18.03.2004

Manitowoc and Kobelco move another step closer

Manitowoc have announced that they have reached an agreement to supply Grove All-Terrain cranes produced by the Deutsche Grove plant in Wilemshaven, to Kobelco. These Kobelco branded cranes will be sold to Kobelco on an OEM basis for sale exclusively in Japan. The parties intend to introduce four All Terain models under this agreement by 2005, ranging in capacity from 100 to 450 tonnes.

The two companies recently announced an agreement for the supply of Kobelco’s lattice boom crawler cranes to Manitowoc on a similar OEM basis for sale in the Americas under the Manitowoc brand.

This supply of all-terrain cranes will complement the current product line of Kobelco, who are best known for manufacturing and selling lattice boom crawler and telescopic rough terrain cranes on a worldwide basis. Kobelco expect that this extension to its range will provide better access to lifting equipment customers in Japan. Kobelco plans to focus even more on the requirements of lifting equipment users.

Glen Tellock, Manitowoc Crane Group president said, “We are pleased to have Kobelco sell our all-terrain cranes in Japan, since Kobelco has well-established relationships with the major customers of lifting equipment in Japan. This complements our earlier supply agreement for crawler cranes, and we look forward to a continuing business relationship for the benefit of both parties.”

Takashi Ishida, Kobelco Construction Machinery president said, “We are happy to inform our customers in Japan of the supply of these all-terrain cranes that are manufactured by Manitowoc Crane Group. We believe that this introduction of Grove products, which already hold excellent reputation worldwide outside Japan, will satisfy even more of the requirements and provide better benefits for all our customers in Japan.”

Ishida continued, “We are confident with the speed of developing business opportunities with Manitowoc Crane Group. We feel that speed in decision making is essential to better adjust ourselves to the ever rapidly changing business environment, and as a part of this principle, we recently announced the separation of our crane business from our earth moving equipment.”