Manitowoc, Kobelco end OEM agreement

The Manitowoc Company and Kobelco Construction Machinery will not renew their OEM supply agreement.

Since 2003, Kobelco has supplied Manitowoc with Manitowoc-branded lattice-boom crawler crane models with lift capacities under 150 tons to the worldwide Manitowoc distribution network, and Manitowoc has supplied Kobelco-branded all-terrain crane models for marketing in Japan. The global alliance will end on November 9, 2018. Kobelco will continue to support Manitowoc and its customers, and Manitowoc will continue to support Kobelco and its customers, with service parts for a period of ten years.

“As a world leader in lattice-boom crawler cranes, Manitowoc provided our customers with a comprehensive line through our alliance with Kobelco,” said Barry Pennypacker, president and CEO of The Manitowoc Company. ”The company has been an excellent partner, providing our customers with a high standard of product quality and reliability. After nearly 15 years, we have agreed to pursue separate ways developing our own products in the smaller capacity cranes to serve our respective customers. With the implementation of The Manitowoc Way, we will continue to deliver new and innovative quality products, on time, ensuring that our customers continue to have the right product offerings.”

Kazuhide Naraki, president and CEO of Kobelco Construction Machinery, said, “Manitowoc has an outstanding reputation around the world and offered a strong distribution network in regions it serves globally. I can say our partnership was very successful between two highly respected industry players joining forces. I feel strongly that both companies share the same approach – focusing on customers with care and bringing to market reliable products which have a high standard of quality and safety. We look forward to a new chapter in growing our businesses.”