Interview with Benoît Stanislas, Supply Chain Project Manager at Manitou Group

About Manitou Group

Manitou Group, a global leader in material-handling and people-lifting equipment, has upgraded its spare parts warehouse in Ancenis (France). The company has implemented Easy WMS, a Shuttle System for 20,000 totes, pick stations and box conveyors. Process automation has markedly increased storage capacity and accelerated order fulfilment.

Mecalux sits down with Benoît Stanislas, Supply Chain Project Manager at Manitou Group. The material-handling, people-lifting and earthmoving equipment specialist has maximised storage capacity and order fulfilment efficiency with several solutions.

• What role does logistics play in Manitou Group’s strategy?

  It’s critical — and one of the key differentiators of our business. From our warehouse, we supply spare parts for the machines we manufacture to our dealers. When an unexpected breakdown occurs, their technicians must respond as quickly as possible. We need to ship the right part immediately to resolve the issue. This level of service is one of our competitive advantages and what sets us apart.

• Why did you decide to automate your processes?

  We chose automation to boost productivity. Our goal was to increase storage capacity within a limited space and speed up order fulfilment. We opted for the Shuttle System, high-performance pick stations, box conveyors and Easy WMS because they addressed our operational inefficiencies. Despite our high inventory density, the Mecalux team gave us the reassurance we needed throughout the project and during implementation.

• What results have you achieved with these systems?

  First, we’ve gained space. Every time we launch a new machine, we need to store new parts — and we introduce new models every year. So, increasing storage density while maintaining high logistics throughput was essential. At the same time, we’re committed to shipping all orders received before 5:00 p.m. by 7:00 p.m. That translates to same-day fulfilment. Speed is critical to meet this requirement, and our high-performance pick stations deliver exactly that.

  Our goal was to increase storage capacity within a limited space and speed up order fulfilment

• Why did you choose Mecalux for this project?

  Mecalux is a renowned leader, highly regarded for its industry reputation. During the pre-sales phase, we had the opportunity to meet the project team, which gave us a great deal of confidence. They made an excellent impression by thoroughly understanding our needs and aligning their solutions with our expectations. We continue to exchange information almost daily, and we have total peace of mind knowing that Mecalux will be at our side for any future challenges. Their experts are always on hand to support us.

• How has the Shuttle System transformed Manitou Group’s operations?

  Now, warehouse operators receive the items they need directly through the automated storage and retrieval system. Once inbound checks are completed, the associate places the items back onto the conveyor, which transports them to the front of the AS/RS. There, the Shuttle System assigns an aisle and storage location. This approach eliminates interruptions between receiving and putaway. Next, we verify orders using Easy WMS, the software that manages the Shuttle System. It organises inventory based on user needs and directs items to the pick stations, where orders are filled. Finally, the tote containing the completed order is returned to the conveyor for packing, labelling and shipping. Using the Shuttle System has substantially increased our storage capacity.

• How did operators respond to this new system?

  

  It was a major change, but we involved them from the very beginning. They helped design the ergonomics of the pick stations, and now they’re more comfortable and satisfied thanks to the improved setup. We’ve also considerably reduced training time. The high-performance pick stations are very easy to learn how to use. Operators can get up to speed in as little as 30 minutes. In addition to streamlining the process, this efficiency ensures we can meet our productivity targets and expected ROI. The same is true for Easy WMS, which is an intuitive, user-friendly tool.

• What are Manitou Group’s future plans?

  We’ve recently launched our new strategic plan for 2026–2030, called “LIFT”. It features an operating model structured around three regions: Europe, North America, and a third region covering Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. This allows us to tailor our products and services to local market needs. Our goal is for 28% of machines sold to be electric by 2030, reflecting our commitment to accelerating the energy transition and delivering more sustainable solutions.

  In the spare parts sector, we also face significant challenges in ensuring top-tier service for our customers. As part of our continuous improvement initiative, we’re further optimising lead times to reduce machinery downtime for our clients. Furthermore, we remain committed to maximising storage space efficiency across our seven logistics centres worldwide.