COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORP
10-Q, 1999-11-16
CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY & EQUIP
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 3, 1999

                                       or

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934.

For the transition period from                     to
                               -------------------    -------------------

Commission File Number:        0-27618
                               -------

     Columbus McKinnon Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     New York                                          16-0547600
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (State or other jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
      incorporation or organization)

     140 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst, NY                    14228-1197
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip code)

     (716) 689-5400
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (Former name,  former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
      report.)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. : [X] Yes [ ] No

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of October 31, 1999 was:
14,877,405 shares.



<PAGE>


                                 FORM 10-Q INDEX
                          COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
                                 OCTOBER 3, 1999


                                                                          Page #
                                                                          ------
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

         Condensed consolidated balance sheets -
            October 3, 1999 and March 31, 1999                                 2

         Condensed consolidated statements of income and retained earnings -
            Three months and six months ended October 3, 1999
            and September 27, 1998                                             3

         Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows -
            Six months ended October 3, 1999 and September 27, 1998            4

         Condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income -
            Three months  and six months ended October 3, 1999
            and September 27, 1998                                             5

         Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements -
            October 3, 1999                                                    6

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
            and Financial Condition                                           15


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings - none.                                          22

Item 2.    Changes in Securities - none.                                      22

Item 3.    Defaults upon Senior Securities - none.                            22

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                22

Item 5.    Other Information - none.                                          22

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                   23














                                     - 1 -
<PAGE>


PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.     Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                                         OCTOBER 3,    MARCH 31,
                                                                            1999         1999
                                                                         ---------    ---------
ASSETS:                                                                      (In thousands)
Current assets:
<S>                                                                      <C>          <C>
      Cash and cash equivalents ......................................   $  20,071    $   6,867
      Trade accounts receivable ......................................     132,762      136,988
      Unbilled revenues ..............................................      16,209        9,821
      Inventories ....................................................     114,001      115,979
      Net assets held for sale .......................................       8,803        8,214
      Prepaid expenses ...............................................       8,734        8,160
                                                                         ---------    ---------
Total current assets .................................................     300,580      286,029
Net property, plant, and equipment ...................................      90,059       90,004
Goodwill and other intangibles, net ..................................     353,428      357,727
Marketable securities ................................................      19,685       19,355
Deferred taxes on income .............................................       5,520        5,627
Other assets .........................................................       8,118        8,169
                                                                         ---------    ---------
Total assets .........................................................   $ 777,390    $ 766,911
                                                                         =========    =========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Current liabilities:
      Notes payable to banks .........................................   $   3,314    $   4,590
      Trade accounts payable .........................................      62,958       54,651
      Excess billings ................................................       7,094        5,058
      Accrued liabilities ............................................      38,131       54,331
      Current portion of long-term debt ..............................       1,853        1,926
                                                                         ---------    ---------
Total current liabilities ............................................     113,350      120,556
Senior debt, less current portion ....................................     230,548      222,165
Subordinated debt ....................................................     199,548      199,521
Other non-current liabilities ........................................      37,424       35,995
                                                                         ---------    ---------
Total liabilities ....................................................     580,870      578,237
Shareholders' equity:
      Common stock ...................................................         149          146
      Additional paid-in capital .....................................     107,228      102,313
      Retained earnings ..............................................     105,383      100,455
      ESOP debt guarantee ............................................      (9,447)      (9,865)
      Unearned restricted stock ......................................      (4,004)      (1,009)
      Total accumulated other comprehensive income loss ..............      (2,789)      (3,366)
                                                                         ---------    ---------
Total shareholders' equity ...........................................     196,520      188,674
                                                                         ---------    ---------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity ...........................   $ 777,390    $ 766,911
                                                                         =========    =========
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
                                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
                                                              (UNAUDITED)






                                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED          SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                        ------------------------   -------------------------
                                                                        OCTOBER 3,  SEPTEMBER 27,  OCTOBER 3,  SEPTEMBER 27,
                                                                           1999          1998         1999          1998
                                                                           ----          ----         ----          ----
                                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT  PER SHARE DATA)




<S>                                                                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net sales ............................................................   $ 182,008    $ 185,357    $ 363,609    $ 369,974
Cost of products sold ................................................     142,276      138,315      276,764      275,618
                                                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Gross profit .........................................................      39,732       47,042       86,845       94,356

Selling expenses .....................................................      12,412       12,819       25,170       25,691
General and administrative expenses ..................................      10,912        9,780       20,269       19,219
Proxy contest related expenses .......................................         835         --            965         --
Amortization of intangibles ..........................................       4,000        3,865        8,002        7,643
                                                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                                            28,159       26,464       54,406       52,553

Income from operations ...............................................      11,573       20,578       32,439       41,803
Interest and debt expense ............................................       8,294        9,302       16,573       18,250
Interest and other income ............................................         306          262          553          633
                                                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Income before income taxes ...........................................       3,585       11,538       16,419       24,186
Income tax expense ...................................................       3,074        5,614        9,513       11,887
                                                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Net income ...........................................................         511        5,924        6,906       12,299
Retained earnings - beginning of period ..............................     105,865       82,179      100,455       76,744
Cash dividends of $0.07, $0.07, $0.14 and
   $0.14 per share ...................................................        (993)        (943)      (1,978)      (1,883)
                                                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Retained earnings - end of period ....................................   $ 105,383    $  87,160    $ 105,383    $  87,160

Earnings per share data, basic: ......................................   $    0.04    $    0.41    $    0.49    $    0.86
Earnings per share data, diluted: ....................................   $    0.04    $    0.41    $    0.49    $    0.85


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>







                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                          COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                                           SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                           ----------------
                                                                        OCTOBER 3,  SEPTEMBER 27,
                                                                          1999          1998
                                                                        ----------  ------------
                                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                                      <C>         <C>
Net income ...........................................................   $  6,906    $ 12,299
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization ..................................     14,412      13,570
     Deferred income taxes ...........................................        172         (25)
      Other ..........................................................        436         115
      Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of effects
         from businesses purchased:
           Trade accounts receivable .................................      5,954     (21,013)
           Unbilled revenues and excess billings .....................     (4,352)      5,318
           Inventories ...............................................      2,949       2,255
           Prepaid expenses ..........................................       (572)        190
           Other assets ..............................................        (92)       (367)
           Trade accounts payable ....................................      7,008     (12,877)
           Accrued and non-current liabilities .......................    (13,094)      4,715
                                                                         --------    --------
Net cash provided by operating activities ............................     19,727       4,180
                                                                         --------    --------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
(Purchase) sale of marketable securities, net ........................       (796)        438
Capital expenditures .................................................     (5,130)     (5,621)
Proceeds from sale of businesses .....................................          -       9,301
Purchases of businesses, net of cash .................................     (6,410)     (7,323)
Net assets held for sale .............................................       (589)      1,403
                                                                         --------    --------
Net cash used in investing activities ................................    (12,925)     (1,802)
                                                                         --------    --------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock ...............................          3           -
Net borrowings under revolving line-of-credit agreements .............      7,524       1,594
Repayment of debt ....................................................       (490)     (6,363)
Dividends paid .......................................................     (1,978)     (1,883)
Reduction of ESOP debt guarantee .....................................        418         436
Other ................................................................       (131)       (891)
                                                                         --------    --------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ..................      5,346      (7,107)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ..............................      1,056        (967)
                                                                         --------    --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents .................     13,204      (5,696)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period .....................      6,867      22,861
                                                                         --------    --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ...........................   $ 20,071    $ 17,165
                                                                         ========    ========

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                     COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
                                       CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                                                              (UNAUDITED)

                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED        SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                          ------------------        ----------------
                                                                        OCTOBER 3,  SEPTEMBER 27, OCTOBER 3,  SEPTEMBER 27,
                                                                            1999        1998         1999        1998
                                                                            ----        ----         ----        ----
                                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)

<S>                                                                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net income ...........................................................   $    511    $  5,924    $  6,906    $ 12,299
                                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
  Foreign currency translation adjustments ...........................        528         207       1,043         (62)
  Unrealized gains on investments:
    Unrealized holding gains arising during
      the period .....................................................       (455)       (268)       (402)       (221)
    Less:  reclassification adjustment for gains
      included in net income .........................................        (64)         50         (64)        (26)
                                                                             (519)       (218)       (466)       (247)
                                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------
Total other comprehensive income (loss) ..............................          9         (11)        577        (309)
                                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------
Comprehensive income .................................................   $    520    $  5,913    $  7,483    $ 11,990
                                                                         ========    ========    ========    ========


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>




























                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>



                          COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                 OCTOBER 3, 1999


1.   The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have
     been prepared in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles
     for  interim  financial  information.  In the  opinion of  management,  all
     adjustments  (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary
     for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company at October
     3, 1999, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three
     and six month periods  ended  October 3, 1999 and September 27, 1998,  have
     been  included.  Results  for the  period  ended  October  3,  1999 are not
     necessarily  indicative  of the results  that may be expected  for the year
     ended March 31, 2000. For further  information,  refer to the  consolidated
     financial  statements  and  footnotes  thereto  included  in  the  Columbus
     McKinnon  Corporation  annual  report on Form 10-K for the year ended March
     31, 1999.


     Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation  (the  Company)  is  a  leading  broad-line
     designer,  manufacturer  and supplier of  sophisticated  material  handling
     products  and  integrated  material  handling  solutions  that  are  widely
     distributed to industrial,  automotive, and consumer markets worldwide. The
     Company's   material   handling   products  are  sold,   domestically   and
     internationally,  principally to third party distributors in commercial and
     consumer  distribution  channels,  and  to  a  lesser  extent  directly  to
     manufacturers  and  other  end-users.  The  Company's  integrated  material
     handling  solutions  businesses  primarily  deal with end  users.  Material
     handling solution sales are concentrated,  domestically and internationally
     (primarily  Europe),  in the automotive  industry,  and consumer  products,
     manufacturing,   warehousing   and,   to  a  lesser   extent,   the  steel,
     construction, and other industrial markets.



2.   Inventories consisted of the following:
                                              OCTOBER 3,         MARCH 31,
                                                1999               1999
                                             -----------        -----------
                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
     At cost - FIFO basis:
        Raw materials                        $    59,475        $    54,648
        Work-in-process                           20,738             21,663
        Finished goods                            39,163             45,042
                                             -----------        -----------
                                                 119,376            121,353
     LIFO cost less than FIFO cost                (5,375)            (5,374)
                                             -----------        -----------
                                             $   114,001        $   115,979
                                             ===========        ===========

     An actual  valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at
     the end of each year based on the inventory  levels and costs at that time.
     Accordingly,  interim  LIFO  calculations  must  necessarily  be  based  on
     management's  estimates of expected  year-end  inventory  levels and costs.
     Because  these are  subject to many  forces  beyond  management's  control,
     interim results are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation.






                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

3.   Property,  plant,  and equipment is net of $48,458,000  and  $42,048,000 of
     accumulated   depreciation   at  October  3,  1999  and  March  31,   1999,
     respectively.

4.   Goodwill and other intangibles, net includes $37,866,000 and $29,864,000 of
     accumulated   amortization   at  October  3,  1999  and  March  31,   1999,
     respectively.

5.   General and Product  Liability - The accrued general and product  liability
     costs,  which  are  included  in  other  non-current  liabilities,  are the
     actuarial  present  value  of  estimated   expenditures  based  on  amounts
     determined  from loss reports and individual  cases filed with the Company,
     and an  amount,  based on past  experience,  for  losses  incurred  but not
     reported.  The accrual in these condensed consolidated financial statements
     was  determined  by  applying a discount  factor  based on  interest  rates
     customarily used in the insurance industry.

6.   To manage its exposure to interest  rate  fluctuations,  the Company has an
     interest  rate swap with a notional  value of $3.5  million from January 2,
     1999 through July 2, 2000, based on LIBOR at 5.9025%.  The Company also has
     a LIBOR-based  interest rate cap on $49.5 million of debt through  December
     16, 1999 at 10%. Net payments or receipts under the swap and cap agreements
     are recorded as adjustments to interest expense. The carrying amount of the
     Company's  senior  debt  instruments  approximates  the  fair  values.  The
     Company's  subordinated  debt  has an  approximate  fair  market  value  of
     $168,000,000 which is less than its carrying amount of $199,548,000.


7.   The  following  table  sets  forth the  computation  of basic  and  diluted
     earnings per share before extraordinary charge for debt extinguishment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED          SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                    ------------------          ----------------
                                                OCTOBER 3,  SEPTEMBER 27,   OCTOBER 3,  SEPTEMBER 27,
                                                   1999         1998           1999            1998
                                                -------------------------   ----------  ------------

     Numerator for basic and
       diluted earnings per share:
<S>                                             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
       Income before extraordinary charge ...   $   511,000   $ 5,924,000   $ 6,906,000   $12,299,000
                                                ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========

     Denominators:
       Weighted-average common stock
        outstanding - denominator
        for basic EPS .......................    14,153,000    14,353,000    14,060,000    14,341,000

  Effect of dilutive employee stock options .        75,000       159,000       150,000       184,000
                                                 ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------

  Adjusted weighted-average common stock
     outstanding and assumed conversions -
     denominator for diluted EPS ............    14,228,000    14,512,000    14,210,000    14,525,000
                                                 ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========
</TABLE>


8.   Income tax expense for the  three-month  periods  ended October 3, 1999 and
     September  27, 1998 and also for the six month  periods then ended  exceeds
     the  customary  relationship  between  income tax expense and income before
     income taxes due to  nondeductible  amortization of goodwill of $4,000,000,
     $3,865,000, $8,002,000, and $7,643,000, respectively.


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

9.   On April 29, 1999,  the Company  acquired all of the  outstanding  stock of
     Washington Equipment Company ("WECO"), a regional manufacturer and servicer
     of overhead cranes. The total cost of the acquisition,  which was accounted
     for as a purchase,  was approximately $6.4 million of cash and was financed
     by proceeds from the Company's revolving debt facility.

     On March 1, 1999, GL International, Inc. ("GL"), was  merged with  and into
     the Company  through the issuance of 897,114 shares of newly issued Company
     stock and  options to  purchase  154,848  shares of  Company  stock for all
     issued  and  outstanding  stock and  options  of GL.  GL is a  full-service
     designer  and  builder  of  industrial  overhead  bridge and jib cranes and
     related components.  The merger was accounted for as a pooling of interests
     and,  accordingly,  the fiscal 1999 consolidated  financial statements have
     been  restated  to  include  the  accounts  of GL  from  the  date  of GL's
     formation,  April 1, 1997.  The fair market  value of the stock and options
     exchanged was approximately $20.6 million.

     Net sales and net income of the separate companies were as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED                    SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                     SEPTEMBER 27, 1998                   SEPTEMBER 27, 1998
                                                     ------------------                   ------------------
                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)                       (IN THOUSANDS)

Net sales:

<S>                                                  <C>                                  <C>
     Columbus McKinnon, as reported.............     $        168,634                     $        339,138
     GL International, Inc......................               18,542                               34,473
     Intercompany eliminations..................               (1,819)                              (3,637)
                                                     ----------------                     ----------------
     Combined...................................     $        185,357                     $        369,974
                                                     ================                     ================

Net income:

     Columbus McKinnon, as reported.............     $          5,085                     $         11,169
     GL International, Inc......................                  791                                1,036
     Intercompany eliminations..................                   48                                   94
                                                     ----------------                     ----------------
     Combined...................................     $          5,924                     $         12,299
                                                     ================                     ================

</TABLE>


     On January 29, 1999, the Company  acquired all of the outstanding  stock of
     Camlok Lifting  Clamps Limited  ("Camlok") and the net assets of the Tigrip
     product line  ("Tigrip")  for $10.6 million in cash.  The  acquisition  was
     accounted  for as a purchase  and was  financed  through  cash, a revolving
     credit  facility,  and a $4 million term note.  Camlok  manufactures  plate
     clamps,  crane  weighers  and  related  products  and is based in  Chester,
     England,  while the Tigrip line of standard and specialized plate clamps is
     produced in Germany.


     On December 4, 1998, the Company  acquired all of the outstanding  stock of
     Societe  D'Exploitation  des Raccords Gautier  ("Gautier"),  a French-based
     manufacturer of industrial  components.  The total cost of the acquisition,
     which was  accounted  for as a purchase,  was  approximately  $3 million in
     cash,  consisting  of $2.4 million  financed by proceeds from the Company's
     revolving debt facility and the assumption of certain debt.





                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

     On August 21, 1998 the Company  acquired the net assets of Abell-Howe Crane
     division  ("Abell-Howe") of Abell-Howe Company, a regional  manufacturer of
     jib, gantry,  and bridge cranes.  The total cost of the acquisition,  which
     was  accounted  for as a purchase,  was  approximately  $7 million of cash,
     which was financed by proceeds from the Company's revolving debt facility.

     On August 7, 1998 the Company  sold its  Mechanical  Products  division,  a
     producer of circuit  controls and  protection  devices,  for $11.5 million,
     consisting of $9.1 million in cash and a $2.4 million note  receivable,  to
     Mechanical Products' senior management team. The selling price approximated
     the net book value of the division.

     The  following  table  presents pro forma summary  information  for the six
     month  period  ended  September  27,  1998 as if the  fiscal  1999 and 2000
     acquisitions and related borrowings and the sale of Mechanical Products had
     occurred as of April 1, 1998,  which is the  beginning of fiscal 1999.  The
     pro forma  information is provided for  informational  purposes only. It is
     based on historical information and does not necessarily reflect the actual
     results that would have occurred nor is it necessarily indicative of future
     results of operations of the combined enterprise:

                                                  SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                 SEPTEMBER 27, 1998
                                                 ------------------
                                          (IN THOUSANDS,  EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
     Pro forma:
          Net sales                                 $  369,731
          Income from operations                        41,697
          Net income                                    12,287
          Earnings per share, basic                       0.86
          Earnings per share, diluted                     0.85































                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>



10.  As a result of the way the Company  manages the  business,  its  reportable
     segments are strategic business units that offer products and services with
     different  characteristics.  The most defining characteristic is the extent
     of customized  engineering required on a per-order basis. In addition,  the
     segments  serve  different  customer  bases  through  differing  methods of
     distribution.  The Company has three reportable segments: material handling
     products,   integrated  material  handling  solutions  -  industrial,   and
     integrated material handling solutions - automotive. The Company's material
     handling  products  segment sells  hoists,  chain,  attachments,  and other
     material  handling  products  principally  to third party  distributors  in
     commercial  and  consumer  distribution  channels.  The  material  handling
     solutions  segments  sell  engineered  material  handling  systems  such as
     conveyors,  manipulators,  and lift tables  primarily  to  end-users in the
     automotive  segment,  general  manufacturing,   warehousing,  and  consumer
     products manufacturing industries.  The accounting policies of the segments
     are the same as those  described in the summary of  significant  accounting
     policies.  Intersegment  sales are not significant.  The Company  evaluates
     performance  based on operating  earnings of the respective  business units
     prior to the effects of amortization.


     Segment  information  as of and for the six  months  ended  October 3, 1999
     and September 27, 1998, is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             SIX MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1999
                                             SOLUTIONS -     SOLUTIONS -        ELIMINATIONS/
                                  PRODUCTS   INDUSTRIAL      AUTOMOTIVE            OTHER                TOTAL
                                  --------   ----------      ----------         -------------           ------
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                             <C>           <C>             <C>                <C>                  <C>
Sales to external customers .   $ 270,552     $  27,250       $  76,321          $ (10,514)           $ 363,609
Operating income before
  amortization ..............      41,577         2,639          (2,629)            (1,146)              40,441
Depreciation and amortization      10,034         1,551           2,827                  -               14,412
Total assets ................     520,710        69,015         187,665                  -              777,390
Capital expenditures ........       4,491           511             128                  -                5,130
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1998
                                             SOLUTIONS -     SOLUTIONS -        ELIMINATIONS/
                                  PRODUCTS   INDUSTRIAL      AUTOMOTIVE            OTHER                TOTAL
                                  --------   ----------      ----------         -------------           -----
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                              <C>           <C>             <C>                <C>                  <C>
Sales to external customers .    $260,815      $ 28,032        $ 83,569           $ (2,442)            $369,974
Operating income before
  amortization...............      36,429         2,602           9,714                701               49,446
Depreciation and amortization       8,917         1,500           2,832                321               13,570
Total assets ................     517,988        69,288         194,305                  -              781,581
Capital expenditures ........       4,486           997             136                  2                5,621
</TABLE>





                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>


     The following schedule provides a reconciliation of operating income before
     amortization with consolidated income before income taxes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                      ----------------
                                            OCTOBER 3, 1999  SEPTEMBER 27, 1998
                                            ---------------  ------------------
                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                             <C>              <C>
     Operating income before amortization       $ 40,441         $ 49,446

     Amortization of intangibles ........          8,002            7,643
     Interest and debt expense ..........         16,573           18,250
     Interest and other income ..........           (553)            (633)
                                                --------         --------
     Income before income taxes .........       $ 16,419         $ 24,186
                                                ========         ========
</TABLE>







































                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

11.  The summary  financial  information  of the parent,  domestic  subsidiaries
     (guarantors)  and foreign  subsidiaries  (nonguarantors  of the 8.5% senior
     subordinated notes) follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Domestic     Foreign     Elimina-    Consoli-
(In thousands)                                       Parent   Subsidiaries Subsidiaries    Tions      dated
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------
As of October 3, 1999 Current assets:
<S>                                                <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
 Cash and cash equivalents .....................   $  9, 522    $   5,264    $   5,285    $       -    $  20,071
 Trade accounts receivable .....................      51,152       56,998       24,612            -      132,762
 Unbilled revenues .............................           -       16,209            -            -       16,209
 Inventories ...................................      48,308       39,570       27,134       (1,011)     114,001
 Other current assets ..........................       2,893       10,966        3,678            -       17,537
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
  Total current assets .........................     111,875      129,007       60,709       (1,011)     300,580
Net property, plant, and equipment .............      36,588       33,094       20,377            -       90,059
Goodwill and other intangibles, net ............      41,849      258,569       53,010            -      353,428
Intercompany ...................................     206,658     (371,663)     (67,193)     232,198            -
Other assets ...................................     221,004      162,472       (1,474)    (348,679)      33,323
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------

  Total assets .................................   $ 617,974    $ 211,479    $  65,429   $ (117,492)   $ 777,390
                                                   =============================================================


Current liabilities ............................   $  31,992    $  56,845    $  22,859    $   1,654    $ 113,350
Long-term debt, less current portion ...........     423,280            -          6,816          -      430,096
Other non-current liabilities ..................      12,233       22,055        3,136            -       37,424
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
  Total liabilities ............................     467,505       78,900       32,811        1,654      580,870

Shareholders' equity ...........................     150,469      132,579       32,618     (119,146)     196,520
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------

  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity ...   $ 617,974    $ 211,479    $  65,429    $(117,492)   $ 777,390
                                                   =============================================================


For the Six Months Ended October 3, 1999
Net sales ......................................   $ 132,442    $ 180,063    $  61,618    $ (10,514)   $ 363,609
Cost of products sold ..........................      90,973      152,089       44,179      (10,477)     276,764
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit ...................................      41,469       27,974       17,439          (37)      86,845
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Selling, general and administrative expenses ...      19,761       14,867       11,776            -       46,404
Amortization of intangibles ....................         980        5,732        1,290            -        8,002
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      20,741       20,599       13,066            -       54,406
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Income from operations .........................      20,728        7,375        4,373          (37)      32,439
Interest and debt expense ......................      16,204            5          364            -       16,573
Interest and other income ......................         292          157          104            -          553
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes .....................       4,816        7,527        4,113          (37)      16,419
Income tax expense .............................       2,261        5,311        1,956          (15)       9,513
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Net income .....................................   $   2,555    $   2,216    $   2,157    $     (22)   $   6,906
                                                   =============================================================


For the Six Months Ended October 3, 1999
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities ......   $   3,994    $  12,720    $   2,862    $     151    $  19,727
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------

Investing activities:
Purchase of marketable securities, net .........        (796)          -             -            -         (796)
Capital expenditures ...........................      (2,892)      (1,045)      (1,193)           -       (5,130)
Purchases of businesses, net of cash ...........           -       (6,361)           -          (49)      (6,410)
Other ..........................................           -         (589)           -            -         (589)
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities ..........      (3,688)      (7,995)      (1,193)         (49)     (12,925)
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock .........           3          136            -         (136)           3
Net borrowings (payments) under revolving
  line-of-credit agreements ....................       8,800            -       (1,276)           -        7,524
Repayment of debt ..............................      (1,009)           -          519            -         (490)
Dividends paid .................................      (1,974)          (5)           1            -       (1,978)
Other ..........................................         287            -            -            -          287
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
  activities....................................       6,107          131         (756)        (136)       5,346
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ........           -            -        1,022           34        1,056
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents ........       6,413        4,856        1,935            -       13,204
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period       3,109          408        3,350            -        6,867
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period .....   $   9,522    $   5,264    $   5,285    $       -    $  20,071
                                                   =============================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              Domestic      Foreign      Elimina-    Consoli-
(In thousands)                                     Parent   Subsidiaries  Subsidiaries    Tions        Dated
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
As of September 27, 1998 Current assets:
<S>                                                <C>         <C>            <C>           <C>       <C>
 Cash and cash equivalents .....................   $  17,038    $  (3,493)   $   3,620    $       -   $  17,165
 Trade accounts receivable .....................      57,073       65,663       23,067            -     145,803
 Unbilled revenues .............................           -       16,659            -            -      16,659
 Inventories ...................................      46,479       41,707       23,551         (996)    110,741
 Other current assets ..........................       1,742       10,278        3,865            -      15,885
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------
  Total current assets .........................     122,332      130,814       54,103         (996)     306,253
Net property, plant, and equipment .............      34,567       33,196       18,672            -       86,435
Goodwill and other intangibles, net ............      43,511      264,816       48,535            -      356,862
Intercompany ...................................     214,865     (380,000)     (64,073)     229,208            -
Other assets ...................................     218,229      162,119       (2,184)    (346,133)      32,031
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
  Total assets .................................   $ 633,504    $ 210,945    $  55,053    $(117,921)   $ 781,581
                                                   =============================================================



Current liabilities ............................   $  31,098    $  60,651    $  21,120    $    (559)   $ 112,310
Long-term debt, less current portion ...........     441,088        3,031        3,358            -      447,477
Other non-current liabilities ..................      10,725       25,192        3,537            -       39,454
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
  Total liabilities ............................     482,911       88,874       28,015         (559)     599,241

Shareholders' equity ...........................     150,593      122,071       27,038     (117,362)     182,340
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity ...   $ 633,504    $ 210,945    $  55,053    $(117,921)   $ 781,581
                                                   =============================================================

For the Six Months Ended September 27, 1998
Net sales ......................................   $ 130,613    $ 190,376    $  59,009    $ (10,024)   $ 369,974
Cost of products sold ..........................      93,092      149,422       43,282      (10,178)     275,618
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit ...................................      37,521       40,954       15,727          154       94,356
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Selling, general and administrative expenses ...      17,372       17,435       10,103            -       44,910
Amortization of intangibles ....................         976        5,613        1,054            -        7,643
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      18,348       23,048       11,157            -       52,553
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Income from operations .........................      19,173       17,906        4,570          154       41,803
Interest and debt expense ......................      17,358          618          274            -       18,250
Interest and other income ......................         752           50         (169)           -          633
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes .....................       2,567       17,338        4,127          154       24,186
Income tax expense .............................       1,375        8,444        2,008           60       11,887
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Net income .....................................   $   1,192    $   8,894    $   2,119    $      94    $  12,299
                                                   =============================================================

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>

For the Six Months Ended September 27, 1998
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
  activities ...................................   $   5,415    $  (4,256)   $   2,971    $      50    $   4,180
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------

Investing activities:
Purchase of marketable securities, net .........         438            -            -            -          438
Capital expenditures ...........................      (3,720)        (768)      (1,133)           -       (5,621)
Proceeds from sale of businesses ...............       9,390          (89)           -            -        9,301
Purchases of businesses, net of cash ...........      (7,000)        (323)           -            -       (7,323)
Other ..........................................           -        1,403            -            -        1,403
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing
  activities ...................................        (892)         223       (1,133)           -       (1,802)
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------


Financing activities:
Net payments under revolving
  line-of-credit agreements ....................      (2,600)       5,819       (1,625)           -        1,594
Repayment of debt ..............................        (537)      (6,067)         241            -       (6,363)
Dividends paid .................................      (1,883)           -            -            -       (1,883)
Other ..........................................        (455)           -            -            -         (455)
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in financing activities ..........      (5,475)        (248)      (1,384)           -       (7,107)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ........          (1)           -         (916)         (50)        (967)
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents ........        (953)      (4,281)        (462)           -       (5,696)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period      17,991          788        4,082            -       22,861
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period .....   $  17,038    $  (3,493)   $   3,620    $       -    $  17,165
                                                   =============================================================
</TABLE>




12.  In June 1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  (FASB)  issued
     Statement  No. 133,  "Accounting  for  Derivative  Instruments  and Hedging
     Activities"  (SFAS 133).  In June 1999,  the FASB  issued  SFAS 137,  which
     defers the effective date of SFAS 133 to fiscal years  beginning after June
     15, 2000.  SFAS133  establishes  accounting  and  reporting  standards  for
     derivative  instruments and hedging  activities.  It requires that entities
     recognize all  derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement
     of financial  position and measure  those  instruments  at fair value.  The
     intended use of the derivative and its designation as either (1) a hedge of
     the  exposure  to  changes  in the  fair  value  of a  recognized  asset or
     liability  or a firm  commitment  (a fair  value  hedge) (2) a hedge of the
     exposure to variable  cash flows of a forecasted  transaction  (a cash flow
     hedge), or (3) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment
     in a foreign operation (a foreign currency hedge),  will determine when the
     gains and losses on the  derivatives are reported in earnings and when they
     are to be  reported  as a  component  of other  comprehensive  income.  The
     adoption  of SFAS 133 is not  expected  to have a  material  impact  on the
     financial position or results of operations of the Company.

13.  In its October 26th,  1999 second  quarter  earnings  release,  the Company
     announced its plan to engage an advisor to explore  strategic  alternatives
     for  the  Company's  Solutions-Automotive  segment  made  up  of  Automatic
     Systems,  Inc. ("ASI"). The strategic  alternatives to be evaluated include
     the   sale  of  ASI,   restructuring   of  its   operational   focus,   and
     diversification of the markets it serves. The strategic evaluation and plan
     for ASI are expected to be completed within the next two to three months.



                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>



Item 2.              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

OVERVIEW

The  Company  is  a   broad-line   designer,   manufacturer,   and  supplier  of
sophisticated  material  handling  products  and  integrated  material  handling
solutions that are widely  distributed  to  industrial,  automotive and consumer
markets   worldwide.   The  Company's   material  handling  products  are  sold,
domestically  and  internationally,  principally to third party  distributors in
commercial and consumer distribution  channels,  and to a lesser extent directly
to manufacturers and other end-users.  Commercial  distribution channels include
general distributors,  specialty distributors,  service-after-sale distributors,
original   equipment   manufacturers   ("OEMs"),   and  the  U.S.  and  Canadian
governments.  The general distributors are comprised of industrial distributors,
rigging shops and crane builders. Specialty distributors include catalog houses,
material  handling   specialists  and  entertainment   equipment  riggers.   The
service-after-sale  network includes repair parts  distribution  centers,  chain
service  centers,  and hoist  repair  centers.  Consumer  distribution  channels
include mass merchandisers,  hardware distributors,  trucking and transportation
distributors,  farm  hardware  distributors  and rental  outlets.  The Company's
integrated material handling solutions businesses primarily deal with end-users.
Material   handling   solution   sales  are   concentrated,   domestically   and
internationally  (primarily  Europe), in the automotive  industry,  and consumer
products  manufacturing,  warehousing  and,  to  a  lesser  extent,  the  steel,
construction and other industrial markets.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS AND SIX MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1999 AND SEPTEMBER 27, 1998
Net sales in the fiscal 2000 quarter ended October 3, 1999 were $182,008,000,  a
decrease of $3,349,000 or 1.8% from the fiscal 1999 quarter ended  September 27,
1998.  Net sales for the six months ended October 3, 1999 were  $363,609,000,  a
decrease of  $6,365,000  or 1.7% from the six months ended  September  27, 1998.
Sales in the Products  segment were  consistent with the previous year's quarter
as the  addition  of WECO and  Abell-Howe  offset  softness  in most  industrial
markets.  Sales were up  $9,737,000  or 3.7% for the six months ended October 3,
1999 over the prior year period,  also primarily as a result of the additions of
WECO and  Abell-Howe as well as some strength from the first  quarter.  Sales in
the  Solutions-Industrial  segment rose 11.8% or $1,479,000 for the three months
ended October 3, 1999 as a result of strength in the Scandinavian markets. Sales
for the six months  ended  October 3, 1999 are down 2.8% or $782,000 as a result
of a sluggish Scandinavian market in the first quarter and continued softness in
the scissor lift market. The  Solutions-Automotive  segment had a sales decrease
of 6.0% or $2,618,000  for the quarter and 8.7% or $7,248,000 for the six months
ended October 3, 1999.  The  decreases  are the result of the lagging  impact of
General Motors  business due to its shifting of capital  spending from small car
to  truck  and  Sport  Utility  Vehicle  (SUV)  plants.   The  decrease  in  the
Eliminations/Other segment for the three and six months ended October 3, 1999 is
a result of the sale of Mechanical Products in August of 1998.














                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>

Sales in the  individual  segments were as follows,  in thousands of dollars and
with percentage changes for each group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         Three Months Ended                             Six Months Ended
                         ------------------                             ----------------
                         Oct. 3,     Sep. 27,        Change             Oct. 3,    Sep. 27,          Change
                                                     ------                                          ------
                          1999         1998      Amount     %            1999        1998        Amount     %
                          ----         ----      ------     -            ----        ----        ------     -
                                           (In thousands, except percentages)

<S>                <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>
Products               $ 131,764    $ 132,300    $ (536)   (0.4)     $  270,552    $ 260,815    $ 9,737     3.7
Solutions-Industrial      13,994       12,515     1,479    11.8          27,250       28,032       (782)   (2.8)
Solutions-Automotive      40,773       43,391    (2,618)   (6.0)         76,321       83,569     (7,248)   (8.7)
Eliminations/Other        (4,523)      (2,849)   (1,674)  (58.8)        (10,514)      (2,442)    (8,072) (330.5)
                       ---------    ---------   -------              ----------    ---------    -------
    Net sales          $ 182,008    $ 185,357   $(3,349)   (1.8)     $  363,609    $ 369,974    $(6,365)   (1.7)
                       =========    =========   =======              ==========    =========    =======

</TABLE>



The Company's gross profit margins were  approximately  21.8%,  25.4%, 23.9% and
25.5% for the  fiscal  2000 and 1999  quarters  and the six months  then  ended,
respectively.  The decrease in the current  quarter and six-month  period margin
relative  to the  respective  periods in the prior year is the result of varying
effects  among the company's  segments.  The gross profit margin in the Products
segment  for the  quarter  and six month  periods  ended  October 3, 1999 showed
continued  improvement over the respective periods in the prior year as a result
of the continued integration of acquisitions including  consolidated  purchasing
efforts.  The  Solutions-Industrial  segment  experienced  a slight  increase in
margins for the current quarter and six-month periods when compared to the prior
year   as  a   result   of   the   same   strategies.   Gross   margin   in  the
Solutions-Automotive  segment  decreased  significantly  for the quarter and six
month  period  ended  October  3, 1999 as a result of cost  overruns  on several
foreign jobs and reduced volume created by GM's delay in capital spending due to
a shift in its spending from small car to truck and SUV plants.

Selling expenses were $12,412,000,  $12,819,000,  $25,170,000 and $25,691,000 in
the fiscal 2000 and 1999  quarters and the six months then ended,  respectively.
As a percentage of consolidated  net sales,  selling  expenses were 6.8%,  6.9%,
6.9% and 6.9% in the fiscal  2000 and 1999  quarters  and the six month  periods
then ended, respectively.

General and administrative  expenses were $10,912,000  $9,780,000,  $20,269,000,
and  $19,219,000  in the fiscal 2000 and 1999  quarters  and the six months then
ended, respectively.  The fiscal 2000 expenses were impacted by the additions of
WECO and  Abell-Howe.  As a percentage of  consolidated  net sales,  general and
administrative  expenses were 6.0%,  5.3%,  5.6% and 5.2% in the fiscal 2000 and
1999 quarters and the six months then ended, respectively.

The Company  incurred proxy contest related  expenses  amounting to $835,000 and
$965,000,  respectively  in the  quarter  and six months  ended  October 3, 1999
relative to the August 16, 1999 annual shareholders  meeting and annual director
elections.

Amortization  of  intangibles  was   $4,000,000,   $3,865,000,   $8,002,000  and
$7,643,000  in the fiscal 2000 and 1999  quarters and the six months then ended,
respectively.  The fiscal 2000 increase is due to the  amortization  of goodwill
resulting from the acquisitions of Abell-Howe, Gautier, Camlok-Tigrip, and WECO.



                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>

As a result of the above, income from operations  decreased  $9,005,000 or 43.8%
in the fiscal 2000 quarter and decreased  $9,364,000 or 22.4% in the fiscal 2000
six month period  compared to the  respective  periods in fiscal  1999.  This is
based on income from operations of  $11,573,000,  $20,578,000,  32,439,000,  and
$41,803,000  in the fiscal 2000 and 1999  quarters  and  six-month  periods then
ended, respectively.

Interest  and  debt  expense  was  $8,294,000,   $9,302,000,   $16,573,000,  and
$18,250,000  in the fiscal 2000 and 1999 quarters and the six months then ended,
respectively.  The fiscal 2000  decrease is primarily due to the payment of debt
based on strong  operating  cash flow over the last 12 months less funds used to
finance  acquisitions.  As a percentage of consolidated net sales,  interest and
debt expense was 4.6%, 5.0%, 4.6%, and 4.9% in the fiscal 2000 and 1999 quarters
and the six months then ended, respectively.

Interest and other income was $306,000,  $262,000, $553,000, and $633,000 in the
fiscal 2000 and 1999 quarters and the six months then ended, respectively.

Income taxes as a percentage of income  before  income taxes were 85.7%,  48.7%,
57.9% and 49.1% in the fiscal  2000 and 1999  quarters  and the six months  then
ended,  respectively.  The  percentages  reflect  the  effect  of  nondeductible
amortization of goodwill resulting from acquisitions.

Net income,  therefore,  decreased  $5,413,000  or 91.4% for the  quarter  ended
October 3, 1999 and decreased $5,393,000 or 43.8% for the six months then ended.
This is based on net income of $511,000, $5,924,000, $6,906,000, and $12,299,000
for the quarters and  six-month  periods ended October 3, 1999 and September 27,
1998, respectively.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

On  April  29,  1999,  the  Company  acquired  all of the  outstanding  stock of
Washington  Equipment  Company (WECO) for $6.4 million in cash,  financed by the
Company's revolving credit facility.

On March 1, 1999,  GL was merged with and into the Company  through the issuance
of 897,114 shares of newly issued Company stock and options to purchase  154,848
shares of Company stock for all issued and outstanding  stock and options of GL.
The fair market value of the stock and options exchanged was approximately $20.6
million.

On January 29, 1999, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Camlok
and the net  assets  of the  Tigrip  product  line for  $10.6  million  in cash,
financed by a German subsidiary revolving credit facility and term note.

On  December 4, 1998,  the  Company  acquired  all of the  outstanding  stock of
Gautier  for $3 million in cash,  financed  by the  Company's  revolving  credit
facility.

During October 1998, the Company's ESOP borrowed $7,682,000 from the Company and
purchased  479,900  shares  of  Company  common  stock on the open  market at an
average cost of $16 per share.

On August 21, 1998,  the Company  acquired the net assets of  Abell-Howe  for $7
million in cash, financed by the Company's revolving credit facility.





                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>

On August 7, 1998, the Company sold its Mechanical  Products  division for $11.5
million, consisting of $9.1 million in cash and a $2.4 million note receivable.

The 1998 Revolving Credit Facility provides availability up to $300 million, due
March 31, 2003, against which $221.2 million was outstanding at October 3, 1999.
Interest  is payable at varying  Eurodollar  rates  based on LIBOR plus a spread
determined by the Company's  leverage ratio,  amounting to 200.0 basis points at
November  16,  1999.  The 1998  Revolving  Credit  Facility  is  secured  by all
equipment, inventory, receivables,  subsidiary stock (limited to 65% for foreign
subsidiaries) and intellectual property. To manage its exposure to interest rate
fluctuations, the Company has an interest rate swap and cap.

The  senior  subordinated  8 1/2% Notes  issued on March 31,  1998  amounted  to
$199,468,000,  net of original  issue discount of $532,000 and are due March 31,
2008.  Interest is payable  semi-annually  based on an effective  rate of 8.45%,
considering  $1,902,000  of  proceeds  from  rate  hedging  in  advance  of  the
placement.   Provisions  of  the  8  1/2%  Notes  include,  without  limitation,
restrictions  of liens,  indebtedness,  asset  sales,  and  dividends  and other
restricted payments.  Prior to April 1, 2003, the 8 1/2% Notes are redeemable at
the option of the  Company,  in whole or in part,  at the  Make-Whole  Price (as
defined).  On or after April 1, 2003,  they are  redeemable at prices  declining
annually  from 108.5% to 100% on and after  April 1, 2006.  In  addition,  on or
prior to April 1, 2001,  the  Company  may  redeem up to 35% of the  outstanding
notes with the proceeds of equity  offerings  at a  redemption  price of 108.5%,
subject  to  certain  restrictions.  In the  event of a Change  of  Control  (as
defined),  each holder of the 8 1/2% Notes may require the Company to repurchase
all or a portion of such holder's 8 1/2% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101%
of the principal amount thereof. The 8 1/2% Notes are not subject to any sinking
fund requirements.

The Company believes that its cash on hand, cash flows,  and borrowing  capacity
under its  revolving  credit  facility  will be  sufficient  to fund its ongoing
operations,  budgeted capital  expenditures,  and business  acquisitions for the
next twelve months.

Net cash provided by operating  activities  was  $19,727,000  for the six months
ended October 3, 1999, an increase of $15,547,000  over the net cash provided by
operating  activities for the six months ended September 27, 1998 of $4,180,000.
The  significant  increase is  primarily  due to changes in the working  capital
needs of Automatic Systems Inc. (ASI), formerly LICO, Inc.

Net cash used in  investing  activities  increased  to  $12,925,000  for the six
months ended October 3, 1999 from  $1,802,000 for the six months ended September
27, 1998. The $11,123,000  difference is due primarily to proceeds received as a
result of the sale of Mechanical Products.

Net cash  provided by financing  activities  was  $5,346,000  for the six months
ended October 3, 1999 while net cash used in financing activities was $7,107,000
for the three  months  ended  September  27,  1998.  The  $12,453,000  change is
primarily due to borrowings  used to acquire WECO in the current year,  compared
to the proceeds from the  Mechanical  Products  sale net of  borrowings  for the
Abell-Howe acquisition which were used to pay down debt in the prior year.








                                     - 18 -

<PAGE>


CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

In addition to keeping its current equipment and plants properly maintained, the
Company is committed to replacing, enhancing, and upgrading its property, plant,
and  equipment  to reduce  production  costs,  increase  flexibility  to respond
effectively to market fluctuations and changes, meet environmental requirements,
enhance safety, and promote  ergonomically  correct work stations.  Consolidated
capital  expenditures for the six months ended October 3, 1999 and September 27,
1998 were  $5,130,000 and $5,621,000,  respectively.


INFLATION AND OTHER MARKET CONDITIONS

The  Company's  costs are affected by inflation  in the U.S.  economy,  and to a
lesser extent, in foreign economies including those of Europe,  Canada,  Mexico,
and the Pacific  Rim.  The Company  does not believe  that  inflation  has had a
material effect on results of operations over the periods  presented  because of
low inflation levels over the periods and because the Company has generally been
able to pass on rising costs through  price  increases.  However,  in the future
there can be no assurance  that the  Company's  business will not be affected by
inflation or that it will be able to pass on cost increases.


SEASONALITY AND QUARTERLY RESULTS

Quarterly  results may be  materially  affected by the timing of large  customer
orders, by periods of high vacation concentrations,  and by acquisitions and the
magnitude  of  acquisition  costs.  Therefore,  the  operating  results  for any
particular  fiscal  quarter are not  necessarily  indicative  of results for any
subsequent fiscal quarter or for the full fiscal year.


YEAR 2000 CONVERSIONS

The Company's  corporate-wide Year 2000 initiative is being managed by a team of
internal staff and  administered  by the Director of Information  Services.  The
Company has completed the assessment  phase of its Year 2000 compliance  project
and is currently working on remediation of affected components.

The  Company  has  determined  that it needs to modify  certain  portions of its
corporate  business  information  software  so that  its  computer  system  will
function  properly  with  respect  to dates in the year  2000 and  beyond.  Both
internal   and  external   resources   have  been   dedicated  to   identifying,
implementing,  and testing corrective action in order to make such programs Year
2000 compliant; all such work is planned to be completed by November 1999 and is
currently on schedule.  To date the corporate business  information software has
been 100% assessed,  approximately  98% has been  remedially  reprogrammed,  and
approximately  90% is now  certified  to be Year  2000  compliant.  The  Company
believes that, with modifications to existing software, the Year 2000 issue will
not pose significant operational problems for its computer systems.

The Company has completed a corporate-wide assessment of the Year 2000 readiness
of  microprocessor-controlled  equipment  such as robotics,  CNC  machines,  and
security and environmental  systems.  This assessment has revealed that at least
98% of all  microprocessor-controlled  equipment  is  currently  compliant.  The
remaining 2%, which includes recent acquisitions, is currently under review. Any
necessary  upgrades to ensure Year 2000 readiness are expected to be in place by
the end of November 1999. In addition,  the Company has  determined  that all of
its manufactured products are 100% Year 2000 compliant.



                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>

The Company has  initiated  communications  with its  suppliers and customers to
determine the extent to which  systems,  products or services are  vulnerable to
failure should those third parties fail to remediate their own Year 2000 issues.
To date the Company has received  responses to over 88% of its  inquiries and no
Year 2000 compliance  problems have been identified from these responses.  While
we believe that our Year 2000  compliance plan  adequately  addresses  potential
Year  2000  concerns  and to date no  significant  Year  2000  issues  have been
identified with our suppliers and customers,  there can be no guarantee that the
systems of other  companies on which our operations  rely will be compliant an a
timely basis and will not have an effect on our operations.

The Company has conducted  preliminary  contingency  planning and identified the
critical need areas. A high level  approach  incorporating  manual  workarounds,
increasing critical inventories,  identifying alternate suppliers, and adjusting
staffing  levels  has  been  discussed  and  forms  the  basis  for the  initial
contingency planning. The Company believes this level of planning is appropriate
at the current time, however, the planning will be further expanded if warranted
by future events.

The cost of the Year 2000  initiatives  is not  expected  to be  material to the
Company's results of operations or financial position.

The forward looking statements  contained in the Year 2000 Conversions should be
read in  conjunction  with the  Company's  disclosures  under the heading  "Safe
Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995".


EFFECTS OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
No. 133,  "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities" (SFAS
133). In June 1999, the FASB issued SFAS 137, which defers the effective date of
SFAS 133 to fiscal  years  beginning  after June 15, 2000.  SFAS133  establishes
accounting  and  reporting  standards  for  derivative  instruments  and hedging
activities. It requires that entities recognize all derivatives as either assets
or  liabilities  in the  statement  of  financial  position  and  measure  those
instruments  at  fair  value.  The  intended  use  of  the  derivative  and  its
designation  as either (1) a hedge of the  exposure to changes in the fair value
of a recognized asset or liability or a firm commitment (a fair value hedge) (2)
a hedge of the exposure to variable  cash flows of a forecasted  transaction  (a
cash flow  hedge),  or (3) a hedge of the  foreign  currency  exposure  of a net
investment in a foreign  operation (a foreign  currency  hedge),  will determine
when the gains and losses on the  derivatives  are reported in earnings and when
they are to be  reported  as a  component  of other  comprehensive  income.  The
adoption of SFAS 133 is not expected to have a material  impact on the financial
position or results of operations of the Company.














                                     - 20 -

<PAGE>


SUBSEQUENT EVENT

In its October 26th, 1999 second quarter earnings release, the Company announced
its  plan to  engage  an  advisor  to  explore  strategic  alternatives  for the
Company's  Solutions-Automotive  segment  made  up of  Automatic  Systems,  Inc.
("ASI").  The strategic  alternatives  to be evaluated  include the sale of ASI,
restructuring of its operational  focus, and  diversification  of the markets it
serves.  The strategic  evaluation and plan for ASI are expected to be completed
within the next two to three months.


SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This report may include  "forward-looking  statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known
and unknown risks,  uncertainties  and other factors that could cause the actual
results of the  Company  to differ  materially  from the  results  expressed  or
implied by such statements,  including general economic and business conditions,
conditions  affecting the industries served by the Company and its subsidiaries,
conditions affecting the Company's customers and suppliers, competitor responses
to the Company's  products and services,  the overall market  acceptance of such
products  and  services,  the  integration  of  acquisitions  and other  factors
disclosed  in  the  Company's   periodic  reports  filed  with  the  Commission.
Consequently such forward-looking statements should be regarded as the Company's
current  plans,  estimates  and  beliefs.  The Company  does not  undertake  and
specifically  declines  any  obligation  to publicly  release the results of any
revisions to these  forward-looking  statements  that may be made to reflect any
future events or  circumstances  after the date of such statements or to reflect
the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.






























                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>


PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings - none.

Item 2.    Changes in Securities - none.

Item 3.    Defaults upon Senior Securities - none.

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security  Holders On August
             16, 1999, the Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held:

                The following directors were elected:
                      10,198,785 votes cast for:  Herbert P. Ladds, Jr.;
                      10,207,643 votes cast for:  Timothy T. Tevens;
                      10,211,803 votes cast for:  Robert L. Montgomery, Jr.;
                      10,213,003 votes cast for:  Randolph A. Marks;
                      10,212,867 votes cast for:  L. David Black and Richard J.
                                                  Fleming ;
                      10,212,903 votes cast for:  Carlos Pasqual;
                       2,916,034 votes cast for:  Larry N. Katsoulis;  Jonathan
                                                  G. Guss;  George G. Raymond,
                                                  Jr.;  Jeffrey E. Schwarz; and
                                                  Robert F. Lietzow, Jr.

                Proposal  to  approve  the   adoption  of  the   Amendment   and
                Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon  Corporation 1995 Incentive
                Stock Option Plan:
                      11,210,347 votes cast for
                         513,660 votes cast against
                       1,703,313 abstain

                Columbus  McKinnon  Shareholders  Committee  (the  "dissidents")
                proposal to have the shareholders  rescind the By-law amendments
                adopted by the Board of Directors in May 1999:
                       4,953,446 votes cast for
                       8,011,127 votes cast against
                         462,747 abstain



Item 5.    Other Information - none.


















                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>



Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

           Exhibit 10.1     Third Amendment, dated  as of  November 16, 1999, to
                            the Credit  Agreement,  dated as of March 31,  1998,
                            among   Columbus   McKinnon   Corporation,   as  the
                            Borrower,  the  banks,  financial  institutions  and
                            other   institutional   lenders  named  therein,  as
                            Initial Lenders, Fleet National Bank, as the Initial
                            Issuing Bank, Fleet National Bank, as the Swing Line
                            Bank and Fleet National Bank, as the  Administrative
                            Agent.

           Exhibit 10.2     Fourth   Supplemental  Indenture  among   Washington
                            Equipment Company, G.L. International, Inc., Gaffey,
                            Inc.,  Handling  Systems and Conveyors,  Inc., Larco
                            Material  Handling  Inc.,  Abell-Howe  Crane,  Inc.,
                            Automatic Systems,  Inc., LICO Steel, Inc., Columbus
                            McKinnon Corporation, Yale Industrial Products, Inc.
                            and State Street Bank and Trust  Company,  N.A.,  as
                            trustee, dated as of November 1, 1999.




           There are no reports on Form 8-K.



































                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                             COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
                                             -----------------------------
                                             (Registrant)






Date: NOVEMBER 16, 1999                      /S/ ROBERT L. MONTGOMERY, JR.
      -----------------                      -----------------------------
                                             Robert L. Montgomery, Jr.
                                             Executive Vice President and
                                             Chief Financial Officer (Principal
                                               Financial Officer)




































                                     - 24 -

                 THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND CONSENT

         THIS  THIRD   AMENDMENT   TO  CREDIT   AGREEMENT   AND  CONSENT   (this
"AMENDMENT"),  dated as of November 16, 1999, is by and among COLUMBUS  MCKINNON
CORPORATION,  a New York  corporation  (the  "BORROWER"),  the banks,  financial
institutions  and other  institutional  lenders  which are parties to the Credit
Agreement (as such term is defined below) (the "LENDERS"),  FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
as Initial Issuing Bank (the "INITIAL  ISSUING  BANK"),  FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as
the Swing Line Bank (the  "SWING LINE BANK";  each of the  Lenders,  the Initial
Issuing  Bank and the Swing  Line  Bank,  individually,  a "LENDER  PARTY"  and,
collectively,  the "LENDER PARTIES"), and FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as administrative
agent  (together  with any  successor  appointed  pursuant to Article VII of the
Credit Agreement, the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT") for the Lender Parties.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                              -------------------

         WHEREAS, the Borrower,  Lenders,  Initial Issuing Bank, Swing Line Bank
and Administrative Agent are party to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of
March 31, 1998, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit  Agreement,
dated as of September  23, 1998,  and that  certain  Second  Amendment to Credit
Agreement  and  Consent,  dated as of February 12, 1999 (as so amended and as it
may hereafter be further amended, supplemented,  restated, extended or otherwise
modified from time to time, the " CREDIT AGREEMENT");

         WHEREAS,  the Borrower has requested that the Administrative  Agent and
Lender Parties amend the Credit Agreement as and to the extent set forth in this
Amendment;

         WHEREAS, for administrative  simplicity and other reasons, the Borrower
desires to merge Larco  Material  Handling Inc.  ("LARCO") with and into Gaffey,
Inc. ("GAFFEY"),  with Gaffey being the surviving corporation (the "LARCO-GAFFEY
MERGER"); and

         WHEREAS,  the Administrative  Agent and Lender Parties are agreeable to
the foregoing, in each instance as and to the extent set forth in this Amendment
and subject to each of the terms and conditions stated herein.

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  premises  and  the  mutual
covenants  set  forth  herein  and of the  loans or other  extensions  of credit
heretofore,  now or  hereafter  made to, or for the benefit of, the Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries  by the Lender  Parties,  the parties  hereto  hereby agree as
follows:

1.       DEFINITIONS.  Except to the extent otherwise specified herein, capital-
         ized terms used in this Amendment shall have the same meanings ascribed
         to them in the Credit Agreement.

2.       AMENDMENTS.

         2.1.     Section 1.01 of  the Credit  Agreement is amended  by deleting
from the  definition of "APPLICABLE  MARGIN" the entire pricing chart  contained
therein and replacing it with the following chart:




<PAGE>

                           Applicable Margin Applicable Margin Applicable Margin
RATIO OF FUNDED DEBT TO     for Prime Rate    for Eurodollar    for Commitment
EBITDA                         Advances       Rate Advances          Fee
- -----------------------        --------       -------------          ---

Equal to or greater than 4.00     0.50%           2.000%            0.375%
Equal to or greater than 3.50
  less than 4.00                  0.25%           1.750%            0.350%
Equal to or greater than 3.00
  less than 3.50                  0.00%           1.500%            0.300%
Equal to or greater than 2.50
  less than 3.00                  0.00%           1.250%            0.200%
Less than 2.50                    0.00%           0.875%            0.150%


         2.2.  Section  1.01 of the Credit  Agreement  is amended to include the
following definition in the appropriate alphabetical order:

         "'CANADIAN DOLLARS' means the lawful currency of Canada."

         2.3.  Section  1.01 of the  Credit  Agreement  is  further  amended  by
inserting  in  the  definition  of   "ALTERNATIVE   CURRENCY"  after  the  words
"Alternative  Currency  Letters of Credit,"  and before the words "the Euro" the
words "Canadian Dollars,".

         2.4.  Section  1.01 of the  Credit  Agreement  is  further  amended  by
inserting in the  definition  of "ASSIGNED  DOLLAR  VALUE" before the words "the
Euro" in clause (b)(ii)(A) thereof the words "Canadian Dollars,".

         2.5.  Section  1.01 of the  Credit  Agreement  is  further  amended  by
deleting  from the  definition  of  "EXCHANGE  RATE" the word "and" that appears
before clause (c) of the first sentence of such definition and inserting  before
the period at the end of the first sentence of such definition the following:

         ", (d) with  respect to Canadian  Dollars,  the spot rate at which U.S.
         Dollars are offered on such day by the  Administrative  Agent in London
         for Canadian Dollars at approximately  11:00 A.M. (London time) and (e)
         with respect to U.S. Dollars in relation to Canadian Dollars,  the spot
         rate  at  which  Canadian  Dollars  are  offered  on  such  day  by the
         Administrative  Agent in London for U.S. Dollars at approximately 11:00
         A.M.  (London  time)"

         2.6.  Section  5.02(d)(iii)(4)  of the Credit  Agreement  is amended by
deleting  the  words  "$35,000,000  in the  aggregate  in any  Fiscal  Year" and
replacing them with the following:

          "$10,000,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,
         THAT, in the event that the Consolidated Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio of
         the Borrower (as  calculated  pursuant to Section  5.04(a)) falls below
         3.50 to 1.0 for any period of four fiscal quarters, the sum of all such
         amounts shall not exceed  $35,000,000  in any Fiscal Year  thereafter".


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

         2.7. Section 5.02(f) of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the
number  "(vi)"  that  appears  before  the  clause  "Investments  consisting  of
Permitted  Acquisitions"  and  replacing it with the number  "(vii)" and placing
such  renumbered  clause  (vii) in the proper  numerical  order in such  Section
5.02(f).

         2.8. Section  5.02(g)(i) of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting
the figure "$10,000,000" and replacing it with the figure "$5,000,000".

         2.9.  Section  5.02(i) of the Credit  Agreement is amended by inserting
before the period at the end of such Section the following:

         "in any manner that would in any material respect impair the ability of
         any Loan Party to perform its  obligations  under any Loan  Document or
         that would  impair in any  material  respect the rights or interests of
         the  Administrative  Agent or any of the Lender Parties"

         2.10.  Section  5.04(a) of the Credit  Agreement is amended by deleting
from the chart contained therein the dates from and including  December 31, 1999
and the  corresponding  ratios  for  such  dates  and  replacing  them  with the
following:

         "December 31, 1999                                  4.50 to 1.0
           March 31, 2000                                    4.50 to 1.0
           June 30, 2000                                     4.25 to 1.0
           September 30, 2000                                4.00 to 1.0
           December 31, 2000                                 3.75 to 1.0
           March 31, 2001                                    3.75 to 1.0
           June 30, 2001                                     3.50 to 1.0
           September 30, 2001                                3.50 to 1.0
           December 31, 2001                                 3.50 to 1.0
           March 31, 2002 and each fiscal
                  quarter end thereafter                     3.25 to 1.0".

         2.11.  Section  5.04(b) of the Credit  Agreement is amended by deleting
the ratio  "3.0 to 1.0" and  replacing  it with the words  "the  ratio set forth
below:

           FOUR FISCAL QUARTERS ENDING ON:                    RATIO
           -------------------------------                    -----

           December 31, 1999                               2.75 to 1.0
           March 31, 2000                                  2.75 to 1.0
           June 30, 2000                                   2.75 to 1.0
           September 30, 2000 and each fiscal
                  quarter end thereafter                   3.00 to 1.0".



                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

         2.12.  Section  5.04(c) of the Credit  Agreement is amended by deleting
from the chart  contained  therein  the words  "March 31,  1999 and each  fiscal
quarter  ending  thereafter"  and the  corresponding  ratio  "1.50 to 1.00"  and
replacing them with the following:

           "December 31, 1999                              1.25 to 1.0
           March 31, 2000 and each fiscal
                  quarter end thereafter                   1.50 to 1.0".

         2.13.  Section  5.04(d) of the Credit  Agreement is amended by deleting
clause (i) thereof and replacing it with "(i) $190,000,000".

3.       CONSENT TO LARCO-GAFFEY MERGER.


         3.1.  Section  5.01(f) of the Credit  Agreement,  among  other  things,
requires  that  the  Borrower  preserve  and  maintain,  and  cause  each of its
Subsidiaries to preserve and maintain,  its existence,  legal  structure,  legal
name and  rights  (charter  and  statutory).  Section  5.02(d)(i)  of the Credit
Agreement, among other things, prohibits the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
from merging into or  consolidating  with any Person or permitting any Person to
merge into it.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions of Section  5.01(f) and Section
5.02(d)(i),  but subject to the  conditions  precedent  set forth in Section 3.2
below and the other terms and conditions of this Amendment,  the  Administrative
Agent and Lender Parties hereby consent to the Larco-Gaffey Merger.

         3.2.  The  Larco-Gaffey  Merger  is  subject  to the  satisfaction,  as
determined by the  Administrative  Agent,  of each of the  following  conditions
precedent:
               (a) The Borrower shall have caused Gaffey to have executed and
         delivered such agreements,  instruments and other documents, including,
         without  limitation,  UCC-1 financing  statements,  UCC-3 amendments to
         financing  statements and amendments to intellectual  property filings,
         as  shall  be  necessary  or as the  Administrative  Agent  shall  have
         otherwise  requested in order to maintain the perfected  first priority
         status  of  the  Administrative   Agent's  security  interests  in  the
         Collateral of Gaffey and Larco.

               (b)  As of  the  date  of the  consummation  of the  Larco-Gaffey
          Merger,  no  Default or Event of Default  shall have  occurred  and be
          continuing.

               (c) The representations and warranties contained in Section 4
          of this Amendment,  the Credit  Agreement and each other Loan Document
          shall  be  true,  correct  and  complete  on and as of the date of the
          consummation of the Larco-Gaffey Merger, as though made on such date.


               (d) The Borrower  shall, and shall  have caused its  Subsidiaries
          to, have taken all such actions and executed  and  delivered  all such
          agreements,  instruments  and other  documents  as the  Administrative
          Agent  shall  have   reasonably   requested  in  connection  with  the
          Larco-Gaffey Merger.



                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

         3.3. The foregoing  consent in Section 3.1 is only applicable and shall
only be  effective in the  specific  instance  and for the specific  purpose for
which made. Such consent is expressly limited to the facts and circumstances and
subject to the  conditions  referred  to herein and shall not  operate  (a) as a
waiver of or consent to  non-compliance  with any other  Section or provision of
the Credit  Agreement or any other Loan Document,  (b) as a waiver of any right,
power or remedy of either the Administrative Agent or any Lender Party under the
Credit  Agreement or any other Loan Document or (c) as a waiver of or consent to
any Event of  Default or Default  under the Credit  Agreement  or any other Loan
Document.

4.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER.   The  Borrower  hereby
represents and warrants as follows:

         4.1. Each of the representations and warranties set forth in the Credit
Agreement, including, without limitation, in Article IV of the Credit Agreement,
and in each other Loan Document,  is true, correct and complete on and as of the
date hereof as though made on the date hereof. In addition,  the Borrower hereby
represents, warrants and affirms that the Credit Agreement and each of the other
Loan Documents remains in full force and effect.

         4.2. As of the date hereof, there exists no Default or Event of Default
under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document,  and no event which, with
the giving of notice or lapse of time,  or both,  would  constitute a Default or
Event of Default.

         4.3. The execution,  delivery and  performance by each  applicable Loan
Party of this Amendment or the reaffirmations and confirmations  attached hereto
and each other Loan Document are within such Loan Party's corporate powers, have
been duly  authorized by all necessary  corporate  action,  and do not, and will
not, (i) contravene  such Loan Party's  charter or bylaws,  (ii) violate any law
(including,  without limitation,  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as  amended),  rule,  regulation  (including,
without  limitation,  Regulation  T, U or X of the  Board  of  Governors  of the
Federal  Reserve   System),   order,   writ,   judgment,   injunction,   decree,
determination  or award,  (iii)  conflict  with or result in the  breach  of, or
constitute a default under, any material  contract,  loan agreement,  indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, lease or other material instrument or agreement binding
on or  affecting  any  Loan  Party,  any of  its  Subsidiaries  or any of  their
respective  properties or (iv) except for the Liens created under the Collateral
Documents,  result in or require the creation or  imposition of any Lien upon or
with  respect  to  any  of  the  properties  of  any  Loan  Party  or any of its
Subsidiaries. Neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation
of any such law, rule, regulation,  order, writ, judgment,  injunction,  decree,
determination  or  award or in  breach  of any such  contract,  loan  agreement,
indenture,  mortgage, deed of trust, lease or other instrument or agreement, the
violation  or breach of which  could  reasonably  be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         4.4. Each of this  Amendment and each other Loan Document has been duly
executed and delivered by each Loan Party party thereto.  Each of this Amendment
and each other Loan Document is the legal,  valid and binding obligation of each
Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with
its terms.


                                     - 5 -

<PAGE>

         4.5. No  authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to
or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body or any other third
party is required for (i) the due execution,  delivery,  recordation,  filing or
performance by any Loan Party of this Amendment,  any other Loan Document or any
other agreement or document related hereto or thereto or contemplated  hereby or
thereby to which it is or is to be a party or otherwise bound, (ii) the grant by
any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Collateral  Documents,
(iii) the  perfection  or  maintenance  of the Liens  created by the  Collateral
Documents  (including the first priority nature thereof) or (iv) the exercise by
the  Administrative  Agent or any  Lender  Party of its  rights  under  the Loan
Documents or remedies in respect of the  Collateral  pursuant to the  Collateral
Documents.

5.       CONDITIONS  PRECEDENT TO  THIS AMENDMENT.   The  effectiveness  of this
Amendment is subject to the satisfaction,  in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent, of each of the following conditions precedent:

         5.1. The Borrower, Required Lenders and, as to the amendments contained
in Sections 2.1 through 2.4, the Required  Alternative  Currency Lenders,  shall
have duly executed and delivered this Amendment.

         5.2.  No  Default  or Event  of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and be
continuing.

         5.3. The representations and warranties  contained in Section 4 of this
Amendment,  the Credit  Agreement  and each other Loan  Document  shall be true,
correct and complete on and as of the closing  date of this  Amendment as though
made on such date.

         5.4.   The  Borrower   shall  have  paid  an   amendment   fee  to  the
Administrative  Agent,  for the account of each Lender which has  approved  this
Amendment,  as evidenced by such  Lender's  timely  execution  and delivery of a
counterpart  signature  page  to this  Amendment  (each  such  Lender  being  an
"APPROVING LENDER"),  in an amount equal to 0.20% (i.e. 20 basis points) of such
Approving Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment.

         5.5. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries  shall have delivered such other
documents  and  taken  such  other  actions  as  the  Administrative  Agent  may
reasonably request.


6.       EFFECTIVENESS OF AMENDMENT.   This Amendment shall not become effective
unless and until each of the conditions  precedent set forth in Section 5 hereof
has been satisfied.

7.       REFERENCE  TO AND  EFFECT  UPON  THE CREDIT  AGREEMENT  AND  OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS.


         7.1.  Except as  specifically  amended in  Section 2 above,  the Credit
Agreement  and each of the other Loan  Documents  shall remain in full force and
effect and each is hereby ratified and confirmed.

         7.2.  The  execution,  delivery and effect of this  Amendment  shall be
limited  precisely as written and shall not be deemed to (a) be a consent to any
waiver of any term or condition or to any amendment or  modification of any term
or  condition  of the Credit  Agreement  or any other Loan  Document,  except as
specifically  amended in Section 2 above and for the specific  consent set forth
in Section 3 above  (subject  to the terms and  conditions  of such  consent set


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

forth  herein),   or  (b)  prejudice  any  right,  power  or  remedy  which  the
Administrative Agent or any Lender Party now has or may have in the future under
or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.  Upon the
effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to "this
Agreement",  "hereunder",  "hereof",  "herein"  or any  other  word or  words of
similar import shall mean and be a reference to the Credit  Agreement as amended
hereby, and each reference in any other Loan Document to the Credit Agreement or
any word or words of similar  import shall mean and be a reference to the Credit
Agreement as amended hereby.

8.       COUNTERPARTS.   This  Amendment  may  be  executed  in  any  number  of
counterparts,  each of which when so executed  shall be deemed an original,  but
all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of
an executed counterpart to this Amendment by telecopier shall be as effective as
delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

9.       COSTS AND EXPENSES.   The Borrower  shall pay on demand all  reasonable
fees, costs and expenses  incurred by Administrative  Agent (including,  without
limitation,  all reasonable attorneys' fees) in connection with the preparation,
execution  and delivery of this  Amendment  and the taking of any actions by any
Person in connection herewith.

10.      GOVERNING  LAW.  THIS  AMENDMENT  SHALL BE  GOVERNED  BY AND  CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS (AS OPPOSED TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS)
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

11.      HEADINGS.  Article  headings  in this  Amendment  are  included  herein
for  convenience  of  reference  only and  shall not  constitute  a part of this
Amendment for any other purpose.

                            [Signature Pages Follow]



















                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>
                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Amendment to be executed by their respective  officers thereunto duly authorized
on the date first above written.



                                            COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION


                                            By:    /s/ R.L. Montgomery
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Executive Vice President



<PAGE>


         The undersigned  hereby  acknowledge  and agree to this Amendment,  and
agree that the Guaranty,  the Security Agreement,  and the Intellectual Property
Security  Agreement,  and each other Loan Document  executed by the  undersigned
shall remain in full force and effect and each is hereby  ratified and confirmed
by and on behalf of the undersigned, this 16th day of November, 1999.


                                            AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS, INC.


                                            By:    /s/ R.L. Montgomery
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Treasurer


                                            LICO STEEL, INC.


                                            By:    /s/ R.L. Montgomery
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Treasurer


                                            ABELL-HOWE CRANE, INC.


                                            By:    /s/ R.L. Montgomery
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Treasurer


                                            G.L. INTERNATIONAL INC.


                                            By:    /s/ R.L. Montgomery
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Treasurer


                                            GAFFEY, INC.


                                            By:    /s/ R.L. Montgomery
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Treasurer


                                            HANDLING SYSTEMS AND CONVEYORS, INC.


                                            By:    /s/ R.L. Montgomery
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Treasurer



<PAGE>

                                            LARCO MATERIAL HANDLING INC.


                                            By:    /s/ R.L. Montgomery
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Treasurer


                                            YALE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, INC.


                                            By:    /s/ R.L. Montgomery
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Treasurer


                                            WASHINGTON EQUIPMENT COMPANY


                                            By:    /s/ R.L. Montgomery
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Treasurer


<PAGE>


                                            FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as
                                              Administrative Agent


                                            By:    /s/ John G. Tierney
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Vice President
                                                   -------------------


                                            FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Initial
                                              Issuing Bank


                                            By:    /s/ John G. Tierney
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Vice President
                                                   -------------------



                                            FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Swing Line
                                              Bank


                                            By:    /s/ John G. Tierney
                                                   -------------------
                                            Title: Vice President
                                                   -------------------



                                             Lenders

                                             FLEET NATIONAL BANK


                                             By:    /s/ John G. Tierney
                                                    -------------------
                                             Title: Vice President
                                                    -------------------



<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             ABN-AMRO BANK N.V. NEW YORK
                                               BRANCH, as a Co-Agent and Lender

                                             By:    /s/ Donald Sutton
                                                    -------------------
                                             Title: Vice President
                                                    -------------------
                                             By:    /s/ Juliette Mound
                                                    -------------------
                                             Title: Assistant Vice President
                                                    ------------------------


<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as a
                                               Co-Agent and Lender


                                             By:    /s/ J. Alan Edwards
                                                    -------------------
                                             Title: Authorized Signatory
                                                    --------------------


<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST
                                               COMPANY, as a Co-Agent and Lender


                                             By:    /s/ Stephen J. Wydysh
                                                    ---------------------
                                             Title: Vice President
                                                    ---------------------


<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             HSBC BANK USA (formerly known as
                                               Marine Midland Bank), as a
                                               Co-Agent and Lender


                                             By:    /s/ D.C. English
                                                    ----------------
                                             Title: Associate Director
                                                    ------------------



<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             COMERICA BANK


                                             By:    /s/ Joel Gordon
                                                    ---------------
                                             Title: Account Representative
                                                    ----------------------



<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK


                                             By:    /s/ Mark B. Felker
                                                    ------------------
                                             Title: Senior Vice President
                                                    ---------------------


<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                             By:   /s/ Francis Lutz
                                                   ----------------
                                             Title:Portfolio Manager and Officer
                                                   -----------------------------


<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             MELLON BANK, N.A.


                                             By:    /s/ Edward J. Kloecker
                                                    ----------------------
                                             Title: Vice President
                                                    --------------



<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY


                                             By:    /s/ G. Andrew Keith
                                                    -------------------
                                             Title: Vice President
                                                    -------------------



<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                             By:    /s/ Thomas C. McCrohan
                                                    ----------------------
                                             Title: Vice President
                                                    --------------



<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA


                                             By:    /s/ Michael R. Brace
                                                    --------------------
                                             Title: Marketing Officer
                                                    -----------------


                                             By:    /s/ Mark Dzunion
                                                    ----------------
                                             Title: Credit Analyst
                                                    ----------------


<PAGE>


                                             Lenders

                                             NATIONAL CITY BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA


                                             By:_______________________________
                                             Title:____________________________





                          FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE


                  FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this "SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE"),
dated as of November 1, 1999, among WASHINGTON  EQUIPMENT  COMPANY,  an Illinois
corporation (the "GUARANTEEING  SUBSIDIARY"),  a subsidiary of Columbus McKinnon
Corporation  (or  its  permitted   successor),   a  New  York  corporation  (the
"COMPANY"),  the  Company,  the other  Guarantors  (as defined in the  Indenture
referred to herein) and State Street Bank and Trust  Company,  N.A.,  as trustee
under the indenture referred to below (the "TRUSTEE").

                               W I T N E S S E T H

                  WHEREAS,  the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to
the Trustee an indenture (the "INDENTURE"), dated as of March 31, 1998 providing
for the issuance of an aggregate  principal  amount of up to $300.0 million of 8
1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (thE "NOtes");

                  WHEREAS,   the   Indenture   provides   that   under   certain
circumstances  the  Guaranteeing  Subsidiary  shall  execute  and deliver to the
Trustee a supplemental  indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing  Subsidiary
shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company's Obligations under the Notes
and the Indenture on the terms and  conditions  set forth herein (a  "SUBSIDIARY
GUARANTEE"); and

                  WHEREAS,  pursuant  to  Section  9.01  of the  Indenture,  the
Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

                  NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other
good and valuable  consideration,  the receipt of which is hereby  acknowledged,
the Guaranteeing  Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the
equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

                  1.       CAPITALIZED  TERMS.   Capitalized  terms  used herein
without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

                  2.       AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE.  The Guaranteeing  Subsidiary
hereby agrees as follows:

                  (a)      Along with all Guarantors named in the Indenture,  to
                           jointly and  severally  Guarantee to each Holder of a
                           Note  authenticated  and delivered by the Trustee and
                           to  the  Trustee  and  its  successors  and  assigns,
                           irrespective  of the validity and  enforceability  of
                           the  Indenture,  the Notes or the  obligations of the
                           Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

                           (i)      the  principal  of and interest on the Notes
                                    will be  promptly  paid in  full  when  due,
                                    whether  at   maturity,   by   acceleration,
                                    redemption or otherwise, and interest on the
                                    overdue  principal  of and  interest  on the
                                    Notes,  if any,  if  lawful,  and all  other
                                    obligations of the Company to the Holders or
                                    the Trustee  hereunder or thereunder will be
                                    promptly paid in full or  performed,  all in
                                    accordance   with  the  terms   hereof   and
                                    thereof; and

                           (ii)     in case of any  extension of time of payment
                                    or renewal of any Notes or any of such other
                                    obligations, that same will be promptly paid



<PAGE>

                                    in full when due or performed in  accordance
                                    with the terms of the  extension or renewal,
                                    whether at stated maturity,  by acceleration
                                    or  otherwise.  Failing  payment when due of
                                    any amount so guaranteed or any  performance
                                    so  guaranteed  for  whatever  reason,   the
                                    Guarantors  shall be jointly  and  severally
                                    obligated to pay the same immediately.

                  (b)      The  obligations  hereunder  shall be  unconditional,
                           irrespective   of   the   validity,   regularity   or
                           enforceability  of the  Notes or the  Indenture,  the
                           absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver
                           or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to
                           any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any
                           judgment  against the Company,  any action to enforce
                           the  same  or  any  other  circumstance  which  might
                           otherwise  constitute a legal or equitable  discharge
                           or defense of a guarantor.


                  (c)      The   following   is   hereby    waived:    diligence
                           presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with
                           a court in the event of  insolvency  or bankruptcy of
                           the Company,  any right to require a proceeding first
                           against the Company,  protest, notice and all demands
                           whatsoever.


                  (d)      The  Subsidiary  Guarantee  shall  not be  discharged
                           except by  complete  performance  of the  obligations
                           contained in the Notes and the Indenture.


                  (e)      If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court
                           or   otherwise   to  return  to  the   Company,   the
                           Guarantors, or any Custodian,  Trustee, liquidator or
                           other similar  official  acting in relation to either
                           the  Company or the  Guarantors,  any amount  paid by
                           either to the Trustee or such Holder,  the Subsidiary
                           Guarantee,  to  the  extent  theretofore  discharged,
                           shall be reinstated in full force and effect.


                  (f)      The Guaranteeing  Subsidiary shall not be entitled to
                           any right of  subrogation  in relation to the Holders
                           in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until
                           payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.


                  (g)      As between the  Guarantors,  on the one hand, and the
                           Holders and the Trustee,  on the other hand,  (x) the
                           maturity of the obligations  guaranteed hereby may be
                           accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture
                           for  the  purposes  of  the   Subsidiary   Guarantee,
                           notwithstanding   any  stay,   injunction   or  other
                           prohibition  preventing such  acceleration in respect
                           of the obligations  guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the
                           event  of any  declaration  of  acceleration  of such
                           obligations   as   provided   in  Article  6  of  the
                           Indenture,  such obligations  (whether or not due and
                           payable)  shall  forthwith  become due and payable by
                           the  Guarantors  for the  purpose  of the  Subsidiary
                           Guarantee.


                  (h)      The   Guarantors   shall   have  the  right  to  seek
                           contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as
                           the exercise of such right does not impair the rights
                           of the Holders under the Subsidiary Guarantee.


                  (i)      Notwithstanding the foregoing,  in the event that the
                           Subsidiary  Guarantee would constitute or result in a
                           violation of any applicable  fraudulent conveyance or


                                        2
<PAGE>

                           similar  law  of  any  relevant   jurisdiction,   the
                           liability of the  Guaranteeing  Subsidiary under this
                           Fourth  Supplemental  Indenture  and  the  Subsidiary
                           Guarantee  shall be  reduced  to the  maximum  amount
                           permissible  under  such  fraudulent   conveyance  or
                           similar law.


                  3.       SUBORDINATION. Payment of principal, premium, if any,
and interest and  Liquidated  Damages,  if any, on the  Subsidiary  Guarantee is
subordinated  to the prior payment in full of Senior Debt on the terms  provided
in the Indenture.

                  4.       EXECUTION AND DELIVERY.  The Guaranteeing  Subsidiary
agrees  that the  Subsidiary  Guarantee  shall  remain in full  force and effect
notwithstanding  any  failure  to  endorse  on  each  Note a  notation  of  such
Subsidiary Guarantee.

                  5.       GUARANTEEING  SUBSIDIARY  MAY  CONSOLIDATE,  ETC.  ON
CERTAIN TERMS.

                  (a)      The Guaranteeing  Subsidiary may not consolidate with
                           or merge with or into (whether or not such  Guarantor
                           is the surviving Person) another corporation,  Person
                           or  entity  whether  or  not  affiliated   with  such
                           Guarantor unless:

                           (i)      subject to Section  11.05 of the  Indenture,
                                    the Person  formed by or surviving  any such
                                    consolidation  or merger  (if  other  than a
                                    Guarantor  or the  Company)  unconditionally
                                    assumes   all   the   obligations   of  such
                                    Guarantor,   pursuant   to  a   supplemental
                                    indenture in form and  substance  reasonably
                                    satisfactory  to  the  Trustee,   under  the
                                    Notes,  the  Indenture  and  the  Subsidiary
                                    Guarantee  on the terms set forth  herein or
                                    therein; and

                           (ii)     immediately  after  giving  effect  to  such
                                    transaction,  no Default or Event of Default
                                    exists.

                  (b)      In case of any such  consolidation,  merger,  sale or
                           conveyance  and upon the  assumption by the successor
                           corporation, by supplemental indenture,  executed and
                           delivered to the Trustee and  satisfactory in form to
                           the Trustee,  of the  Subsidiary  Guarantee  endorsed
                           upon the Notes and the due and  punctual  performance
                           of  all  of  the  covenants  and  conditions  of  the
                           Indenture  to be  performed  by the  Guarantor,  such
                           successor   corporation   shall  succeed  to  and  be
                           substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as
                           if it had been  named  herein  as a  Guarantor.  Such
                           successor  corporation  thereupon  may  cause  to  be
                           signed the  Subsidiary  Guarantee to be endorsed upon
                           all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore
                           shall  not  have  been  signed  by  the  Company  and
                           delivered to the Trustee. The Subsidiary Guarantee so
                           issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank
                           and benefit  under the  Indenture  as the  Subsidiary
                           Guarantee   theretofore  and  thereafter   issued  in
                           accordance  with the terms of the Indenture as though
                           the Subsidiary  Guarantee had been issued at the date
                           of the execution hereof.

                  (c)      Except  as  set  forth  in  Articles  4 and 5 of  the
                           Indenture,  and  notwithstanding  clauses (a) and (b)
                           above,  nothing  contained in the Indenture or in any
                           of the  Notes  shall  prevent  any  consolidation  or
                           merger of a  Guarantor  with or into the  Company  or



                                        3
<PAGE>

                           another  Guarantor,  or  shall  prevent  any  sale or
                           conveyance  of  the  property  of a  Guarantor  as an
                           entirety  or  substantially  as an  entirety  to  the
                           Company or another Guarantor.

                  6.       RELEASES.

                  (a)      In the event of a sale or other disposition of all of
                           the  assets  of any  Guarantor,  by  way  of  merger,
                           consolidation  or  otherwise,  or  a  sale  or  other
                           disposition  of  all  of  the  capital  stock  of any
                           Guarantor,  then  such  Guarantor  (in the event of a
                           sale  or  other   disposition,   by  way  of  merger,
                           consolidation  or  otherwise,  of all of the  capital
                           stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring
                           the  property  (in  the  event  of a  sale  or  other
                           disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
                           of such  Guarantor)  will be released and relieved of
                           any  obligations  under  its  Subsidiary   Guarantee;
                           PROVIDED  that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other
                           disposition   are  applied  in  accordance  with  the
                           applicable  provisions  of the  Indenture,  including
                           without  limitation,  Section 4.10 of the  Indenture.
                           Upon  delivery  by the  Company to the  Trustee of an
                           Officers'  Certificate  and an  Opinion of Counsel to
                           the effect  that such sale or other  disposition  was
                           made by the Company in accordance with the provisions
                           of  the  Indenture,   including  without   limitation
                           Section  4.10 of the  Indenture,  the  Trustee  shall
                           execute any documents reasonably required in order to
                           evidence  the  release  of  any  Guarantor  from  its
                           obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

                  (b)      Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under
                           its Subsidiary  Guarantee shall remain liable for the
                           full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes
                           and for the other  obligations of any Guarantor under
                           the  Indenture  as  provided  in  Article  11 of  the
                           Indenture.

                  7.       NO  RECOURSE  AGAINST  OTHERS.   No past,  present or
future director,  officer, employee,  incorporator,  stockholder or agent of the
Guaranteeing  Subsidiary,  as such, shall have any liability for any obligations
of the Company or any  Guaranteeing  Subsidiary  under the Notes, any Subsidiary
Guarantees,  the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based
on, in respect of, or by reason of, such  obligations  or their  creation.  Each
Holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such  liability.
The waiver and release are part of the  consideration for issuance of the Notes.
Such  waiver  may not be  effective  to  waive  liabilities  under  the  federal
securities  laws  and it is the view of the SEC that  such a waiver  is  against
public policy.

                  8.       NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE BUT
WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT
THAT THE  APPLICATION  OF THE LAWS OF  ANOTHER  JURISDICTION  WOULD BE  REQUIRED
THEREBY.

                  9.       COUNTERPARTS.   The  parties may  sign any  number of
copies of this  Supplemental  Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original,
but all of them together represent the same agreement.

                  10.      EFFECT OF HEADINGS.  The Section  headings herein are
for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.


                                       4
<PAGE>

                  11.      THE TRUSTEE.  The Trustee shall not be responsible in
any manner  whatsoever  for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this
Supplemental  Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals  contained  herein,
all of which  recitals are made solely by the  Guaranteeing  Subsidiary  and the
Company.

































                                       5
<PAGE>



                                    IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have
caused this Fourth Supplemental  Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all
as of the date first above written.

Dated:  November 1, 1999

                                      WASHINGTON EQUIPMENT COMPANY


                                      By:      /s/ R. L. Montgomery
                                               ----------------------------
                                      Name:    R. L. Montgomery
                                      Title:   Vice President and Treasurer



                                      G.L. INTERNATIONAL INC.


                                      By:      /s/ R. L. Montgomery
                                               ----------------------------
                                      Name:    R. L. Montgomery
                                      Title:   Vice President and Treasurer



                                      GAFFEY, INC.


                                      By:      /s/ R. L. Montgomery
                                               ----------------------------
                                      Name:    R. L. Montgomery
                                      Title:   Vice President and Treasurer



                                      HANDLING SYSTEMS AND CONVEYORS, INC.


                                      By:      /s/ R. L. Montgomery
                                               ----------------------------
                                      Name:    R. L. Montgomery
                                      Title:   Vice President and Treasurer



                                      LARCO MATERIAL HANDLING INC.


                                      By:      /s/ R. L. Montgomery
                                               ----------------------------
                                      Name:    R. L. Montgomery
                                      Title:   Vice President and Treasurer




<PAGE>

                                      ABELL-HOWE CRANE, INC..


                                      By:      /s/ R. L. Montgomery
                                               ----------------------------
                                      Name:    R. L. Montgomery
                                      Title:   Vice President and Treasurer




                                      AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS, INC.


                                      By:      /s/ R. L. Montgomery
                                               ----------------------------
                                      Name:    R. L. Montgomery
                                      Title:   Treasurer



                                      LICO STEEL, INC.


                                      By:      /s/ R. L. Montgomery
                                               ----------------------------
                                      Name:    R. L. Montgomery
                                      Title:   Treasurer



                                      COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION


                                      By:      /s/ R. L. Montgomery
                                               ----------------------------
                                      Name:    R. L. Montgomery
                                      Title:   Executive Vice President



                                      YALE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, INC.


                                      By:      /s/ R. L. Montgomery
                                               ----------------------------
                                      Name:    R. L. Montgomery
                                      Title:   Vice President and Treasurer


<PAGE>


                                      STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
                                      as Trustee


                                      By:      /s/ Cheryl L. Clark
                                               ----------------------------
                                      Name:    Cheryl L. Clarke
                                      Title:   Assistant Secretary


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>

     THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM SEC
FORM 10-Q AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                      0001005229
<NAME>                  COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                 APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   Oct-03-1999
<CASH>                                              20,071
<SECURITIES>                                             0
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                                    0
                                              0
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<SALES>                                            363,609
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   363,609
<CGS>                                              276,764
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      276,764
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    54,406
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  16,573
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<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  6,906
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<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         6,906
<EPS-BASIC>                                          .49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .49


</TABLE>


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