News Release

February 17, 2006

Open Day in France Celebrates New Cranes

Manitowoc Crane Group recently held an open day to commemorate the launch of its two latest all-terrain models – the GMK4080-1 (GMK4100 in the US) and GMK5220 (GMK5275 in the US) – at its facility in Cergy, just outside Paris, France.

A large number of visitors including customers, dealers, media, and senior MCG management, traveled to France to celebrate the launch. Philippe Cohet, executive vice president of MCG’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, said he was very pleased with the turnout.

“It makes me realize what a global company we are when I see industry leaders from so many major markets brought together like this. We are extremely proud of our new all-terrains and encouraged by the interest both these new cranes have generated,” Cohet said. “The market response to the new ATs has already been favorable and today’s event has convinced many more of the benefits of these innovative cranes, as well as being shown the full extent of Manitowoc Crane Group’s products and services.”

With capacities of 80 t (100 USt) and 220 t (275 USt) respectively, the four-axle GMK4080-1 and five-axle GMK5220 are already proving popular. A number of both models are on order, and global demand is growing rapidly.

In addition to highlighting the new all-terrains, MCG displayed a variety of other cranes in Cergy. Manitowoc Crane Group displayed two 55 t (60 USt) GMK3055 models and one of its self-erecting cranes. It also demonstrated the compatibility of its product range by using a new Grove GMK5220 to erect a Potain MDT 178 Topless city crane.

Also on display at Cergy were the latest mobile crane accessories from Manitowoc Crane CARE – a reversing camera, and outrigger leveling support plates. The leveling support plates are made from composite material and work to optimize outrigger performance, by acting as additional stabilizers. The all-terrain models on display were configured with different sized plates, ranging from 600 x 600 mm (23.6 x 23.6 inches) to 1000 x 1200 mm (39.3 x 47.2 inches). One of the GMK3055 models also featured a BV-545 reversing camera, one of a variety of safety devices available from Manitowoc Crane CARE.

Visitors to the event were able to tour the Manitowoc Crane CARE facility on-site at Cergy, to view the extensive parts and service offerings and to learn more about the various training programs available: mobile and tower crane operation, and tower crane maintenance and erection. A number of Manitowoc Crane CARE staff were on hand to assist visitors and discuss how the division is growing its operations in EMEA and beyond. They also discussed how the MCG facility in Cergy is set to become one of two new Manitowoc Crane CARE training schools in 2006, alongside another, opening in Marseille (Vitrolles). These new facilities will help increase Manitowoc Crane CARE’s crane operator training program and enable greater proximity to a larger number of clients. They will also fortify the company’s EMEA presence, adding to the number of existing offices, which include its headquarters in La Clayette, and the new training agency in Lyon, which opened in 2005.