Manitowoc buys factory in eastern Europe
24 August 2007Manitowoc Crane Group is equipping a new production plant, at a factory in Saris, Slovakia, acquired from Valcovna Profilov a.s.
The factory will serve as a final manufacturing and assembly site for Grove, Manitowoc and Potain cranes sold in Eastern European countries, especially Russia and the former Soviet republics.
Eric Etchart, president of MCG, said, “Customers in Eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS will benefit from lower shipping costs and faster delivery schedules. Meanwhile, by re-developing a brownfield site, we will be able to get this factory live faster.”
MCG plans to use the factory initially for the production of Potain’s range of top-slewing tower cranes. It will handle the latter stages of the production process such as painting, assembly, testing and shipping. The company also plans to manufacture Potain’s K masts at the plant using chords welded in the MCG factory in Moulins, France.
In addition to tower cranes, the company is planning to produce other MCG products including Grove mobile cranes, Manitowoc crawler cranes and Potain self-erecting cranes if required.
Etchart said, ”This new facility will relieve some of the current pressure on our other tower cranes factories in Europe and Asia. It also positions us well for the future to serve the growing markets of Eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS.”
