Hiab lays foundation for becoming the leader in customer satisfaction

HIAB PRESS RELEASE, 18 FEBRUARY 2013 AT 3 P.M. EET

Hiab, part of Cargotec corporation, revised its strategy in 2012. The related changes put the customer first, while focusing on profitable operations. In addition to embarking on a profitability drive, Hiab launched innovative products that fulfil customer needs. Cargotec's 2012 annual report is now available at http://annualreport2012.cargotec.com/

Hiab's President Axel Leijonhufvud:
 "Our goal is to provide better customer satisfaction than any other player in on-road load handling. We will continue to provide customers with Hiab products that are durable, high performing and easy to use. Innovative product launches are forthcoming this year. I'm also excited about meeting our customers at exhibitions and hearing their views on our new products and the future of load handling." 

"In 2012, we laid the foundations for Hiab's future. Our main drive was to improve profitability - an improved operating profit without restructuring costs shows that we made good progress. Profitability will continue to be our priority. Despite a challenging competitive situation, we were able to improve supply chain efficiency, build production flexibility, increase delivery volumes and develop our working practices. We took a strategic step in July when we informed of expanding our presence further in the Chinese load handling market through a joint venture with Sinotruk. We will move forward during 2013: this will be a year of transition, with Hiab operating more independently from Cargotec than before," says Leijonhufvud.

In 2012, Hiab introduced a new cabin for Hiab Loglift and Hiab Jonsered forestry cranes with better operator visibility and a user-friendly TimberTronics control system. Other product launches included a new Hiab XS 544 loader crane for heavy-duty work, with a new and improved boom system. A powerful new Zepro ZHD 3000 tail lift was unveiled, as was a new Hiab Multilift skiploader telescopic radio control and the Hiab Moffett LR30.3 for handling live poultry. Additionally, the Hiab Moffett E-Generation - the world's first electric truck-mounted forklift to be powered by lithium-ion batteries was introduced. In November 2012, the Noise Abatement Society presented Hiab with the John Connell Technology Award for the Hiab Moffett E-generation, characterising the forklift as a pioneering, practical and innovative solution. By lowering energy and fuel consumption, this new vehicle will improve customers' productivity, while minimising maintenance and running costs.

For more information, please contact
Axel Leijonhufvud, President, Hiab, tel. + 46 70 5983176
Joakim Andersson, Vice President Finance, Hiab, tel. + 46 37 237 8351
Pauliina Koivunen, External Communications Manager, tel. +358 20 777 5134

Hiab is the world's leading provider of on-road load handling equipment. Our high performance product range includes loader cranes, forestry and recycling cranes, demountables, truck-mounted forklifts and tail lifts. We aim to set the industry benchmark for customer satisfaction by providing products and services that meet customer needs globally. Hiab's workforce numbered 3,000 people in 2012.  www.hiab.com
 
Hiab is part of Cargotec. Cargotec's sales totalled EUR 3.3 billion in 2012 and it employs approximately 10,500 people. Cargotec's class B shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com