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Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd. and Manitowoc Crane Group, a business
entity of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. announced an agreement
for Kobelco to manufacture and supply a range of lattice-boom
crawler cranes to be sold in Europe by Manitowoc Crane Group.
The agreement covers a range of Kobelco-manufactured cranes
under 110 metric tons, with sales beginning in Europe in the
third quarter of 2005. All new models will be branded as Manitowoc
cranes and will be sold and supported under Manitowoc's existing
distribution network. Kobelco will continue to sell and support
its current complete crawler crane product line under its
European distribution system.
This new supply agreement complements a series of previously
announced agreements between the two companies, which allow
both companies to better serve their respective markets and
customers. Under this business relationship, Kobelco supplies
certain lattice-boom crawler cranes for distribution in North
America under the Manitowoc brand, and Manitowoc supplies
certain all-terrain cranes for distribution in Japan under
the Kobelco brand.
Glen Tellock, Manitowoc Crane Group president, said: "Manitowoc
Crane Group is very excited about our expanding and successful
relationship with Kobelco Cranes. The fact is that both companies
have a similar outlook on customers, products, and service.
These similarities have allowed us together to find ways to
better serve our customers."
Takashi Ishida, Kobelco Cranes president, remarked: "We
recently held a launching ceremony for Kobelco branded all-terrain
cranes for the Japanese market, supplied by Manitowoc. Our
customers are showing good response to the newly introduced
models. I truly believe that Manitowoc is the best alliance
partner in the industry."
About Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd.
Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd. is one of Japan fs largest
manufacturers of lifting equipment. The company started in
1930 as a division of Kobe Steel and produced the first ever
piece of construction machinery built in Japan, an electric
mining shovel. Today it manufactures a wide range of models
sold all over the world. Formerly the crane division of Kobelco
Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., Kobelco Cranes became an
independent company last year and a 100% owned subsidiary
of Kobe Steel, Ltd. It manufactures a range of crawler cranes
from 35 metric tons to 800 metric tons capacity and also supplies
rough terrain mobile cranes.
About the Manitowoc Company
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is one of the world's largest
providers of lifting equipment for the global construction
industry, including lattice-boom cranes, tower cranes, mobile
telescopic cranes, and boom trucks. As a leading manufacturer
of ice-cube machines, ice/beverage dispensers, and commercial
refrigeration equipment, the company offers the broadest line
of cold-focused equipment in the foodservice industry. In
addition, the company is a leading provider of shipbuilding,
ship repair, and conversion services for government, military,
and commercial customers throughout the U.S. maritime industry.
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