Haulotte Sales Flat in First Half Despite 8% North America Jump

France-based aerial work platform manufacturer Haulotte posted €207 million (about U.S. million) in sales for the first half of 2015 compared to €207.2 million for the same period in 2014. Sales increased 8 percent in North America and 17 percent in Asia, offsetting a decline in Europe of 13 percent in the period, the result of what Haulotte called a “wait and see” attitude from major European rental companies.

The first half was also difficult in Latin America, where sales plunged 34 percent.

Overall, operating income was up 33 percent, driven by strong currency effects. Current operating income, representing 5.2 percent of sales, was impacted by increasingly competitive intensity with prices not yet reflecting changes in exchange rates. Haulotte said it faced higher fixed costs because of continued focus on the group’s strategic axis of development, particularly innovation.

The company expects that strong commercial activity during the summer and favorable exchange rates between the euro and the dollar will allow Haulotte Group to increase sales by 5 percent in 2015 with an operating margin rate in line with what the company delivered in 2014.

Haulotte Group is headquartered in L’Horme, France, with U.S. headquarters in Archbold, Ohio.