Manitou has opened a new final inspection facility, complete with eight integrated loading docks for the machines that it manufactures at its plant in Ancenis, France.
The investment is part of an overall project to redevelop its French plants with the aim of improving working conditions for employees and suppliers, increasing productivity and safety, and ensuring the highest product quality standards. The loading docks are all completely undercover, making loading on all types of delivery trucks safer and more efficient with full protection from the elements.
The new 2,500 square metre €3.7 million facility includes more than 1,300 square metres of rooftop solar panels and is staffed by 30 employees with the capacity to ship around 50 machines a day. It was formally opened yesterday with an event attended by local dignitaries and media.
Group transport and customs manager David Bechemilh said: “We’ve redesigned our flow management to improve safety on a site where pedestrians, forklift drivers and trucks cross paths. These new facilities give us a more defined perimeter, so that the different flows no longer intersect. Local logistics teams have also equipped the docks with reinforced security systems.”