Grove-Manitowoc to create 241 new jobs

Governor Ed Rendell appeared with Manitowoc official John Wheeler and employees in Shady Grove Tuesday morning to announce a state grant and expansion plan at the plant.

SHADY GROVE - Governor Edward G. Rendell stopped in Shady Grove Tuesday to announced that Manitowoc Crane Group will create at least 241 new manufacturing jobs over the next three years. Pennsylvania is investing nearly $600,000 to support the campaign.

While visiting the company's 305-acre factory campus July 25, Governor Rendell said Manitowoc will not only create 241 new jobs, but retain 1,559 existing employees as part of its $20.15 million capital project. the threeyear expansion plan will add jobs, update facilities and invest in new capital equipment at the Shady Grove facility, according to a company news release.

"When an industry leader like Manitowoc chooses to expand in the commonwealth, it sends a clear message to other companies that we can provide them with the resources they need to compete on a global level," Rendell said. "Our manufacturing-based programs and incentives can help companies gain the edge they need to succeed among intense economic competition.

"The creation of nearly 250 manufacturing jobs and the retention of over 1,500 more is great news for the hardworking men and women of Pennsylvania as well as the entire region. Our strategic investments in companies like Manitowoc, as well as our workforce, are paying dividends to all Pennsylvanians. We continue to add more jobs to our economy each month."

Working with the Franklin County Area Development Corporation, the state is investing $599,450 to help the company grow. Manitowoc Crane Group needs to increase its capacity to meet market demand. The company will purchase new machinery and equipment, and renovate its Shady Grove facility.

Manitowoc's Shady Grove facility is a campus-style factory where numerous sub-assembly plants supply two large final assembly facilities. The campus has 1.2 million square feet of covered manufacturing space.

The company is also eligible to apply for a $9.64 million loan through the Citizens Job Bank program, which offers low-interestrate loans to companies that commit to creating or expanding jobs in Pennsylvania.

"We are proud to be receiving this grant package from Governor Rendell and the state of Pennsylvania," said John Wheeler, Manitowoc Crane Group's executive vice president for the Americas. "We take our job creation role in the local community very seriously. These funds will help us update our facility and provide training to our new manufacturing personnel ensuring a safe workplace and the financial well-being of our employees.

The Governor's Action Team, under DCED, serves as a single point of contact for businesses that are interested in locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. Since January 2003, the Governor's Action Team has successfully completed 669 projects statewide resulting in commitments for the creation of 68,722 new jobs and the retention of 180,466 existing positions. The commonwealth has offered $1.18 billion in assistance for these projects, which will leverage more than $8.7 billion in additional investment.

Manitowoc was founded in Manitowoc, Wis., in 1902 as a shipbuilder. Since that time, the company has grown and diversified, entering the lattice-boom crane business in the mid-1920's and branching into commercial refrigeration equipment in the 1940's. Today, the company is comprised of three segments: cranes, foodservice equipment and marine. In each of these segments Manitowoc is the industry leader in market share, product innovation and product support services. The company has operations in more than 20 countries.