What Kito Corp does

Kito Corp is a Japanese public company (Tokyo Stock Exchange: tyo:6409) founded in 1932 and headquartered in Yamanashi, Japan, that manufactures hoists, cranes, and other material handling equipment and system solutions. Through a multi-brand strategy, the company controls heritage lifting and rigging brands including Kito, Crosby, Harrington (since 1867), Gunnebo Industries (since 1764), Peerless, and eepos (acquired 2025). Core products span electric chain hoists, manual and lever hoists, shackles, slings, crane systems, and rigging hardware, with engineered specialty offerings such as hazardous-location electric chain hoists, wide-body shackles, and tailor-made aluminum crane superstructures.

The business operates a B2B hardware sales model, distributing products globally through a network of channel partners, direct sales, and brand-specific e-commerce storefronts in 11 languages. End customers are concentrated in construction (bridges, tunnels, stadiums, transmission towers), industrial manufacturing, and marine and offshore applications where performance and safety are critical. Kito Corp reinforces its market position through branded training programs (Crosby University, Kito University, Harrington University, Peerless University) and a Channel Partner Academy, creating an ecosystem that supports specification-driven procurement.

Corporate ownership has been reshaped by recent M&A: Kito Corp acquired Peerless Industrial Group in 2014 (~$80M) and ERIKKILA OY in 2018, and in 2025 the combined Kito Crosby entity was acquired by Columbus McKinnon, with Kito Crosby also acquiring German aluminum crane specialist eepos GmbH in the same year. The company has 501-1,000 employees and is led by President and CEO Yoshio Kito.

Name

Kito Corp

Legal name

Kito Crosby

Website

https://kito.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Kito Corp is a Japanese public manufacturer (tyo:6409) of hoists, cranes, and rigging hardware sold under heritage brands including Kito, Crosby, Harrington, Gunnebo, Peerless, and eepos to global construction, industrial, and marine customers via channel partners and direct sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Lifting and Material Handling Equipment

NAICS

Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing (333923), Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing (3331)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

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), Lifting Accessories & Rigging (Slings, Shackles, Hooks, Spreaders) (IMAHAJAI), Lifting Attachments & Material Handling Accessories (Fork Attachments, Slings, Rigging) (IMAHABAJ), Cargo Handling & Lifting Equipment (Cranes, Derricks, Hoists) (IMAJAIAB)

Keywords

• Hoist manufacturing
• Crane systems
• Rigging hardware
• Material handling equipment
• Lifting solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Yamanashi

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Lifting and Rigging Equipment Sales: Kito Crosby generates revenue through the sale of industrial lifting and rigging equipment including electric hoists, manual hoists, lever hoists, shackles, slings, chain, and crane systems sold under multiple brands to construction, industrial, and marine customers globally.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kito Corp manufactures and distributes hoists, cranes, and other material handling equipment and system solutions. The portfolio covers electric, manual, and lever hoists; crane systems including tailor-made aluminum superstructures; and rigging hardware such as shackles, hooks, chain, and slings, sold globally under multiple established brands including Kito, Crosby, Harrington, Gunnebo Industries, Peerless, and eepos, with specific products designed for hazardous-location and offshore applications.

Product overview

Kito Crosby is a multi-brand lifting and rigging equipment company offering a comprehensive portfolio of hoists, cranes, rigging hardware, and engineered solutions. The portfolio includes six distinct brands: Kito (electric, manual, and lever hoists), Crosby (lifting, rigging, and securement hardware), Harrington (hoists, cranes, and material handling since 1867), Gunnebo Industries (chain, slings, components, and offshore solutions since 1764), Peerless (rigging, cargo securement, marine, and traction products), and eepos (aluminum crane systems acquired in 2025). These products serve construction, industrial, offshore, and commercial applications where performance and reliability are critical. The company also provides training programs through branded universities (Crosby University, Kito University, Harrington University, Peerless University) and channel partner academies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kito Electric, Manual, and Lever Hoists World's leading brand of electric, manual, and lever hoists, setting the standard for safety and efficiency in lifting operations. Targets industrial and construction customers requiring reliable material handling hoists.
• Crosby Lifting, Rigging, and Securement Hardware Quality lifting, rigging, and securement hardware and technology solutions including shackles and other rigging hardware. Serves construction, marine, and industrial customers.
• Harrington Hoists, Cranes, and Material Handling Equipment Market leader and innovator in the hoist, crane, and material handling industry since 1867, offering top-quality lifting solutions including hazardous-location hoists for many industrial applications.
• Gunnebo Industries Chain, Slings, and Offshore Lifting Components Quality chain, slings, and components, and offshore lifting solutions proven in the world's harshest environments since 1764. Targets marine, offshore, and heavy industrial customers.
• Peerless Rigging, Cargo Securement, Marine, and Traction Products World-class products supporting rigging, cargo securement, marine, and traction markets. Serves industrial, transportation, and marine customers.
• eepos Aluminum Crane Systems and Superstructures Highly flexible, tailor-made aluminum crane systems and superstructures for load handling, media and energy supply, and manufacturing process optimization. Targets industrial manufacturers needing customized crane solutions.
• Harrington RNER2 Series Hazardous Location Electric Chain Hoists Electric chain hoists designed for hazardous locations where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or combustible dust. Serves industrial manufacturers operating HazLoc environments.
• G-2160 Wide Body Shackle Wide body shackle designed for heavy-duty lifting and rigging applications. Targets construction, marine, and industrial rigging customers.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• eepos GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Kito Crosby entered into an agreement to acquire eepos GmbH, a German company specializing in highly flexible, tailor-made aluminum crane systems and superstructures. This acquisition strengthens Kito Crosby's portfolio in customized crane solutions for load handling, media and energy supply, and manufacturing process optimization.
• Bridges to ProsperitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership supporting infrastructure development through bridge construction, connecting Kito Crosby's lifting expertise with social impact initiatives in underserved regions.
• The Ocean CleanupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKito Crosby serves as official supplier to The Ocean Cleanup, providing lifting and rigging solutions to support ocean plastic removal operations.
• Japan Paralympic TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership supporting the Japan Paralympic Team through sponsorship and advocacy.
• Lifting for the TroopsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity initiative supporting military veterans through lifting industry programs and resources.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Terex Corporation: Diversified manufacturer of aerial work platforms, cranes, and materials processing equipment. Comparable to Kito Crosby in industrial cranes and heavy lifting equipment for construction and industrial customers.
• Ingersoll Rand: Diversified industrial manufacturer with material handling and lifting-related product lines serving industrial and process customers. Comparable as a broad industrial incumbent with adjacency to hoists and rigging.
• Konecranes: Finnish global leader in cranes, hoists, and material handling equipment serving manufacturing, ports, and industrial customers. Overlaps with Kito Crosby in industrial cranes, hoists, and service-driven lifting solutions.
• Liebherr: Family-owned manufacturer of mobile cranes, crawler cranes, and maritime cranes. Comparable to Kito Crosby in heavy lifting equipment for construction and offshore applications.
• Columbus McKinnon: Global designer and manufacturer of lifting and motion-control products including hoists, cranes, and rigging. It is now the parent of Kito Crosby and the most direct large-cap comparable in hoists and crane systems worldwide.

Direct peers

• ABUS Kransysteme: German manufacturer of overhead travelling cranes, light crane systems, and hoists. Comparable to Kito Crosby's eepos aluminum crane and Harrington overhead crane product lines.
• STAHL CraneSystems: German manufacturer of explosion-protected and standard electric chain hoists, rope hoists, and crane components. Closely comparable to Kito Crosby's Harrington brand, particularly in hazardous-location hoist applications.
• Demag (Terex Material Handling): Long-established German brand of industrial cranes, hoists, and drive technology serving global industrial customers. Direct competitor to Kito Crosby's Kito, Harrington, and eepos brands in overhead crane and hoist systems.
• R&M Materials Handling: Global manufacturer of electric chain hoists, wire rope hoists, and crane components under the R&M, Morris, and Pintabull brands. Direct peer in industrial electric hoists and material handling components.
• J.D. Neuhaus: German manufacturer of pneumatic and hydraulic hoists and crane systems for hazardous and heavy-duty environments. Direct peer to Kito Crosby in specialized lifting equipment for oil & gas, marine, and explosion-risk applications.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Kito Corp