The Manitou Group has closed its operations in France until the end of this month to limit the spread of the Corona (Covid-19) virus.

The closure affects all the company’s French operations, including the MLT telehandler facility at Ancenis. The shut down excludes spare parts, which will continue to be available for all Manitou products in all countries, customer support and some central functions.

Manitou UK in Dorset remains open for business and all new UK and Irish machines will be delivered providing they were dispatched from France before last Wednesday, when the plant closed.

It is still unclear when the French production sites will resume production. All options are on the table, is the message, and a decision will be made following an expected announcement from the French government later this week.

The Manitou Group is currently unable to determine the overall impact that this crisis will have on its financial results.

The company posted revenues of €2.1 billion in 2019, 79% of which was generated internationally. The group currently has 30 companies and 4,600 employees.

The Gehl plant at West Bend in the US remains open.