France Elévateur to produce for Ruthmann and Versalift

The vehicle mount manufacturer, which has traditionally specialised in vehicle mounts for the utility industry and other specialist sectors held its landmark event for customers and employees on Friday and Saturday last week.

The 40th anniversary celebrations at France Elévateur’s headquarters.

The production falls in line with US-based parent company Time Manufacturing Company’s plans to optimise the business across the multiple European brands that it now owns. It also coincides with the group’s decision to merge the three Versalift divisions in Europe, announced earlier this month. 

In addition, the arrangement eases long lead times at Ruthmann and Versalift caused by a lack of capacity at their Germany and Denmark-based facilities, as well as providing an answer to the production space that has become available at France Elévateur since the end of the telecoms boom in France and the country’s wider economic downturn.

The official opening of the Ruthmann assembly plant at France Elévateur.

The Flavigny-sur-Moselle plant has become the first site to host production from all three of the European brands in the Time group.

“This operation strengthens the synergies between the group’s brands and marks a significant step in our commitment to innovation, quality and growth,” said the company.

The new Ruthmann lines in France will assemble kits for T230 XS, T300 XS and T330 XS models that will be transported to Ruthmann’s headquarters where they will be mounted on 7.5 tonne trucks. The company added, “This integration will allow Ruthmann to provide more capacity and shorter lead times for machine in 2025.”

In contrast, the new Versalift assembly line was first was set up to fulfil an order from a major French customer and will focus on pre-assembled VDTL-135, VDTL-150-F and VDTL-160-F models that are mounted on vans or chassis at the France Elévateur.

From left: Martin Christiansen, managing director Versalift Europe; Roman Rariy, CEO, Time Manufacturing Company; Charles Goffin, managing director, France Elévateur and Uwe Strotmann, managing director, Ruthmann, at the 40th anniversary celebrations.

“This improvement will enable us to respond even mofe effectively to market demand while maintaining our high standards of quality and safety.” 

In contrast, the new Ruthmann lines in France will assemble kits for T230 XS, T300 XS and T330 XS models that will be transported to Ruthmann’s headquarters where they will be mounted on 7.5 tonne trucks. The company added, “This integration will allow Ruthmann to provide more capacity and shorter lead times for machine in 2025.”

Read a full interview with Time’s CEO Roman Rariy, (pictured left), about the group’s plans for the new production capabilities, along with its ambitions in Europe, the US and globally. Soon to be published.