The business Pinguely-Haulotte was recently named the Haulotte Group during the year 2005. The name change was the first time in 124 years the name has not included Pinguely. The Haulotte Group is known for making telescopic work platforms, articulated work platforms, trailer mounted work platforms, vertical mast-work platforms and scissor lifts.
On July 24th, the year 2008 the Haulotte Group acquired Bil-Jax, who was the US' largest scaffold manufacturer. At present, Haulotte Group has three plants in France, one plant in Spain, one in Romania, near the City of Pitesti. There is a new factory that opened during the winter of 2008. This factory is only 1 km away from the existing plant near Pitesti within Arges County. The factory is called Arges II. There are also two factories within the USA, the former Bill-Jax.
Pinguely
The company was established during the year 1881 in Lyon, France by Alexandre Pinguely. The company initially constructed steam locomotives. The company eventually evolved into making machines. In 1892, they provided a train to the Chemin de Fer de St Victor a Thizy.
Pinguely supplied 7 trains to the Voiron-Saint-Beron railway. In terms of numbers produced, Pinguely was not a major steam engine manufacturer. The company provided a steam train to the Chemin de Fer du Haut-Rhone during 1930 and by the year 1932, Pinguely started manufacturing steam shovels. Production of steam locomotives was stopped and the company began focusing instead on mobile cranes and making earthmoving equipment instead.
Haulotte
Arthur Hualotte established the beginnings of Haulotte during the year 1924, when it was referred to as Ateliers de Construction A. Haulotte. This business specialized in the production of mobile cranes, derricks and aerial platforms.
Pinguely-Haulotte
Manufacturing it was decided to be sub-contracted to Pinguely-Haulotte, who was to be responsible for the marketing and engineering, design, research and development. All products were abandoned by Saubot so that the business can focus on self-propelled aerial work platforms.