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 News Release
June 12, 2008
Manitowoc opens tower crane factory in Slovakia
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| Manitowoc's new factory in Slovakia will build Potain tower cranes for customers in Russia, the C.I.S. and Eastern Europe. |
High Resolution Photograph
Manitowoc officially inaugurated its newest manufacturing plant with an open day for customers, dealers, senior Manitowoc management and local government officials in early June. The new plant is located in Velky Saris, Slovakia and is building tower cranes from Manitowoc’s Potain brand for customers in Russia, the C.I.S. and Eastern Europe.
Eric Etchart, president and general manager of Manitowoc, said the new factory would improve customer service in more than one way.
“This factory is important to us for a number of reasons,” he said. “First, it brings us closer to our growing customer base in Russia, the C.I.S. and Eastern Europe. It allows us to build cranes for those markets faster and more economically as freight costs are lower. Second, it is the first factory designed entirely around our Lean Manufacturing process we introduced last year. And third, it gives us additional capacity at other Potain factories by relieving some of the pressure caused by the high levels of global demand for tower cranes.”
Lean Manufacturing offers Manitowoc improved production efficiency by minimizing stock levels and strengthening processes from order to delivery. Its focus on perfecting workflow and minimizing waste also provides improved manufacturing quality. Manitowoc has now introduced Lean Manufacturing to all its factories, but Velky Saris is the first company facility designed entirely around its principles.
The plant in Slovakia is producing four cranes at present from the Potain line including the MDT 178 from the topless range and the MD 208 A from the standard top-slewing tower crane range. The company acquired the facility in August of last year and spent months transforming the brownfield site to a modern tower crane factory.
The factory is home to all new equipment, including the shot blaster, paint line, welding equipment and welding jigs. Manitowoc also invested heavily in staff at the new facility sending everyone to the company’s other Potain facilities in France for four to six weeks to learn more about Manitowoc, its products, its processes and its principles.
Laurent Guesdon, plant director at the Velky Saris location, said the workers are a vital component in the new facility.
“We are delighted with the progress at the Velky Saris factory so far and are looking forward to developing our output in future,” he said. “Our workforce here is highly skilled and highly professional and they all benefited from their extended inductions in France. It is essential to have the best machinery to produce the best cranes, but Manitowoc also understands the true value of investing in people.”
About The Manitowoc Company
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is one of the world's largest providers of lifting equipment for the global construction industry, including lattice-boom cranes,tower cranes, mobile telescopic cranes, and boom trucks. As a leading manufacturer of ice-cube machines, ice/beverage dispensers, and commercial refrigeration equipment, the company offers the broadest line of cold-focused equipment for the foodservice industry. In addition, the company is a leading provider of shipbuilding, ship repair, and conversion services for government, military, and commercial customers throughout the U.S. maritime industry.
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