France · founded 1958

Manitou: the telehandler specialist from France

Manitou invented the rough-terrain forklift in 1958 and is now a global leader in telehandlers for construction, agriculture and industry.

ByAlexey Puzanov Updated Oct 12, 2026 1 min read

Headquarters: Ancenis, France
Founded: 1958
Ownership: Public (Euronext Paris)
Brands: Manitou, Gehl, Mustang by Manitou
Official site: www.manitou-group.com

Model guides

Manitou machines we cover

Telehandlers

Telehandler

Manitou MLT 737

Power: 121 hp
Max. lift capacity: 3,700 kg
Max. lift height: 7 m

Telehandler

Manitou MRT 2550

Weight: 17 t
Max. lift capacity: 5,000 kg
Max. lift height: 25 m

Telehandler

Manitou MT 1840

Weight: 12 t
Max. lift capacity: 4,000 kg
Max. lift height: 17.6 m

Manitou models compared

3 models · click a column to sort


Manitou MLT 737	Telehandler	—	90 kW / 121 hp
Manitou MRT 2550	Telehandler	17,000 kg	—
Manitou MT 1840	Telehandler	12,000 kg	—

Manitou Group is a French manufacturer of material handling equipment and one of the two biggest names in telehandlers worldwide. Its red machines are everywhere on European building sites and farms.

History

In 1958, Marcel Braud built the first rough-terrain forklift by mounting a mast on a tractor at his family's business in Ancenis, near Nantes. The idea became Manitou. The company launched its first telescopic handlers in the early 1980s, later adding rotating telehandlers, aerial work platforms and, through the 2008 acquisition of Gehl in the USA, skid steers and compact loaders.

What Manitou is known for

Construction telehandlers like the MT 1840.
Rotating telehandlers (MRT), which combine a telehandler, a crane and a work platform, such as the MRT 2550.
Agricultural telehandlers like the MLT 737, a favourite on livestock farms.

Manitou and its model names are trademarks of their respective owners. Worksite Machines is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any manufacturer.