French equipment industry urges greater action on green transition

The France-based organisation for sustainable equipment CAMD - whose members include Kiloutou, Salti, Bouygues Construction, Manitou, JCB, Volvo and Haulotte - has called on the construction industry to redouble its focus on the green transition.

At the 7th Sustainable Equipment Meetings on 27 May in Nanterre, the founding members of CAMD shared their concern that corporate action on climate change has faltered.

The electro retrofit telehandler onsite. (Image: Manitou).

Olivier Colleau, CEO of the Kiloutou Group and President of Communauté des Acteurs du Matériel Durable (CAMD), said, “Ten years after the Paris Agreement, the treaty that was supposed to mark a historic turning point in the fight against climate change has fallen apart.

“Economic, political and geopolitical upheavals have changed the game. We are seeing a decline in ecological thinking.”

These comments were echoed by Benjamin Fremaux, CEO of the IDEX Group -the low-carbon energy infrastructure group - who was guest of honour; “We need to convince our end customers that the cost [of the energy transaition] reflects tangible added value and encourage them to accept it as such.”

Michel Denis, CEO of Manitou Group and Vice-President of CAMD, emphasised the importance of joint action to tackle climate change and referenced the retrofit project carried out with Kiloutou and Bouygues Construction. The partnership has converted diesel powered telehandlers to electric, with a 40% reduction in CO₂ emissions.

“Together we can go further. And that’s what we set out to do when we started the retrofit project in 2023 to collectively create a world first by offering a virtuous solution to extend the service life of a telescopic handler.”

Patrick N’Kodia from Bouygues Construction and Vice-President CAMD, spoke about the importance of a shared sense of purpose and expanding CAMD’s membership; “Let’s look at what we can do at 25 or 30 members and imagine what we could do at 100.

“Our members represent the entire value chain. This is what allows us to take a pragmatic approach, share a common understanding of the challenges we face, and take action that can be implemented by everyone. Today, CAMD has the capacity to act as a network and positively influence the system.”

Key discussions 

Retrofit project. From left: Michel Denis, Manitou Group President & CEO; Olivier Colleau, Kiloutou Group President; Adrien Vacherand, Outdoor Rentals Manager France, Bouygues Construction Matériel; and David Deslots, Project Director Equans France. (Image: Manitou).

The event included a range of discussions and presentations demonstrating the viability of sustainable solutions, including detailed feedback on how electrification has demonstrated that switching to electric power does not compromise equipment performance.

Users reported increased user comfort, sufficient range and no significant operating constraints.

A study on total cost of ownership (TCO) was shared, which offered a broader view of different types of equipment, including aerial platforms, providing companies with new decision-making tools for sustainable investments.

The day provided a platform for five federations representing the sector - DLR, SEIMAT, EVOLIS, FFB and FNTP - which are now united under the name Cinergic. The organisations highlighted the synergy between their work and that of the CAMD to strengthening the collective momentum for transformation in the sector.

There were also themed workshops designed to advance thinking in two strategic areas: equipment sustainability and life cycle - exploring issues related to reconditioning, repair and the life of equipment; and Energy supply and infrastructure – the availability of energy sources like biofuels and hydrogen, infrastructure and charging facilities on site and energy supply chain.

Kiloutou chief “anxious” about global ESG roll-back Olivier Colleau on the CAMD carbon reduction initiative