What Columbus McKinnon does

Columbus McKinnon Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCO), founded in 1875 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a global manufacturer of intelligent motion and material handling solutions. The company operates a diversified, multi-brand portfolio spanning seven core product categories: hoisting and lifting equipment, crane systems, rigging equipment, power and motion technology (including linear motion, elevator drives, and automation systems), conveyors and accumulators, process fluid transfer technology, and rail technology. Its underlying technology integrates mechanical equipment with digital controls, automation modules (Intelli-Crane, Intelli-Connect, ProPath), variable frequency drives (IMPULSE, HPV), and radio remote control platforms (Enrange, Flex Pro2, ZLTX). The company serves 18+ industrial verticals including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and government, electric vehicles (notably PowerCo/VW gigafactories), mining, elevator, pharmaceutical, food processing, steel, marine terminal, and entertainment, with named enterprise customers such as PowerCo and Bombardier.

The company generates revenue primarily through one-time capital equipment sales, with a recurring aftermarket parts and services stream tied to its global installed base. Distribution is hybrid: direct enterprise field sales for large engineered projects, plus an extensive distributor/channel partner network and an e-commerce customer portal for mid-market and aftermarket demand. Pricing is quotation-based and varies by configuration, capacity, and project scope, with multi-year contracts for enterprise deployments. Manufacturing is conducted on five continents across 50+ countries through 19 proprietary brands including CM, STAHL CraneSystems, Yale, Magnetek, Dorner, Duff-Norton, Crosby, Kito, and Harrington.

In February 2026 Columbus McKinnon completed a transformational $2.7 billion acquisition of Kito Crosby Limited from KKR-managed funds, financed by an $800 million CD&R preferred equity investment, a $900 million senior secured notes offering at 7.125%, and a $1.65 billion senior secured term loan B. The transaction more than doubled pro forma revenue to over $2 billion, expanded the brand portfolio, and added a DOJ-required divestiture of U.S. power chain hoist and chain operations to Pacific Avenue Capital Partners for $210 million. The combined entity is led by President and CEO David J. Wilson with an expanded 12-member board.

Name

Columbus McKinnon

Legal name

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

Website

https://cmco.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1875

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Columbus McKinnon is a global manufacturer of intelligent motion, lifting, crane, rigging, and material handling equipment, serving 18+ industrial verticals in 50+ countries through 19 brands including CM, Yale, Crosby, Kito, STAHL, Magnetek, and Dorner.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Material Handling Equipment

NAICS

Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing (333923), Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (33324), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)

akta.pro primary industry

Cranes, Hoists & Overhead Material Handling (Industrial) (IMAHABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crane & Hoist Components (Wire Rope, Chain, Drums, Sheaves, Motors, Controls) (IMAHAJAK), Industrial Machinery & Rigging (Small-Scale) (HSAKAEAN), Industrial MRO Supplies for Vehicle/Equipment Workshops (Bearings, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Fasteners) (TLAKAOAK)

Keywords

• Industrial lifting equipment
• Material handling solutions
• Crane systems manufacturing
• Rigging and hoisting
• Motion control technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Amherst

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (Equipment): Sale of core material handling equipment including hoists, cranes, conveyors, linear motion systems, and elevator drives. One-time capital purchase model typical for industrial equipment.
2. Aftermarket Parts and Services: Replacement parts, maintenance services, and spare components for installed equipment base. Recurring revenue stream from established customer relationships.
3. Automation Solutions: Integrated automation and digital solutions including Intelli-Crane, Intelli-Connect, and control systems. Can be sold as add-on to equipment or standalone upgrades.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Columbus McKinnon manufactures and sells industrial material handling equipment including hoists, cranes, rigging hardware, conveyors, linear motion and elevator drives, and intelligent motion/automation technology. Its offering is delivered through 19+ proprietary brands and is augmented by aftermarket parts, service, and digital automation add-ons (Intelli-Crane, Intelli-Connect, ProPath) sold to industrial, automotive, aerospace, mining, elevator, and other commercial customers worldwide.

Product overview

Columbus McKinnon is a global leader in intelligent motion solutions for material handling, operating as a diversified industrial equipment manufacturer with a platform-plus-modules architecture. The company's core portfolio spans seven major product categories: Hoisting and Lifting Equipment (manual and electric hoists, winches, jacks), Crane Systems (mobile cranes, workstation cranes, jib cranes, crane components), Rigging Equipment (lifting devices, slings, chains, shackles), Power and Motion Technology (linear actuators, drives, automation systems), Conveyors and Accumulators (precision conveyors, accumulation solutions), Process Fluid Transfer Technology (rotary unions), and Rail Technology. The offering is organized around 19+ brands including CM, STAHL CraneSystems, Yale, Magnetek, Dorner, Duff-Norton, Crosby, Kito, and others, with intelligent automation add-ons including Intelli-Connect, ProPath Systems, and Intelli-Crane that combine equipment with control and automation technology. The February 2026 acquisition of Kito Crosby significantly expanded the brand portfolio and doubled revenue to over $2 billion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CM: Safety, Efficiency, Innovation - Industrial hoists, rigging equipment, chain products, and material handling solutions with over a century of experience.
• STAHL CraneSystems
• Yale
• Magnetek
• Dorner
• Duff-Norton
• Camlok
• Crosby
• Kito
• Budgit Hoists
• Chester Hoist
• Coffing Hoists
• Little Mule
• Shaw-Box
• Dixie Industries
• Garvey
• Peerless
• Harrington
• Gunnebo Industries
• Pfaff-silberblau
• Unified Industries
• eepos
• Steerman
• CM Entertainment
• montratec
• Stuart Rush

Products and services

• Hoisting and Lifting Equipment Comprehensive range of manual hoists (hand chain hoists, lever hoists, explosion-proof hand chain hoists), electric and air hoists (electric chain hoists, air chain hoists, electric wire rope hoists, explosion-proof variants), winches (electric, manual, worm gear), rack and pinion jacks, hydraulic jacks and tools, trolleys and trolley clamps, and lifting tables for industrial customers.
• Crane Systems Complete crane solutions including mobile cranes (gantry cranes, ProPath automated systems), material handling solutions (custom lift assists, articulating arms, vertical reaction lifters, torque tubes), jib cranes (floor mounted, articulating, wall mounted), workstation crane systems (ETA rail profiles, enclosed track rail systems), crane components (crane electrics, end trucks, travel drives, wheel blocks), and crane kits.
• Rigging Equipment Below-the-hook lifting devices (grabs, lifting clamps, wire grips, hooks, lugs, crane forks, crane weighers), lifting slings and lashing systems, tie-downs and load binders, chains and chain accessories, forestry and hand tools, and shackles (lifting points, anchor, long reach, theatrical, web sling, chain).
• Power and Motion Technology Intelligent motion control products including linear motion products (screw jacks, linear actuators, heavy duty linear actuators, lifting columns, bevel gear boxes), elevator drives (AC and DC), automation and diagnostics (Intelli-Connect, ProPath Systems, Intelli-Crane), brakes, radio transmitters (bellybox, handheld, receivers), cable and festoon systems, collision avoidance systems, regenerative drives, AC and DC motor control systems, conductor bar systems, motors, pendant pushbutton stations, and mining drives.
• Conveyors and Accumulators Industrial conveyor solutions through the Dorner brand including industrial conveyors (1100 Miniature, 2200 Low Profile, 2700 Medium Duty, 3200 Heavy Duty, DC Move, C3 Compact Curve), flexible conveyors (FlexMove Aluminum, FlexMove Stainless Steel), pallet conveyors (Edge Roller Technology, DualMove, FlexMove, montrac), sanitary conveyors (AquaGard, AquaPruf), and accumulation solutions (Bi-Flo, Infinity, 3D Infinity, RX tables).
• Process Fluid Transfer Technology Rotary unions and swivel joints for general purpose applications and steam and hot oil transfer systems.
• Rail Technology Rail-specific lifting and positioning solutions including underfloor lifting systems, lifting jacks, roof working platforms, hybrid lifting systems, turntables, bogie-axle exchange systems, bogie lifting systems, transfer tables, bogie lift and turn devices, and workshop equipment for rail industry customers.
• Magnetek Flex Pro2 Radio Remote Control Modern radio remote control platform with intuitive controls designed for demanding industrial environments like concrete pumpers, boom trucks, and sewer equipment; described as a smarter, tougher generation of wireless controls for crane and hoist operations.
• Magnetek ZLTX Radio Remote Controls Radio remote control transmitters combining the ergonomics of a handheld transmitter with the durability of a bellybox, designed for crane and hoist applications in metals production, aerospace, and general manufacturing environments.
• Intelli-Connect Standalone automation and diagnostics connectivity platform for power and motion technology that enables real-time monitoring, remote diagnostics, and data collection from material handling equipment.
• ProPath Systems Standalone automated systems for mobile cranes and workstation cranes providing intelligent motion control, automated positioning, and process automation for material handling operations.
• Intelli-Crane Standalone intelligent crane automation and diagnostics system combining crane equipment with control and automation technology, enabling advanced crane operations with integrated monitoring and safety features.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy savings through IMPULSE variable frequency drives
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments18 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• PowerCo (Volkswagen Group)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2024PowerCo, the battery company of Volkswagen Group, selected Columbus McKinnon as its global intralogistics partner for gigafactories worldwide. Columbus McKinnon will provide crane, hoist, and linear motion systems integrated with automation and digital control technologies including Intelli-Crane and Intelli-Connect. The partnership spans multiple gigafactory locations globally as PowerCo scales battery production.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cargotec (Hiab / Kalmar / MacGregor): Finnish provider of cargo and load handling solutions including port cranes, ship-loaders, and material handling equipment, competing with CMCO in heavy industrial lifting and rigging applications.
• Daifuku: Japanese material handling systems integrator offering conveyors, automated storage, sortation, and cleanroom systems; competes with CMCO's Dorner conveyor business and intralogistics automation portfolio.
• Terex Corporation: U.S. manufacturer of aerial work platforms, cranes, and materials processing equipment with overlapping product lines in industrial cranes and material handling, serving similar construction and industrial customers.
• Dematic (KION Group): Global supplier of integrated automated material handling solutions including conveyors, AS/RS, and warehouse automation; directly competes with CMCO's intralogistics and conveyor offerings for warehouse and distribution customers.
• Konecranes: Finland-based global leader in lifting equipment and crane services, directly competing with Columbus McKinnon in overhead cranes, hoists, and material handling service across manufacturing, ports, and industrial end markets.

Broad incumbents

• Parker Hannifin: Global leader in motion and control technologies including hydraulics, pneumatics, and electromechanical systems; overlaps with CMCO's Magnetek drives, Duff-Norton linear motion, and power-and-motion portfolio.
• Regal Rexnord: Manufacturer of power transmission and motion control products including motors, bearings, and gearing; competes with several CMCO product lines in industrial motion and material handling applications.
• ABB: Swiss industrial automation and robotics giant offering drives, controls, and motors that compete with CMCO's Magnetek drive products and adjacent automation offerings across industrial customers.
• Ingersoll Rand: Diversified industrial company with material handling, compression, and fluid management businesses; competes broadly with CMCO in industrial equipment for manufacturing and process industries.

Emerging players

• KUKA: German robotics and automation specialist whose industrial robots and controllers intersect with CMCO's ProPath automation and Intelli-Crane intelligent motion product lines for industrial customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cmcolive
• Facebookfacebook.com/ColumbusMcKinnonCorporation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/columbus-mckinnon

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries25 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A17 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Columbus McKinnon