In 2002, when Manitowoc acquired Grove who owned National Crane, it was ruled by US Federal Regulators that for the merger to happen either the Manitex or National boom truck line had to be sold to ensure a viable competitor after the sale.  

At the time Manitex only accounted for 4% of the total crane sales of Manitowoc and was sold to Quantum Heavy Equipment, a subsidiary of the investment fund Quantum Value Partners. 

Manitex was originally established in 1983 as diversification by the Manitowoc Company Inc. Manitex was set up to make telescopic boom cranes mounted on a commercial truck chassis, commonly known as boom trucks in North America.  Manitex acquired boom truck manufacturers USTC in 1998 and Pioneer in 2000.  Some current Manitex boom trucks in production are based on Manitowoc stand-up control designs.