22.06.2004

Manitowoc sign supply agreement with Shuttlelift

The Manitowoc crane group has singed an agreement with Shuttlelift Inc, for the supply of a line of Shuttlelift built industrial cranes to Manitowoc. The cranes will be sold on an exclusive basis under the Grove product name.

Manitowoc and Shuttlelift expect to introduce seven models of industrial cranes, ranging in capacity from 8.5 to 20 U.S. tons, beginning in the third quarter of 2004. These products will be clearly differentiated from Shuttlelift's existing product line, customised to the needs of Manitowoc customers. They will be available exclusively from Grove outlets world-wide.

Glen Tellock, president of Manitowoc Crane Group, said, "This supply of industrial cranes will complement our current product line and will enhance our world-wide leadership position by allowing us to better serve our global customers and meet their expanding product needs. Shuttlelift's excellent products and industry dedication fit well with Manitowoc's philosophy of providing the best-valued products to our customers. Shuttlelift has a thorough understanding of our market needs, has comprehensive engineering resources, and excellent manufacturing capabilities. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship."

Stephan Pfeifer, President and CEO of Shuttlelift, said, "We are happy to enter into this alliance with Manitowoc Crane Group, whose customer and industry knowledge will help us continue to provide new and innovative products to the marketplace. Manitowoc brings significant scale to Shuttlelift, allowing us to continue to invest in our products, our people, and our future."

Shuttle lift builds industrial carry deck cranes with capacities of up to 20 tons. Incorporated in 1987, Shuttlelift is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marine Travelift, Inc. of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Marine Travelift produce a range of rubber-tired gantry cranes used principally to lift and carry boats, including the worlds largest mobile boat crane with an 800 ton lift capacity, the company has a workforce of 175 and is the global leader in the production of large mobile boat hoists.

History:

The Shuttlelift carrydeck cranes were first introduced by Drott Travelift & Engineering company that was established in 1958. Ed Drott had introduced the first industrial cranes in 1943 .In 1968 JI Case acquired Drott which included a Marine Travelift division. In 1975 case sold the Marine Travelift business to Gerald and Alan Lamer, Gerald, was at the time, chief engineer for the Travelift and Carrydeck division and had been the original project engineer for the Drott Carrydeck cranes.

In 1977 Case launched the first 3330 carrydeck crane with 7.6 ton lift capacity, the 3330 is still produced by Shuttlelift today. In 1988 the Carrydeck business was sold to the Lamers at Marine Travelift Inc and production was moved to Sturgeon bay. Some 6,000 Carrydeck cranes have been built by Drott/Case/Shuttlelift over the past 40 years.

Last year Jim Ashton and Stephan Pfeifer purchased Marine Travelift inc. from the Lamers, Jim Ashton, an entrepreneur from Texas became chairman while Stephan Pfeifer moved to Sturgeon bay and took up the role of President and CEO.

Grove manufacturing entered the crane market with the its original pick and carry crane used for moving farm wagon components around the company’s growing production facility. By the mid 1970’s Grove had a range of seven industrial crane models ranging from two tons to 35 tons lifting capacity.

The Grove industrial range never made an impact in Europe while in North America the company never managed to unseat Drott/Case in this market sector.

Since Manitowoc acquired Grove any serious attempts to market industrial carry deck cranes in Europe have ceased. While this agreement is world-wide, the products will be largely targeted at North America.