For Immediate Release

13 October, 2005

Manitowoc Crane Group opens mobile-crane manufacturing facility in Niella Tanaro, Italy

Manitowoc Crane Group has opened a new Grove mobile crane production plant in Northwest Italy, close to the city of Turin. The new factory has been built as an extension to the existing Potain self-erecting crane facility at Niella Tanaro. The next factory will initially employ more than 30 people. It is the first plant manufacturing Grove products in Southern Europe.

The factory began production in August but the official inauguration ceremony was held today. More than 200 people attended the event, including major Italian and international crane dealers, as well as Italian crane rental companies and construction contractors. Also in attending were senior management from MCG, including plant managers from the company’s production facilities elsewhere in Europe as well as personnel from the US-based headquarters.

Manitowoc Crane Group is building rough-terrain (RT) mobile cranes in the first year and will also assemble some of the smaller GMK all-terrains. The first RT models to roll off the Niella production line are 30 t (30 USt) RT530 cranes but there are plans to add further models over the coming months. MCG’s plan to manufacture Grove products in Italy complements production of GMKs in Wilhelmshaven, Germany and RTs in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania.

Philippe Cohet, executive vice president for MCG’s EMEA region, says the Niella Tanaro factory was an excellent choice for product-line expansion.

“The manufacturing facility in Italy is one of MCG’s best. In the decade we have operated this facility, the team there has grown in their expertise and efficiency,” he says. “We felt the manufacturing culture there was an excellent fit to extend our manufacturing from tower cranes to mobile cranes.”

Glen Tellock, president and general manager of Manitowoc Crane Group adds that manufacturing expansion at the Italian location is a good fit for the future of MCG.

“Italy is the world’s second largest rough-terrain market and the most important market in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. The Grove brand has an excellent reputation in Europe and demand for rough-terrain cranes continues to increase,” Tellock said. “To have a production site in such close proximity to the market offers better service to our customers. Other established RT markets such as France, Spain and the Middle East will certainly benefit from the new facility, while we have high hopes for developing markets such as Romania and Bulgaria. This new facility once again demonstrates the ability of Manitowoc Crane Group to respond to the demands of the local market.”

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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