The cross-distribution agreement will add HD Construction Equipment-engineered products to Manitou and GEHL portfolios, while HD Construction Equipment will use Manitou Group’s compact equipment expertise to strengthen its own global offer.
Manitou Group and HD Construction Equipment have signed a cross-distribution partnership agreement aimed at expanding both companies’ presence in the global construction equipment market, with a particular focus on dedicated compact ranges.
The agreement, announced in Ancenis, France, on September 21, 2026, gives both manufacturers a broader route to market at a time when product coverage, dealer support and compact equipment availability remain central to the competitiveness of construction machinery suppliers worldwide.
For Manitou Group, the partnership will expand its portfolio of compact solutions through product lines engineered by HD Construction Equipment. These machines will be marketed internationally under the Manitou and GEHL brands through Manitou Group’s dealer network, which will also provide the related product support and services.
For HD Construction Equipment, the agreement opens access to Manitou Group’s engineering and manufacturing expertise in compact equipment. The company will use that expertise to enhance its own product catalog across its global distribution network, with the aim of strengthening its position in compact construction equipment.
The move is framed by both companies as a way to broaden product lineups and create new commercial opportunities in the construction equipment sector. According to the announcement, the activity is expected to contribute around 5% of Manitou Group’s total sales by 2030.
That target gives the partnership a clear business dimension beyond simple portfolio expansion. For Manitou Group, it supports the company’s strategy to accelerate growth in compact equipment ranges. For HD Construction Equipment, it offers a path to reinforce its compact machinery offering and increase its global presence through an expanded range.
Sylvain Blaise, President & CEO of Manitou Group, said the agreement fits directly with the company’s growth strategy in compact equipment:
“This agreement fully aligns with our strategic roadmap aimed at accelerating our growth in compact equipment ranges. By combining the industrial excellence and innovative capabilities of two major industry leaders. This alliance allows us not only to reach a new milestone in product line expansion, but also to deliver enhanced value to our dealer network and customers worldwide.”
The dealer network element is central to the announcement. The products incorporated into the Manitou and GEHL ranges will not only be distributed internationally but also supported through Manitou Group’s existing service structure. For contractors, rental companies and fleet owners, that support layer is often as important as the machine itself, particularly when adding new compact equipment categories to a fleet.
Jaeyoung Moon, President & CEO of HD Construction Equipment, described the partnership as a broader growth opportunity rather than only a product-line extension:
“This partnership is more than just enhancing our product lines; it opens up important new growth opportunities through significant market expansion. By bringing together our strengths, we will boost the competitiveness of our compact products and enhance our global presence.”
He said.
The agreement brings together Manitou Group’s position in handling, aerial work platforms and earthmoving with HD Construction Equipment’s construction machinery portfolio, which also includes engines and aftermarket services.
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