When these cranes will be released is unclear, he said. “Kato expects this will be done in a few years, but we think two is too long, so we will try to shorten the time.” All three will be modifications of previous Rigo models, with a greater emphasis on technology coming from the Kato side.

Despite the new product development, the cranes will continue to be made on a small scale, as they are now, Yasui said. “Eurorigo has to produce these cranes with 37 people,” he added, so mass production is difficult.

Autogru Rigo will finish off its last few ATs this year, and will not produce any more, said Eurorigo sales manager Daniele Rigo, although it will continue to offer parts and service on existing Rigos.

Rigo said that it was a pity to be losing the Autogru Rigo brand. “But in today’s economy, there is a tendency for companies to group together, for different reasons.”

The decision about how to deal with the conflicts from overlapping Autogru Rigo and European Kato dealers is still being discussed.