NEWS RELEASE

                                                                        CONTACT:
                                                                Robert R. Friedl
                            Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer
                                                   Columbus McKinnon Corporation
                                                                    716-689-5479


                    Columbus McKinnon Names Derwin Gilbreath
                   Vice President and Chief Operating Officer


AMHERST, N.Y., February 22, 2005 - Columbus McKinnon Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCO),
a leading  designer  and  manufacturer  of  material  handling  products,  today
announced the appointment of Derwin  Gilbreath to the newly created  position of
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Gilbreath has more than 30 years of experience in industrial  operations and
management,  including Chief Operating Officer of the Metalworking Solutions and
Services Group of Kennametal  (NYSE:  KMT), Inc. Prior to joining  Kennametal in
1994, he also served in senior operations management positions at General Signal
Corporation and NL Industries. A graduate of the University of Houston (BBA) and
the University of North Texas (MBA), he began his manufacturing  career with TRW
Mission.

"Derwin  is an  excellent  addition  to  Columbus  McKinnon's  management  team,
bringing   significant   and  diverse   experience  in  managing   large  global
manufacturing  operations.  He has a very strong background in implementing Lean
Manufacturing and in leading sales  organizations that sell through a variety of
distribution  channels,"  said Timothy T. Tevens,  President and Chief Executive
Officer.  "Derwin's experience and strengths make him the ideal person to assume
the position of Chief Operating  Officer of Columbus  McKinnon as we continue to
refine our manufacturing operations and product lines and increase opportunities
in our domestic and global markets."

Mr.  Gilbreath,  who will report to Mr.  Tevens,  will have  operating and sales
responsibility  for  Columbus  McKinnon's  entire  Products  segment and certain
businesses in the Solutions segment.


About Columbus McKinnon
-----------------------
Columbus McKinnon is a leading  worldwide  designer and manufacturer of material
handling  products,  systems and services,  which  efficiently and ergonomically
move, lift,  position or secure material.  Key products include hoists,  cranes,
chain  and  forged  attachments.  The  Company  is  focused  on  commercial  and
industrial  applications  that  require the safety and  quality  provided by its
superior design and engineering know-how.  Comprehensive information on Columbus
McKinnon is available on its web site at http://www.cmworks.com.





Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains  "forward-looking  statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements  include,
but are not limited to, statements  concerning future revenue and earnings,  and
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  changes  in  accounting
regulations and other factors disclosed in the Company's  periodic reports filed
with the Securities and Exchange  Commission.  The Company assumes no obligation
to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.


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