Columbus McKinnon merges German operations under new EMEA company
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Columbus McKinnon has merged its German businesses Stahl CraneSystems and Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products into a single organisation operating as Columbus McKinnon EMEA. Headquartered in Wuppertal, Germany, the combined business will retain its existing manufacturing and operating locations, with Stahl CraneSystems production continuing in Künzelsau and the Yale and Dorner brands remaining in Wuppertal. The new organisation will be led by Wim Fabricius, Columbus McKinnon's president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, alongside three senior executives. The restructuring follows the group's expansion through its acquisition of Kito Crosby, bringing together a broader portfolio of lifting, rigging and material handling brands.
Columbus McKinnon consolidates German lifting equipment businesses
Global lifting and material handling equipment manufacturer Columbus McKinnon has combined two of its German subsidiaries into a single business, establishing Columbus McKinnon EMEA.
The merger brings together Stahl CraneSystems and Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products under one corporate organisation, consolidating the group's German operations while maintaining its established manufacturing facilities and customer relationships.
The new company is headquartered in Wuppertal, Germany, where Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products has operated alongside the group's Yale and Dorner brands.
Despite the corporate restructuring, both businesses will continue operating from their existing locations.
Stahl CraneSystems will maintain production at its facility in Künzelsau, southwest Germany, while the Yale and Dorner operations will remain based in Wuppertal.
Columbus McKinnon has also confirmed that existing customer contacts for sales, service and technical support will remain unchanged.
The arrangement provides a unified corporate structure without requiring customers to establish new relationships with the group's individual equipment brands.
Stahl CraneSystems manufacturing remains in Künzelsau
The merger preserves the established manufacturing operations of Stahl CraneSystems, a specialist in industrial lifting equipment and crane components. Production will continue at the company's existing facility in Künzelsau, Germany, maintaining the manufacturing base associated with the Stahl CraneSystems brand.
The business supplies equipment used in industrial crane systems, hoisting applications and material handling operations, serving customers across a range of industrial sectors.
Columbus McKinnon acquired Stahl CraneSystems from Konecranes in December 2016, expanding its European industrial lifting equipment portfolio.
At the time of the acquisition, Stahl CraneSystems employed approximately 650 people and generated annual revenue of around €135 million. The integration into Columbus McKinnon EMEA represents a further organisational change for the business, while preserving its existing production location.
Yale and Dorner operations remain in Wuppertal
The newly established Columbus McKinnon EMEA will also incorporate the operations associated with the Yale and Dorner brands in Wuppertal. Yale is an established name in industrial hoists, lifting equipment and material handling products, with equipment used in manufacturing, maintenance and industrial lifting applications. Dorner specialises in conveyor systems and material handling solutions, supporting production and industrial automation environments. Both brands will continue operating from their current Wuppertal location under the consolidated corporate structure.
Columbus McKinnon has emphasised continuity for customers, confirming that established contacts for sales enquiries, service requirements and technical assistance will remain in place. The decision maintains the existing operational footprint while bringing the businesses together under a single regional organisation.
Wim Fabricius to lead Columbus McKinnon EMEA
The new company will be managed by Wim Fabricius, who also serves as Columbus McKinnon's president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Fabricius will lead the combined organisation alongside Alexander Hartmann, Alan Korman and John Linker.
The leadership team will oversee the integrated German business and its activities within the wider Columbus McKinnon group.
The new structure brings the two established German operations under common management while retaining their respective production and commercial activities.
Columbus McKinnon has not announced changes to existing customer service arrangements or manufacturing locations as part of the merger.
Kito Crosby acquisition expands global lifting portfolio
The German consolidation follows a period of significant expansion for Columbus McKinnon, including its acquisition of Kito Crosby, a major international supplier of lifting and rigging equipment.
In February 2025, Columbus McKinnon agreed to acquire Kito Crosby from investment firm KKR in a transaction valued at approximately $2.7 billion. The acquisition subsequently closed, bringing together two established businesses serving the global lifting, rigging and material handling industries. Combined annual revenues exceed $2.1 billion, reflecting the expanded scale of the organisation and its international equipment portfolio.
The enlarged group includes several recognised brands across lifting, hoisting, rigging and industrial material handling applications. These include Kito, Crosby, Harrington, Gunnebo Industries, Peerless and eepos, alongside the group's existing brands.
The acquisition significantly broadened Columbus McKinnon's product offering, combining industrial lifting equipment with a wider range of rigging hardware, hoists and load handling solutions.
European consolidation supports broader group integration
The creation of Columbus McKinnon EMEA brings together two established German operations within a single corporate structure at a time when the group is managing a larger international portfolio. The consolidation provides a unified organisational framework for its German businesses while retaining the manufacturing locations and customer-facing operations associated with individual brands.
For customers of Stahl CraneSystems, Yale and Dorner, the immediate operational arrangements remain unchanged, including existing sales, service and technical support contacts.
The restructuring also places the German businesses within a regional organisation led by Fabricius, whose responsibilities extend across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
With the integration of Kito Crosby and the consolidation of its German operations, Columbus McKinnon continues to develop its position across the international lifting equipment, rigging and material handling sectors.
About Columbus McKinnon
Columbus McKinnon is a global manufacturer and supplier of lifting equipment, motion control technologies and material handling solutions.
The company serves industrial, manufacturing, construction and infrastructure markets through a portfolio of equipment brands and technologies.
Its products include industrial hoists, crane components, rigging equipment, lifting systems, conveyors and material handling solutions.
Following the acquisition of Kito Crosby, the group's portfolio includes brands such as Stahl CraneSystems, Yale, Dorner, Kito, Crosby, Harrington, Gunnebo Industries, Peerless and eepos.
View website: https://www.cmco.com/
About Stahl CraneSystems
Stahl CraneSystems is a German manufacturer specialising in industrial hoisting equipment and crane technology.
Based in Künzelsau, Germany, the company develops lifting solutions for industrial crane applications, including wire rope hoists, chain hoists and specialised lifting equipment.
Stahl CraneSystems became part of Columbus McKinnon following its acquisition from Konecranes in December 2016.
Its manufacturing operations will continue in Künzelsau under the new Columbus McKinnon EMEA structure.
View website: https://www.stahlcranes.com/
About Kito Crosby
Kito Crosby is an international lifting and rigging equipment business bringing together established brands serving industrial lifting, load handling and rigging applications.
Its portfolio includes Kito, Crosby, Harrington, Gunnebo Industries and Peerless, among other lifting equipment brands.
Columbus McKinnon agreed to acquire Kito Crosby from KKR in February 2025 for approximately $2.7 billion, expanding the group's global lifting and material handling portfolio.
View website: https://www.thecrosbygroup.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Columbus McKinnon EMEA?
Columbus McKinnon EMEA is the newly established German company formed through the merger of Stahl CraneSystems and Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products. It is headquartered in Wuppertal, Germany.
Which companies have merged to form Columbus McKinnon EMEA?
The merger combines Stahl CraneSystems and Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products into a single corporate organisation.
Will Stahl CraneSystems continue manufacturing in Künzelsau?
Yes. Stahl CraneSystems will continue producing its lifting equipment at its existing facility in Künzelsau, Germany, following the merger.
Who will manage Columbus McKinnon EMEA?
The company will be led by Wim Fabricius, Columbus McKinnon's president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, alongside Alexander Hartmann, Alan Korman and John Linker.
Will customer contacts change following the merger?
No. Columbus McKinnon has confirmed that existing contacts for sales, service and technical support will remain unchanged.
When did Columbus McKinnon acquire Stahl CraneSystems?
Columbus McKinnon acquired Stahl CraneSystems from Konecranes in December 2016. At that time, Stahl had approximately 650 employees and annual revenue of around €135 million.
How much did Columbus McKinnon pay for Kito Crosby?
Columbus McKinnon agreed to acquire Kito Crosby from KKR for approximately $2.7 billion in February 2025. The transaction subsequently closed, bringing the combined businesses' annual revenues to more than $2.1 billion.
