Hundreds of festivals, concerts and large-scale events take shape every year thanks to meticulous planning and the right equipment. To meet these demanding requirements, Kiloutou is able to coordinate all the technical needs of a project. Interview with Olivier Boivin, Director of Kiloutou Sport & Event.
A single point of contact for complex projects
Organising a festival or major event requires coordinating numerous stakeholders, managing multiple logistical constraints and working within extremely tight schedules. To simplify this process, Kiloutou launched a dedicated commercial division in 2025: Kiloutou Sport & Event.
As Olivier Boivin, Director of Kiloutou Sport & Event, explains, the objective is above all to make life easier for event organisers: "We provide event customers with a dedicated offer and a single point of contact."
Behind this approach lies centralised access to the Group’s full range of expertise, covering both general equipment offerings (small tools and access equipment) and specialist solutions (power generation, modular buildings, traffic management, heating and cooling systems).
Behind this approach lies centralised access to the Group’s full range of expertise, covering both general equipment offerings (small tools and access equipment) and specialist solutions (power generation, modular buildings, traffic management, heating and cooling systems).
"Customers are looking for someone capable of handling every change that comes their way. When there is a single point of contact responsible for all the equipment, it makes things much easier for them."
Thanks to this organisation, Kiloutou Sport & Event supports several hundred events every year, from local festivals to some of the world’s largest international gatherings.
Thanks to this organisation, Kiloutou Sport & Event supports several hundred events every year, from local festivals to some of the world’s largest international gatherings.
In the events industry, every minute counts
The events sector comes with its own set of challenges. Delivery windows can sometimes be limited to just a few minutes, installations must be completed by a fixed deadline, and there is little room for unexpected issues.
"The events industry demands exceptional precision in logistics, lead times, scheduling and responsiveness. There is no margin for error,"; emphasises Olivier Boivin.
To meet these expectations, everything is planned in advance. Equipment can be delivered the day before or during the night, backup solutions are prepared, and teams remain on call whenever needed. "Customers rely on us to ensure there are no mistakes. Anything can happen, but our role is to prepare solutions before a problem even occurs."
"The events industry demands exceptional precision in logistics, lead times, scheduling and responsiveness. There is no margin for error,"; emphasises Olivier Boivin.
To meet these expectations, everything is planned in advance. Equipment can be delivered the day before or during the night, backup solutions are prepared, and teams remain on call whenever needed. "Customers rely on us to ensure there are no mistakes. Anything can happen, but our role is to prepare solutions before a problem even occurs."
This ability to anticipate challenges is essential at events where even a minor delay can impact the entire logistics chain.
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Access platforms: discreet but essential
Long before visitors arrive, technical teams move onto site to build the infrastructure that will bring the event to life. "Customers rely on access platforms to install lighting rigs, sound systems, cameras and giant screens. It is a requirement we see at almost every event," explains Olivier Boivin.
Depending on the project, Kiloutou Sport & Event deploys a wide range of machines, including scissor lifts, vertical mast lifts and articulated boom lifts. Some operations even require several machines working simultaneously to position large-scale equipment.
"Customers often focus first on working height. However, outreach can sometimes be the determining factor," notes Olivier Boivin.
"Customers often focus first on working height. However, outreach can sometimes be the determining factor," notes Olivier Boivin.
On a recent project, teams needed to reach a work area located 8 metres high, but the intervention point was nearly 20 metres away horizontally.
"While it might initially have appeared that a 12-metre platform would be sufficient, we ultimately recommended a Haulotte HA32 RTJ PRO, 32-metre articulated boom lift. It was the most suitable solution to reach the work area safely."
The breadth of the Haulotte range enables teams to respond quickly to unexpected or highly specific site constraints.
"While it might initially have appeared that a 12-metre platform would be sufficient, we ultimately recommended a Haulotte HA32 RTJ PRO, 32-metre articulated boom lift. It was the most suitable solution to reach the work area safely."
The breadth of the Haulotte range enables teams to respond quickly to unexpected or highly specific site constraints.
Reliability: a critical condition for event success
An unexpected breakdown or period of downtime can quickly impact an entire event. Equipment must be operational as soon as it arrives on site and continue performing throughout the installation phase.
For Olivier Boivin, this is precisely why Haulotte occupies such an important place within rental fleets dedicated to the events industry: "Our customers need highly reliable equipment. Haulotte enjoys a reputation for robustness and reliability that is widely recognised across our industry."
This reputation matters for both end users and rental professionals. "Before being added to our rental fleet, all equipment made available to customers is tested at our Test Center, a unique facility in Europe that allows us to verify machine reliability. It is a guarantee of quality for our customers, and Haulotte is one of the brands with which we have built strong relationships."
For Olivier Boivin, this is precisely why Haulotte occupies such an important place within rental fleets dedicated to the events industry: "Our customers need highly reliable equipment. Haulotte enjoys a reputation for robustness and reliability that is widely recognised across our industry."
This reputation matters for both end users and rental professionals. "Before being added to our rental fleet, all equipment made available to customers is tested at our Test Center, a unique facility in Europe that allows us to verify machine reliability. It is a guarantee of quality for our customers, and Haulotte is one of the brands with which we have built strong relationships."
Whether they are used to install structures, lighting systems, giant screens or audiovisual equipment, the robustness of Haulotte machines contributes directly to keeping projects on schedule and operations running smoothly.
For Kiloutou, the relationship with the manufacturer is equally important. "We need flawless responsiveness,"; explains Olivier Boivin. "When you have a manufacturer capable of responding quickly and helping us overcome a complex situation, that responsiveness makes all the difference."
Technical support services and specialist hotlines provide valuable assistance when teams are working on events where every minute matters. As machines become increasingly connected, the ability to obtain a rapid diagnosis or immediate support has become a real advantage in ensuring operational continuity.
More sustainable events and more compact equipment
The expectations of event organisers continue to evolve, as do those of local authorities and venue operators. Environmental requirements now play a key role in many project specifications.
"Today, demand for electric equipment has become the norm on many event sites. Some municipalities and venues now even require the exclusive use of electric machines," notes Olivier Boivin.
This trend is also driving demand for lighter and more compact equipment. Temporary flooring systems, sensitive ground conditions and heritage sites can all create strict weight limitations.
"Customers are increasingly asking for access equipment that is extremely lightweight and highly versatile. Every kilogram saved can make the difference between accessing a site or not."
"Today, demand for electric equipment has become the norm on many event sites. Some municipalities and venues now even require the exclusive use of electric machines," notes Olivier Boivin.
This trend is also driving demand for lighter and more compact equipment. Temporary flooring systems, sensitive ground conditions and heritage sites can all create strict weight limitations.
"Customers are increasingly asking for access equipment that is extremely lightweight and highly versatile. Every kilogram saved can make the difference between accessing a site or not."
Making the magic happen
For festivalgoers, everything appears ready the moment the gates open. Yet behind just a few days of entertainment lie months of preparation, hundreds of professionals and a succession of carefully coordinated logistical operations.
"The public does not realise the scale of the technical and human resources involved. That is precisely the magic of an event: creating the impression that everything appeared effortlessly."
"The public does not realise the scale of the technical and human resources involved. That is precisely the magic of an event: creating the impression that everything appeared effortlessly."
From the earliest site preparation works through to final dismantling, Haulotte access platforms support every stage of the project. Their reliability, robustness and ability to adapt to a wide variety of site configurations make them valuable allies for Kiloutou teams.
As Olivier Boivin concludes: "Behind every stage, every screen and every installation, there is a carefully orchestrated ballet of machines and professionals. Haulotte is part of the magic that transforms months of preparation into unforgettable experiences for thousands of festivalgoers."
As Olivier Boivin concludes: "Behind every stage, every screen and every installation, there is a carefully orchestrated ballet of machines and professionals. Haulotte is part of the magic that transforms months of preparation into unforgettable experiences for thousands of festivalgoers."
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