Alexandre Saubot, CEO of the Haulotte Group was named 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year for the Rhone-Alpes area in France. The award is the French version of a prize given in the United States, and is organized in France by Ernst & Young and L’Entrepreneur Magazine.

The award is given based on the following criteria:

• Sustained volume growth, which has multiplied 2.4 times in three years;
• Sustained profitability improvement, 18.3 percent in 2006;
• Manpower increase, from 695 in 2003 to 1,672 in 2006.

With this regional award, Saubot will be considered on a national level. The national award will be announced in Paris Oct. 16.

In the first half of 2007, Haulotte grew sales volume 31 percent to €310.2 (about U.S. $442 million). Based in France, Haulotte is believed to be the world’s third-largest manufacturer of aerial work platforms.