Columbus McKinnon, a provider of hoists, cranes, rigging, and automation products, has completed its acquisition of Kito Crosby, in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.7bn.
Based in Texas, Kito Crosby operates in the lifting and securement industry, with a presence in engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and service on a global scale. The company is known for its work on solutions for challenging applications, represented by brands such as Kito, Crosby, Harrington, Gunnebo Industries, Peerless, and eepos.
Columbus McKinnon, which is based in North Carolina, designs and manufactures intelligent motion solutions for material handling applications across commercial and industrial sectors. The company’s product portfolio includes hoists, crane components, precision conveyor systems, rigging tools, workstations, and digital control systems, all prioritising safety and quality.
This deal, first announced in February 2025, aims to expand Columbus McKinnon’s operational scale and is expected to deliver $70m in annual cost synergies.
The acquisition was finalised following approvals from 14 regulatory bodies, including the US Department of Justice under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
David Wilson will take on the role of president and CEO of the newly merged entity, while Gregory Rustowicz will serve as executive vice president and chief financial officer.
The executive team comprises leaders from both Columbus McKinnon and Kito Crosby, bringing extensive industry expertise and operational experience. Appal Chintapalli will continue as President of the Americas, joined by Yoshio Kito and Wim Fabricius, who will oversee Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East & Africa regions, respectively.
Jon Backes and Carlo Lonardi will maintain significant leadership positions within the Americas division.
David Wilson said: “This is a transformational moment for Columbus McKinnon, expanding our offerings and scale to further our vision of becoming a global leader in intelligent motion solutions for materials handling.
“This transaction brings together two innovative companies with industry-leading technical expertise, customer-centric cultures and a shared vision for operational excellence to drive new levels of safety, reliability and performance for customers across the globe.
“We’re very excited to officially welcome Kito Crosby to our global team as we combine the best of our collective businesses and set a new standard of excellence across the industry.”
As part of its financing strategy for the acquisition, Columbus McKinnon expanded its board of directors from nine to twelve members.
New appointments include Michael Lamach, Nate Sleeper, and Andrew Campelli, each bringing substantial experience in industrials and manufacturing sectors. These board changes are supported by CD&R’s $800m Series A investment in the company.
