Manufacturer Manitou has presented a good third quarter performance with a +5% increase in sales to 鈧�295 million, compared to the third quarter of 2013. Year-to-date sales up to September 30, 2014 stood at 鈧�937 million, a +7% increase on the same time last year.

Order intake on equipment showed marginal growth at 鈧�207 million for Q3 2014, compared with 鈧�192 million for the third quarter of 2013. Order backlog remained steady at 鈧�268 million as at September 30 2014, compared to 鈧�271 million in Q3 2013.

With sales of 鈧�182.2 million, the Material Handling and Access Division (MHA) reported a decrease of -1% compared to Q3 2013. In the construction sector, business growth continued to benefit from demand within the rental market. In the agricultural sector, the decrease in order intake in the first half-year period resulted in a slight decrease in sales.

The new Compact Equipment Products division (CEP) reported an increase of +31% in sales compared to Q3 2013, at 鈧�62.1 million. Business for this sector remained very strong in the US with a rebound in order intake.

The Services and Solutions Division (S&S) reported an increase of +2% in its sales compared to Q3 2013, at 鈧�51.2 million.

Michel Denis, president & CEO, said, "Good performance in the third quarter now permits us to confirm our expected growth in 2014 sales of +5%. Order intake in Q3 highlighted acceleration in North America and a slowdown in Europe. The economic environment remains contrasted with little visibility. The agricultural sector is declining, as is business throughout the regions impacted by economic or political crises, such as Russia and Latin America. The pockets of growth are mainly concentrated in the UK and the USA, which alone represent almost a third of group sales.

鈥淔rom an operational perspective, the improvement reported in the first half continued with a good production flow and efficiency and a strengthened level of inventory to confront the traditional seasonality of our business and best meet the requirements of rental companies towards the end of the year.鈥�