Manitou Group acquires battery maker

Manitou Group, a France-based company that makes material handlers and aerial work platforms, says it has acquired an 82 percent stake in easyLi, a France-based designer and producer of lithium-ion batteries.

“This strategic transaction gives the group specific skills in the context of its energy transition,” Manitou states. In North America, Manitou owns and operates Wisconsin-based mobile material handling brand Gehl.

Founded in 2011, easyLi manufactures and maintains lithium-ion battery systems in electric mobility and stationary energy storage applications. The acquisition allows Manitou Group to extend “its competence with business lines dedicated to R&D and the production and reconditioning of these batteries,” according to the company.

“EasyLi’s expertise adds substantial value to our organization," Manitou President and CEO Michel Denis says. "By internalizing this expertise, we are going to be able to study machine-battery interactions in depth and thus continue to reduce total cost of ownership for our users. This operation is in keeping with our research and development plan to accelerate our energy transition.”

EasyLi founder and CEO François Barsacq adds, “We are proud to be joining Manitou Group. It is a fantastic opportunity to share our know-how internationally on different ranges of handling products, while stepping up our activities in our historical markets of urban electric mobility, on-board energy systems and self-sufficient environments.”