Crown Equipment Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of lift trucks, is committed to advancing hydrogen fuel cell technology. The company was recently awarded nearly $1 million in grant money from the state of Ohio to conduct fuel cell research.

“The project is important to the technological advancement of our products, which in turn is important for our customers and to the long-term future of Crown,” said Crown President Jim Dicke III. “We are pleased with the State of Ohio and its overall efforts in working with Crown to maintain a strong manufacturing base here. Crown also appreciates being recognized as a leader in the progression of fuel cell technology.”

The development of fuel cells is a natural extension of Crown’s ongoing focus on environmental sustainability. As a technology leader in the lift truck industry, Crown is committed to supporting its customers via the emerging hydrogen economy. This project expands Crown’s focus to actively participate in and support the development of environmentally friendly alternative fuels that provide power savings for its customers.

Konecranes has signed an agreement to exercise its option to raise its holding in the joint venture company Meiden Hoist System Company, Ltd. (MHS) of Japan from 49 to 65 percent. The transaction will be finalized on March 31, 2008.

Konecranes and Meidensha Corporation (Meiden), a Japanese company, entered into a joint venture agreement concerning the hoist business in Japan on November 6, 2002. Under the agreement, Konecranes was granted a call option to increase its holding in MHS by 16 percent. The call option was exercisable before March 31, 2008.

Meiden earlier held 51 % and Konecranes 49 % of the shares in the joint venture company MHS. Konecranes has signed an agreement to exercise the call option to acquire an additional 16 percent interest in MHS.

Buguet, a French company based in Joinville (Haute Marne), specializes in roofing for civil buildings, as well as in the manufacturing of wooden structures. The Buguet family has run the business for seven generations, and is now represented by Nicolas Buguet, the current owner of the company.

In 2004 the development of wooden structures gave the company a boost to buy a Roto 45.21 Mcss, a versatile machine offering great performance both in lifting operations and in operations that require access platforms.

Roto allowed the company to significantly cut operating costs and to increase both safety and productivity. These achievements led to an increase in the turnover, and allowed the company to buy a second telescopic handler, a Roto 40.25 Mcss, in 2005. A Panoramic P 38.12 was bought in 2006.

Today Nicolas Buguet is proud of his three telescopic handlers, that allow his company to operate safely and promptly even under the most difficult conditions.

LAKEWOOD, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2008--Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) today celebrated the production of its 1 millionth engine with a ceremony that included company executives, employees, key customers and local, state and federal officials.

The engine, a 15-liter ISX diesel engine that originally was ordered by PACCAR's Kenworth Truck division, will be kept on display at the Company's Jamestown Engine Plant (JEP). The plant, which was established in 1974, is the sole manufacturer of heavy-duty Cummins engines in North America, following the consolidation of the Company's heavy-duty engine production in 2002, and is one of the Company's largest manufacturing facilities.

"I am honored to say I have been on hand for a number of these production milestones," said Jim Kelly, President - Engine Business and former JEP Plant Manager. "I am very fond of the people who work at this facility and am extremely proud of the outstanding work being done here.