The Manitowoc Company Inc. has unveiled record second quarter results for the group in the financial period ending 30 June 2000. Net earnings showed an increase of 7.7% to $22.6 million and net sales rose 5.7% to $239.3 million. Manitowoc also generated $16.3 million of economic value during the quarter, a rise of 13% over the same period in 1999.

The lifting equipment division of the company played a significant part in achieving the figures due to a continuing increase in demand – orders in the crane segment rose 6% in the first quarter of 2000. The new 275 US ton (250t) capacity model 999 crawler is Manitowoc’s most successful new product launch. The arrival of the 999 was announced at the Intermat show in Paris and it was seen in iron for the first time at the Manitowoc Crane Days event held in Wisconsin at the end of June. By the end of this event orders for the 999 stood at 68 units.

Company president Terry Growcock said that Manitowoc is also “shortening the manufacturing time for our liftcranes” and described the crane order backlog as a “comfortable” $141 million.

Growcock also confirmed increased demand for boom trucks, especially medium and larger capac- ity models. Hydraulic boom truck operations Manitex, USTC and Pioneer, owned by The Manitowoc Company Inc, have been rebranded under the single corporate identity of Manitowoc Boom Trucks. Growcock said that this was part of the assimilation strategy for USTC and Pioneer Cranes that will eventually result in “significant operating synergies and savings in the future”.

Manitowoc Boom Trucks is to be headed by executive vice president Joe Conway and by the middle of this month every crane will feature the traditional red, black and grey colours of Manitowoc Cranes.

Manitex started in 1985 with pedestal mounted lattice boom marine cranes. The plant was moved in 1993 and in 1996 the “revolutionary” S series was introduced. Today the largest model lifts 42 ton at a 9ft radius. USTC was acquired in November 1998 and Pioneer in February this year.

Rationalisation is now the priority, to consolidate platforms and products. The range now consists of The C, S, X and T series cranes. The C series of behind-the-cab type cranes comprises five platforms and nine models. Rear mounted Manitex models of the S series are “perhaps the most copied in the market”. The X series, designed and introduced by Pioneer has five platforms, five models and five boom options in a capacity range from 15 ton to 28 ton. The T series, blended with the C series, has four platforms and seven models.

Customer benefits are listed as:

• Single brand identification.

• Expanded portfolio – the biggest range in the market.

• Changing means there is no branding confusion.