Haulotte is constantly innovating to meet the concrete expectations of its users, while enabling them to anticipate market developments and transformations. Cédric Faure (Product Manager Rough Terrain Booms), Hélène Salaville (Industrial Property Manager) and Philippe Luminet (Innovation & Intrapreneurship Program Manager) reveal how innovation is at the heart of the Group’s strategy.
Innovation: a culture driven by collaboration
Since 2011, Haulotte has had an « innovation » structure, with dedicated management and resources. In 2022, the Group launched the « Amplify » program, which aims to reinforce this dynamic.
Philippe Luminet explains: « The aim is to create an ecosystem where all employees can propose initiatives. Supported by a lean but demanding process, these initiatives can grow and evolve through the ideation, exploration and experimentation stages before reaching the market. »
The program also encourages employees to « pitch » their ideas, thus becoming players in the innovation program. This system guarantees concrete commitment on the part of the idea proponents and prioritization of the most promising projects.
From idea to market: Haulotte's methodology
Innovation at Haulotte is based on a robust methodology, combining an analytical framework that identifies and structures customers’ fundamental needs, with phases of exploration and experimentation. Experimentation is a key stage in the process, enabling technological and non-technological concepts to be tested against the realities of the field. Prototypes are tested and challenged by customers to validate their relevance.
As Philippe Luminet explains: « User expectations remain stable, only solutions change, evolve and appear. In this respect, the deployment of our new transport handle is a representative example of a new, concrete and ingenious solution to meet the need for enhanced safety and ergonomics during machine transport phases. »
Focus on the carrying handle: a simple innovation that improves safety
Introduced for the first time on the HA16E electric articulating boom lift launched in summer 2024.
« The transport handle makes loading and unloading of aerial work platforms safer. » Cédric Faure explains.
« When positioning the machine on the carrier, the operator can hold on securely to the machine and engage the ‘dead man’ button with just one hand, thanks to the ergonomically integrated button on the handle. The configuration allows the operator to hold on with one hand, and to have one hand free to engage arm, boom or basket movements. »
Although considered incremental, this innovation has benefited from a patent that protects the idea in several markets.
Hélène Salaville underlines the importance of this patent: « It guarantees Haulotte exclusivity on this innovation, reinforcing our competitive advantage. The absence of any opposition to the patent confirms the novelty and impact of this solution. »
Solutions inspired by the field: innovation on a daily basis
In addition to the carrying handle, Haulotte has introduced several innovations based on customer feedback. These include the removable and interchangeable Range Extender thermal generator, available as an option for electric machines in the PULSEO range.
For example, the HA16 E equipped with the Range Extender benefits from unlimited autonomy, enabling it to work without constraint on all types of worksite, including those without access to the electrical grid. The Range Extender enables the batteries to be recharged while the aerial work platform is in operation, providing 80% battery charge in just 3 hours. The Range Extender is 100% versatile and interchangeable with models in the PULSEO range, which is extremely beneficial for the customer, who can have a single Range Extender and use it on several machines.
« By separating the mechanical architecture from the energy architecture, the Range Extender makes it possible to anticipate future regulatory or technological developments. This innovative patented solution gives our rental customers greater visibility and peace of mind when investing in the PULSEO range, » explains Philippe Luminet.
Another example is the complexity of unloading and transporting electric scissors designed for indoor use on flat ground to their working area. This is even more the case on construction sites with uneven, unstabilized ground. In this situation, fork-lift trucks are used to load and unload the scissors for greater safety. This is why the forks integrated into the scissor frames facilitate handling – a simple idea, protected by a patent, but essential for operators.
Anticipate market trends and regulatory developments
Haulotte is also at the forefront of technological and regulatory trends. Electrification, telematics and the integration of emerging technologies such as fuel cells or AI are at the heart of its future developments. Connected tools, for example, enable real-time management of machine fleets, meeting customers’ growing expectations for better management and optimization of their fleet operations, leading to increased productivity.
In terms of operator safety, the launch of FASTN complements solutions already available, such as the Activ’Shield Bar, confirming Haulotte’s leadership in this field.
The emergence of robotic systems to minimize human presence at height has been a striking trend in recent years, notes Hélène Salaville. « There’s a rise in patents relating to the transformation of aerial work platforms into robotic platforms, and this could come to redefine the sector. »
Sustainable innovation and environmental commitments
Finally, Haulotte incorporates sustainable solutions into its innovations. The importance of recyclability in machine design, as mentioned in a previous article, and the development of modular products, such as the Range Extender, reduce the carbon footprint of machines while extending their service life. These efforts align Haulotte with the growing environmental objectives of its customers.
At Haulotte, innovation is not just a question of technology, but above all a response to user needs. Whether it’s to facilitate machine transportation, improve productivity or reduce environmental impact, each innovation reflects the Group’s ability to transform ideas into concrete solutions. With programs like « Amplify », Haulotte has established itself as a key player in innovation in the aerial work platform sector.