Manitowoc/Potain integration begins in Singapore…

Manitowoc Crane Group has unveiled plans for Manitowoc Potain Singapore PTE Ltd as a first step in its global integration with Potain.

Manitowoc’s purchase of the French tower crane manufacturer Potain became final in May. The Manitowoc Potain Singapore operation will be the first to combine the sales and services structures of the two companies in one market. It is also likely to be the model for how other markets will be integrated in the future, said Larry Weyers, Manitowoc Crane Group senior vice president of sales and marketing.

‘We chose to begin our integration of the companies in Asia because our companies had very similar business operations there,’ Weyers said.

Under the plan, the Singapore base will act as the headquarters for Asia with sales, service and administrative functions all located there. It will manage divisions in China, Korea, Australia and the Philippines.

As part of the restructuring, the sales and service of crane products in Asia is switching from distributor-based to a factory direct method. All of Manitowoc’s and Potain’s employees are to be located in a new headquarters.

Eric Etchart, managing director for all Potain operations in the Asia region including the Chinese manufacturing facility, becomes the director of the Asia Pacific Region for Manitowoc Potain.

‘It’s going to be very beneficial for Manitowoc products because the trend right now is to market products directly. Customers will like to work directly with Manitowoc and Potain,’ according to Etchart.

…and Manitowoc sends Lanning to France

John Lanning, Manitowoc’s senior vice president of application engineering, has been given a key role to maximise the benefits of the Potain acquisition. Lanning has moved to France, where he will be based at Potain’s self-erecting crane factory in Charlieu. His brief will be to provide technical liaison between the two companies.

Specifically, he has been instructed to facilitate the manufacturing of Potain tower cranes in the USA and Manitowoc crawler and truck-mounted cranes in Europe. He is also responsible for helping each company to adopt the best practices of the other and for promoting cultural understanding between employees in the USA and in France.