Cat Logistics Opens Distribution Center for Manitowoc at River Ridge Commerce Center

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (Manitowoc), 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, and Caterpillar Logistics Services, Inc. (Cat Logistics), a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., today celebrate the grand opening of a new, state-of-the-art parts distribution facility in southern Indiana.

The new 141,000-square-foot logistics facility will serve as master distribution center for Manitowoc’s crane parts to dealers primarily in the Americas region but also on a worldwide basis. As part of the multi-year agreement, Cat Logistics provides operational planning services, records accuracy, transportation services and account management. Cat Logistics will employ 45 people at the Indiana operation when the facility is fully operational.

The facility consolidates Manitowoc’s previous U.S. warehouse operations in Manitowoc, Wis., and Shady Grove, Pa., into a single facility more centrally located for dealers and customers.

“We expect logistics to reach the next level and become best in class thanks to this new Distribution Center. The goal of this new facility is to improve service to our customers and reduce our costs. We need to do both in order to remain competitive in this challenging market.

The proximity of one of the largest air and ground shipping hubs in North America was a contributing factor in the selection of Jeffersonville as a location for the distribution center. Our dealers will see improved focus on after market support and customers will experience better, faster service and lower costs of crane ownership,” said Eric Etchart, vice president of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. and president of Manitowoc Cranes.

Manitowoc anticipates the benefits of the Cat Logistics operations management to be:

• Improved customer service and consolidated ordering
• Later cut off time for parts orders reducing expedited freight service
• 70 percent of crane customers reached within two days versus 50 percent today
• Increased inventory accuracy
• Enabled inbound quality inspection
• Facilitation of common warehouse key performance indicators (KPIs) and continuous
  improvement processes
• One common order process for dealers across multiple Manitowoc

“Cat Logistics is pleased to enter into a long-term relationship with one of the world’s leading providers of cranes and lifting equipment. We understand the positive impact superior logistics services can have in an industry where equipment uptime is essential, and we are confident that this agreement will deliver significant value to Manitowoc in the years ahead,” said Steve Larson, vice president, Caterpillar Inc., chairman and president, Caterpillar Logistics Services, Inc.

The facility opened in the summer of 2009 with the parts transfer from existing facilities taking place throughout the third quarter. The facility is expected to be fully operational in the fourth quarter of 2009.

About Cat Logistics
Caterpillar Logistics Services, Inc. provides world-class supply chain solutions and services to its parent company, Caterpillar Inc., and more than 60 other leading corporations throughout the world. Headquartered in Morton, Illinois, Cat Logistics operates more than 110 offices and facilities in 23 countries on six continents. Cat Logistics provides its full service capabilities to companies in market sectors, which include automotive service parts, industrial service parts, consumer durables, technology and electronics, manufacturing logistics, aerospace service parts, and mining, oil, and gas maintenance, repair and operations. More information is available at http://www.CatLogistics.com.

About Manitowoc
Manitowoc is a multi-industry, capital goods manufacturer with over 100 manufacturing and service facilities in 27 countries. It is recognized as 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. Manitowoc is also one of the world’s leading innovators and manufacturers of commercial foodservice equipment serving the ice, beverage, refrigeration, food prep, and cooking needs of restaurants, convenience stores, hotels, healthcare, and institutional applications. More information is available at www.manitowoc.com.