The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (NYSE: MTW) today acknowledged that Relational Investors LLC has filed a Schedule 13D with the Securities and Exchange Commission reporting that it has acquired beneficial ownership of 8.52% of the company's common stock.

“As an organization, we are committed to acting in the best interest of the company and all of its stakeholders. We have maintained, and will continue to maintain, an open dialogue with all of our shareholders. In fact, we have already had several conversations with Relational Investors. As part of our regular evaluation of the company’s enterprise-wide strategic imperatives to drive long-term shareholder value, we will continue to consider and review Relational Investors’ suggestions,” commented Glen E. Tellock, Manitowoc’s chairman and chief executive officer.

“We have great confidence in the strength of our business and our ability to manage the company in any market environment. The Board of Directors and management team remain committed to building value for all shareholders through the continued execution of our strategy, including margin expansion initiatives which are already delivering results, and the continued evaluation of our capital allocation policy following our substantial deleveraging since the Enodis transaction,” concluded Tellock.

Goldman, Sachs & Co. is serving as financial advisor to The Manitowoc Company, Inc.

About The Manitowoc Company, Inc.

Founded in 1902, The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is a multi-industry, capital goods manufacturer with over 100 manufacturing, distribution, and service facilities in 24 countries. The company is recognized globally as one of the premier innovators and providers of crawler cranes, tower cranes, and mobile cranes for the heavy construction industry, which are complemented by a slate of industry-leading product support services. In addition, Manitowoc is one of the world’s leading innovators and manufacturers of commercial foodservice equipment, which includes 24 market-leading brands of hot- and cold-focused equipment. In 2013, Manitowoc’s revenues totaled $4.0 billion, with more than half of these revenues generated outside of the United States.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the current expectations of the management of the company and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements typically containing words such as "intends," "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "estimates," and words of similar import. By their nature, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially include, among others:

  • unanticipated changes in revenues, margins, costs, and capital expenditures;
  • the ability to focus on the customer, new technologies, and innovation;
  • the ability to increase operational efficiencies across each of Manitowoc’s business segments and to capitalize on those efficiencies;
  • the ability to capitalize on key strategic opportunities and the ability to implement Manitowoc’s long-term initiatives;
  • the ability to generate cash and manage working capital consistent with Manitowoc’s stated goals;
  • pressure of financing leverage;
  • matters impacting the successful and timely implementation of ERP systems;
  • foreign currency fluctuations and their impact on reported results and hedges in place with Manitowoc;
  • the risks associated with growth;
  • geographic factors and political and economic conditions and risks;
  • unanticipated changes in customer demand, including changes in global demand for high-capacity lifting equipment; changes in demand for lifting equipment and foodservice equipment in emerging economies, and changes in demand for used lifting equipment and foodservice equipment;
  • efficiencies and capacity utilization of facilities;
  • issues relating to the ability to timely and effectively execute on manufacturing strategies, including issues relating to new plant start-ups, plant closings, and/or consolidations of existing facilities and operations;
  • government approval and funding of projects and the effect of U.S. government budget sequestration or other government-related issues or developments;
  • the ability to complete and appropriately integrate restructurings, consolidations, acquisitions, divestitures, strategic alliances, and joint ventures;
  • realization of anticipated earnings enhancements, cost savings, strategic options and other synergies, and the anticipated timing to realize those savings, synergies, and options; and,
  • risks and other factors cited in Manitowoc's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Manitowoc undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements only speak as of the date on which they are made. Information on the potential factors that could affect the company's actual results of operations is included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.