Manitex has reported first half revenues of $50 million, five percent lower than for the same period in 2007. However thanks to lower interest costs and the absence of restructuring charges, pre tax profits increased by seven percent to $836,000. The company has also seen substantial demand for its 50 ton truck crane which has helped boost its crane order book by 22 percent.  

Terex Crushing & Screening Equipment in India Terex has started work on a new factory in Hosur, India where it will manufacture Terex Pegson and Powerscreen mobile crushing and screening equipment. The plant, which is due to start production in mid-2009, will be built on a 45 acre (18.2 Ha) "campus" site that will be home to other Terex facilities in the future.  

Hyundai Expansion Plans Hyundai will add backhoe loaders to its range next year and is actively seeking companies to acquire for sales and product support. The company also has firm plans to add articulated dump trucks (ADTs) to its range. Speaking at the opening of Hyundai`s new branch office in UK, the company would add two backhoe loader models - 90 hp (67 kW) and 100 hp (75 kW) variants - to its range in the second half of 2009.  

Manitowoc Tower Crane Factory in Slovakia Manitowoc has officially opened its newest manufacturing plant in Velky Saris, Slovakia with an open day for customers, dealers and senior company management. The new plant builds tower cranes from Manitowoc`s Potain brand for customers in Russia, the CIS and Eastern Europe. The new factory would improve customer service in more than one way. 

Kobelco Expands Georgia Plant Kobelco Construction Machinery America LLC, a manufacturer of compact, mid-size and full-size excavators, announced that it is investing approximately $10.5 million in its Calhoun, Ga. operations. The company said $5 million has been appropriated for production expansion into a new 52,000 sq. ft.