In reporting its final numbers for 2009, Haulotte Group, L’Horme, France,  said it maintained its European market share, while increasing market share in Asia and the United States. The company’s results were affected by the decline of about 75 percent in volume of the world market of powered access platforms compared to 2008. Haulotte said there was almost no investment by European and American major rental companies during 2009. The company’s net sales were 55 percent lower than in 2008 and net income dropped from €31.9 million (US$43.6 million) in 2008 to a net loss of €55.7 million (US$76.1 million).

According to Haulotte, current operating income was impacted by the negative effect of the volumes on the gross margin, the high level of change in provisions for inventories and trade receivables, and cost of sub-activity of production units. The company said it took actions to decrease fixed costs, which were 27 percent lower in 2009 than 2008 with the same activities, while maintaining research and development.

The company said it is prepared to face a similar year in 2010 and will continue to decrease inventories, contain fixed costs by reorganizing some sales subsidiaries and increase sales efforts in areas with greater potential.