Manitou to close plant in Texas, US

Manitou Group has announced it will cease operations at its Waco, Texas facility in March 2021. The shutdown will see 148 employees laid off.

Manitou produces articulated loaders and forklifts at its Waco facility, which the company said it will consolidate and move to various global facilities. Forklift production will move to Beaupréau, France and articulated loaders will be manufactured in Yankton, South Dakota. Imports for North America will be concentrated in Baltimore, the company said.

In a statement, Manitou said 50 positions will be created in South Dakokta. 

”The rationalization of [Manitou’s] U.S. footprint and a streamlined operation will allow the Group to boost its performances to always maintain innovation and service to U.S. customers for the future,” it said. ”Strengthening the Manitou Group position in the U.S. remains its key market strategy target.”

“Our priority now is to assist our 148 employees based in Waco with job searches, including providing resume assistance and connecting employees to resources offered by the Texas Workforce Commission,” said Alexandre Caharel, VP of the Compact & Articulated Loaders PU.