Columbus McKinnon Realigns Manufacturing and Sales Operations

December 29, 2008 – Columbus McKinnon Corp., Amherst, N.Y., is making organizational changes to further its goal of being a global leader in the material-handling industry. The restructuring will be effective Jan. 5, 2009.

To support the integration of Germany-based Pfaff-silberblau, the U.S.-based Duff Norton division, will now report to Wolfgang Wegener, vice president and managing director—CMCO Europe.

Additionally, Gene Buer, executive director—hoist products will now be responsible for hoist products in all the Americas, and Charles Giesige, executive director—rigging products, will take responsibility for Columbus McKinnon’s crane business, CES. Buer and Giesige will report directly to Timothy Tevens, president and CEO.

Global supply chain management for the entire organization will be brought under Joseph Owen's leadership in the newly created position of vice president—supply chain management. As part of this realignment, corporate quality will also report to Mr. Owen.

Through these organizational changes, the chief operating officer position will be eliminated. Derwin Gilbreath, who joined Columbus McKinnon in February 2005 as COO, is helping to manage the transition and will be leaving the company in January.