This change is the result of a reflection of several months the necessity of which is emphasised by the events which took place at the end of 2008; the contraction of the orderbook on a world-level, the acquisition of GEHL in the United States, the urge for a clear and efficient organisation, call for a management both global and reactive at the Head of the Group, allowing MANITOU to better adapt to its new environment and to consolidate its leadership.
This decision, which mirrors the wish of the founding Family to concentrate on the governance of the company, as well as on its strategy, will be coupled with a return to a legal structure based on a Board of Directors, both simpler and more efficient on a operational point of view. This new organisation-scheme in which Mr. Marcel Braud will become non-executive Chairman of the Board and Mr. Jean-Christophe Giroux will continue as the Chief Executive Officer, will be submitted –after all legal details have been finalised– to the approbation of an Extraordinary General Assembly of MANITOU shareholders which will be called in autumn.
Jean-Christophe Giroux
Jean-Christophe Giroux has been since 1997 with ALCATEL-LUCENT, where he was until recently Chairman & CEO of ALCATEL-LUCENT France, and Chief Operating Officer for the Europe & South region (2006-2008). Previously Jean-Christophe Giroux has been President, Enterprise Solutions Division (2003-2006), Chairman & CEO of ALCATEL Optronics (2000-2003) which he took public on the Paris and Nasdaq stock exchanges as the first European tracking stock. Jean-Christophe Giroux joined ALCATEL in 1997 as Vice President, Financial Operations, in charge or Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions. Prior to that, Jean-Christophe Giroux has been working in investment banking with LAZARD (1991- 1997) and in auditing with MAZARS & GUERARD (1989-1991). Jean-Christophe Giroux holds a Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) degree.
Further information is available at www.manitou.com
