Manitowoc, Kobelco sign all-terrain crane supply deal

Manitowoc Crane Group and Kobelco Construction Machinery announced last week they have agreed for Manitowoc to supply Grove all-terrain cranes to Kobelco. Kobelco will sell the cranes under its own brand exclusively in Japan. Manitowoc will manufacture the cranes at its Wilhelmshaven, Germany, factory. The companies plan to introduce four models ranging in capacity from 100 to 450 metric tons to Japan in 2005. Kobelco and Manitowoc recently announced an agreement for Kobelco to supply its lattice-boom crawler cranes to Manitowoc for sale in the Americas. Kobelco, which has focused on manufacturing rough-terrain cranes and lattice-boom cranes, said in a press release the all-terrain cranes will complement its current product line.