30.10.2001

Manitowoc Crane Group leadership team is announced

The Manitowoc Company’s May 9, 2001, acquisition of French tower crane manufacturer Potain S.A. doubled the size of the Manitowoc Crane Group and "required that an experienced team manage the functions of sales and marketing, finance, operations and manufacturing and strategic supply on a worldwide basis" said Manitowoc in an official announcement. Following is the unedited text of the official announcement from Manitowoc listing the members of the Manitowoc Crane Group new leadership team:

Rob Giebel, remains president and general manager of the crane group, overseeing all worldwide operations. All those listed below report to Giebel.

Jean-Yves Bouffault, remains Potain’s chief executive officer, and has been named executive vice president for Manitowoc Crane Group. His role is to provide channel input into strategic issues affecting Manitowoc’s worldwide crane business. He will also guide all crane group activity in Europe and Asia via the Potain network.

Larry Weyers, has been promoted to senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Manitowoc Crane Group, and will coordinate all sales and marketing activities for Potain, Manitowoc Cranes and Manitowoc Boom Trucks worldwide.

Dick Schafroth, has been promoted to the position of vice president of operations. In his role, he will coordinate all of the Manitowoc Crane Group’s manufacturing operations worldwide. A key part of his role is developing best practices for manufacturing standards and capturing efficiencies among the crane group’s worldwide operations.

John Vandy, has been named vice president of product support and will be responsible for parts, service and technical training at the crane group level. He is responsible to identify innovative ways to increase the worldwide sales of parts and product support levels for all of the Manitowoc Crane Group’s companies.

Thomas LaFontain has been named controller. He is in charge of consolidating the financial reporting for all of the Manitowoc Crane Group companies.

Michael Upton, has been named vice president of strategic supply. His role is to capitalize on the purchasing synergies between the Manitowoc Crane Group companies and drive down costs and inventory levels related to manufacturing.

The following are two other appointments that have recently occurred:

Bruce Buchan, has been promoted to vice president of crane sales and marketing, taking over the former duties of Larry Weyers. Buchan oversees the sale of all Manitowoc Crane Group products in North America.

Fred Jakobek has been named director, strategic supply for Manitowoc Cranes, Inc. and will focus on the manufacturing and supporting of crawler cranes and tower cranes in North America. Fred will be responsible for strategic supply and purchasing to support both the North American manufacturing and aftermarket needs in addition to spare parts distribution, customer service and parts marketing.