For Immediate Release

May 31, 2005

Grove cranes are brand of choice for BDS

"We buy Grove because our experience with the company over the past ten years has been very good," said Guillermo Stanke Harboe, business manager at BDS' Antofagasta location.

Chilean contractor Constructora BDS S.A. has reaffirmed once again that Grove cranes produced by Manitowoc Crane Group are its lifting equipment of choice by purchasing other rough- terrain models, an RT600E and a RT9130. The 45 t (50 USt) and 130 t (120 USt) capacity cranes are the new Groves purchased by BDS in the last 18 months and joined a fleet comprising RT530E and RT650E models.

BDS took delivery of the RT600E and RT9130 at its Antofagasta facility, one of three locations it maintains in Chile. The cranes have been sent to work at surrounding copper mines, with mining and industrial assembly work making up the bulk of BDS’ workload.

Grove rough-terrain cranes, such as the 32 m (105 ft) RT600E, are typically used by BDS customer and state mining operator Codelco (Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile), Minera Collahuasi y Minera Escondida. The versatile movers, models with 4 x 4 x 4 drive/steer capability, are used to erect steel structures and perform maintenance work at the mine.

BDS specified its new 129 kW (165 hp) RTS600E with an engine heater because this crane will spend part of the time operating at Escondida, a copper mine located in the arid, northern Atacama Desert of Chile. The mine, operated by BHP-Billiton, is about 160 km (100 mi) southeast to the port of Antofagasta, at an elevation of 3,050 m (10,000 ft) above sea level.

“We buy Grove because our experience with the company over the past ten years has been very good,” said Guillermo Stanke Harboe, business manager at BDS’ Antofagasta location. “When cranes are operated in extreme conditions such as the Atacama Desert, more failures arise. That’s why it’s important for us to choose suppliers like Grove who deliver superior aftermarket service.”

Additional specifications of the Grove RTS600E include a GVW of 30.6 t (75,000 lb) and a maximum speed of 39 km/h (24 mph). It can be fitted with a jib that measures between 8.8 m and 15.5m (28.8 ft to 50 ft) in addition to its main boom. The model has a gradeability rating of 70%.

High Resolution Photograph (2.15 MB)

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 for 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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