04.12.2022

Eric Guiot 1946-2022

We have only just received the news that Eric Guiot former chief executive of French rental company Salti, passed away on November 7th, he was 76.
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Eric Guiot

Based on the edge of Lille, family owned Salti was founded in 1950 by Eric’s father and then managed by his mother until he and his brother Alain, took over the business in 1976. Under his time at the helm the business became a pioneer of the French self-propelled rental market, when it was still very much a niche product. Eric stepped down from the day to day management of the business in 2011, handing over to a third generation. He was also an active participant in the French rental association DLR. Today the business operates from 40 locations with 400 employees and a fleet that includes fixed and 360 degree telehandlers, all types of aerial lifts and spider cranes.

He leaves behind wife Isabelle, daughter Valentine and several step children.

Eric Guiot was a very special character, a canny negotiator, but one who believed in fairness and most importantly had a most wonderful sense of humour. It was not unusual to leave the premises without an order in your hand, but you would never regret the visit and would often get a second chance to close the deal over the next week or two. If not there was always another deal to be done and they invariably required a visit.

A thoroughly decent man, he will be sadly missed by the many people who knew and worked with him.