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GM Names Columbus McKinnon Subsidiary Supplier of the Year

30 April 1998

Columbus McKinnon Subsidiary Wins General Motors 1997 Supplier of the Year Award

            Automatic Systems, Inc. a Provider of Conveyor Systems

    AMHERST, N.Y., April 30 -- Columbus McKinnon Corporation
today announced that Automatic Systems, Inc. (ASI), the
main operating subsidiary of recently acquired LICO, Inc., has received a 1997
General Motors Worldwide Supplier of the Year award.  A designer and
manufacturer of conveyor systems, ASI was one of 182 suppliers recognized by
General Motors (GM) as a supplier of the year from its more than 30,000
supplier companies.
    In presenting the award, Harold R. Kutner, GM's vice president for
Worldwide Purchasing and North American Production Control and Logistics said,
"Automatic Systems demonstrated throughout 1997 that they are among the Best
of the Best suppliers for conveyor systems.  Automatic Systems is truly
globally competitive and, by virtue of this award, is recognized as a
worldwide leader in product development, technology, manufacturing, continuous
improvement, value and most importantly, quality."
    Columbus McKinnon President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Tevens
commented, "This prestigious award underscores the value added that LICO and
ASI bring to Columbus McKinnon as a major provider of integrated material
handling solutions.  To be designated a supplier of the year for GM, the
world's largest automobile manufacturer with the broadest product line, is
both a great honor and a favorable indicator of the strength of ASI's
relationship with a major customer.  It also speaks to the quality of ASI's
operations and management and bodes well for our future growth plans."
    LICO, through its main operating subsidiary, Automatic Systems, Inc.
("ASI"), is a leading designer, manufacturer, and installer of technically
advanced material handling systems including overhead and floor-mounted
conveyors, electrified monorail systems, robotic indexing systems, and
automatic body transfer systems primarily for the automotive industry.  Based
in Kansas City, Missouri, ASI provides custom engineered systems by
functioning either as a turnkey contractor or as a supplier working in
conjunction with the customer's general contractor.
    Columbus McKinnon is a broad-line designer, manufacturer, and supplier of
material handling products and integrated material handling systems widely
used by industrial end users and consumers.  Its chain and wire rope hoists,
alloy and high strength carbon steel chain, forged accessories and other
products are sold in a large number of domestic and international markets.

SOURCE  Columbus McKinnon Corporation