This factory closure is part of Konecranes' previously communicated decision to restructure its organization and reduce costs, based on a sharp drop in demand and a low industrial capacity utilization rate. The action is included in the estimates announced in the second and third quarter interim reports 2009 i.e. an annual cost saving target of 100 MEUR in 2010 compared to 2008, and estimated 17-22 MEUR restructuring costs to be booked during 2009.
The Birmingham facility is a fabrication and assembly plant, producing industrial cranes for deliveries mainly into the southern areas of the U.S. Current and future customer orders will be serviced by other Konecranes facilities in the U.S.
