Manitou North America, part of the Manitou Group, has engaged SmartEquip to bolster its aftermarket support systems, supporting the acceleration of its North American expansion. Manitou is a global manufacturer and distributor of all-terrain lift trucks headquartered in Ancenis, France.

SmartEquip links equipment manufacturers, dealers and owners to increase equipment utilization and uptime by improving transactional and operational efficiency, delivering intelligent parts identification, up-to-date product support, parts availability and warranty submission. This results in speed, accuracy, and efficiency improvements designed to increase return on investment and improve customer satisfaction.

Based in Waco, Texas, Manitou North America manufactures and distributes vertical mast forklifts, telescopic handlers, truck mounted forklifts and masts to customers throughout the United States and Canada.

SE Parts & Service will be integrated to the company’s Macola Software enterprise resource planning system, providing Manitou North America users the ability to query part availability and pricing, and to place orders quickly and accurately. By simultaneously connecting Manitou business systems in Texas and in Europe, a dealer in the U.S. or Canada can view parts availability from either location in real-time, rendering previous time zone issues irrelevant.

SmartEquip’s venture with Manitou signifies the company’s initial foray into worldwide markets.

“In addition to the work we’re doing here in North America, we look forward to making our technology available to more European companies,” said Alexander Schuessler, SmartEquip chairman and CEO.

SmartEquip’s mission is to provide an industry platform that enables suppliers, distributors and owners to dramatically increase asset productivity while reducing the cost of doing business. The SmartEquip technology platform supports key strategic procurement activities — from equipment and parts, to supplies and services — while bridging the technical exchange between the equipment suppliers and their customers. Manufacturers on the SmartEquip Network include JLG, Mi-T-M, Multiquip, Sakai, Sullair and Wacker.