Haulotte Group, L'Horme, France, reported first-half 2010 revenue of €144.4 million (US$147.4 million), an improvement of 15 percent over the first half of 2009, and a net loss of €16 million (US$20.6 million), which was an improvement from the €32.1 million (US$41.4 million) loss in the first half of last year.

The company said despite the better trade volumes, its operating margin was negatively impacted by the low level of production activity and depreciation of its current assets. Cost reduction plans continued through the first half of the year and reduced the company’s fixed costs by 8 percent.

The company says the world market is not expected to significantly recover over the entire year 2010, due to a further difficult year for many of its rental customers. Haulotte says it will pursue action to continue to optimize its structures and maintain its research and development efforts to prepare for the future.