Strong performance during the last three months of the year (8% increase in sales to €333 million) helped Manitou to increase total 2015 sales by 3% to €1.287 billion.  European demand and business activity saw a strong increase throughout all regions, especially Russia which, according to president and CEO Michel Denis, seems to have left its low point behind, while France benefitted from a slightly improved business environment. Manitou’s performance has increased steadily during the past two years, 2014 net sales of €1.246 billion up 7% on 2013’s figure. The company forecasts a further 2-3% increase during 2016, but still has a lot of work to do too reach the ambitious target announced by the Manitou top man at the French SIMA show last year of €1.5 billion by 2018.