The Manitou group – supplier of tyre handlers, telehandlers, loaders, forklifts and access platforms amongst other equipment to the mining industry – has recently been rewarded for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach by winning first place in the Gaïa-Index in the industry sector and third place in the category of companies with turnover greater than €500m.

The Gaïa-index is a stock market index composed of the 70 companies that are best rated in CSR matters, amongst 230 companies listed on the Paris Bourse – excluding the CAC 40. The Gaïa-Index benchmark assesses the degree of transparency and maturity of small and medium-sized companies concerning their CSR policies, practices and performance (governance, human capital, environment and relationships with external stakeholders).

Also, as part of the “Inel d’Or” awarded to recognise innovations, Manitou has just received a special award from the jury for its REDUCE program during the International Animal Products Exhibition (SPACE). The REDUCE program supports users in reducing their environmental impact and the total cost of ownership of their machines. This program meets several objectives:

Transparency: by disclosing the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions data for its machines, the group is sharing key economic data with its customers that is essential to their purchase decisions.

Sincerity: in a sector that does not yet have a standardised cycle for calculating fuel consumption, the sincerity of data is essential. The group has therefore requested UTAC (Union Technique de l’Automobile du motocycle et du Cycle) to validate its measurement procedure.

Support to users: the group undertakes to provide services and solutions aiming to improve this dual environmental and economic footprint. 23 tips for reducing consumption are already available.

Continuous improvement of machines: with the systematic integration of energy efficiency from the design phase and the provision of technological solutions such as eco-mode or Stop&Go.

This award from the jury is therefore the recognition, by the profession, of the responsible approach of the group from the design of products to the awareness of end-users. More information can be found at: http://reduce.manitou.com

Michel Denis, President & CEO, stated: “We are very proud of our position in the Gaïa-Index and the special award from the Inel d’Or jury that we have just received at SPACE. This dual recognition confirms that our CSR approach is appropriate and recognises the commitment of all employees who are implementing it. Our CSR approach is fully included in the group’s development strategy. It is both a strong commitment for the future and a driver of performance with which we wish to associate all our stakeholders.”

Since 2012, Manitou says it has been implementing a Corporate Social Responsibility process based on the main priorities of the group and the expectations of its stakeholders. Built around three areas for improvement, the group’s approach aims to offer its customers sustainable solutions that permit them to both reduce their environmental impact and their total cost of ownership; commit all employees to this responsible approach; and establish close partnerships with external stakeholders, particularly its suppliers. “This pragmatic approach promotes tangible achievements that create added and shared value” says the group.