Appointments in KCI Konecranes

Corporate press releases

KCI Konecranes International consolidates its European regional organizations and strengthens its global focus on Maintenance Services.

Region Europe

KCI Konecranes has operated in Europe through two separate Regional organizations - One being Region Western Europe and the other Region Nordic and Central Europe. However, now that Europe is fast moving towards one single market, these two regional organizations have been merged into one, Region Europe.

The Board of KCI Konecranes International Plc has appointed Mr Harry Ollila, M.Sc. (Eng.) President of Region Europe as of January 1, 2000.

Mr William Maxwell, B.Sc., has been appointed Vice President, Region Europe and Managing Director, Lloyds Konecranes, the British Maintenance Service operation of the Group.

Maintenance Services

Two of the three Business Areas in KCI Konecranes International - Special Cranes and Standard Lifting Equipment - feature a unified global management structure where local management reports to global Business Area Heads. The Maintenance Services have been Regionally managed with no global co-ordination.
This is now going to change, as KCI Konecranes takes an active role in harmonising the global development in Maintenance Services.

The Board of KCI Konecranes appoints Mr Tom Sothard, B. Sc., to the position of President, World Wide Service Operations. This appointment is effective January 1, 2000. Tom Sothard reports to President & CEO Stig Gustavson.

Tom Sothard also continues on his present duties as Vice President, Region Americas.

KCI Konecranes is one of the leading crane companies in the world. The KCI Konecranes' activity is organized along three Business Areas: Maintenance Services, Standard Lifting Equipment and Special Cranes. In 1998, Maintenance Services represented 40 % of Group sales. Standard Lifting Equipment and Special Cranes, represented 32 % and 28 % respectively. In 1998, Group sales were EUR 597 million with well over 4000 employees in 34 countries all over the world.

For further information, please contact:
Markku Leinonen, Executive Vice President,
tel. +358-(0)20 427 2002