8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 20, 2009

COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION

 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

NEW YORK

 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

0-27618                                                     16-0547600

 (Commission File Number)                  (IRS Employer Identification No.)

140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY, AMHERST, NEW YORK                  14228-1197

                      (Address of principal executive offices)                                                  (Zip Code)

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

____________________________________________

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[   ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[   ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[   ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[   ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

On February 20, 2009, the registrant announced that it has named Robert S. Clare to the newly created position of Managing Director – Asia Pacific. A copy of the press release issued in connection with such action is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c)             Exhibits.

EXHIBIT NUMBER	DESCRIPTION
99.1	Press Release dated February 20, 2009

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

By:       /s/ Karen L. Howard

        Name:  Karen L. Howard

Title:    Vice President and Chief

                Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Dated:  February 20, 2009

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER	DESCRIPTION
99.1	Press Release dated February 20, 2009

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Karen L. Howard

Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

 716-689-5550

karen.howard@cmworks.com

Columbus McKinnon Names Robert Clare to Serve as

Managing Director – Asia Pacific

AMHERST, N.Y. – February 20, 2009 – Columbus McKinnon Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCO) a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, has named Robert S. Clare to the newly created position of Managing Director – Asia Pacific.

For the past two years, Mr. Clare was the European Business Development Managing Director and successfully oversaw the integration of Columbus McKinnon products and brands into the European market.  For 10 years prior to that, he served as Columbus McKinnon’s Managing Director for the United Kingdom, based in Chester, England.

In his new role, based in Hong Kong, Clare will serve on Columbus McKinnon’s Executive Committee and be responsible for leading the Company’s sales and manufacturing operations in Asia Pacific and growing its presence in this important region of the world.

“Bob has been a key player on our very successful European team, and he now has responsibility for building our business in one of our highest-potential growth markets,” President and Chief Executive Officer Timothy T. Tevens said.  “This is another important step in the organizational restructuring of our leadership team to expand our global leadership in the material handling industry.”

The Company previously announced the appointments of Wolfgang Wegener, Vice President and Managing Director – CMCO Europe; Gene Buer, Executive Director – Hoist Products, Americas; and Charles Giesige, Executive Director – Rigging Products, Americas.

About Columbus McKinnon

Columbus McKinnon is a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, systems and services, which efficiently and ergonomically move, lift, position or secure material. Key products include hoists, actuators, 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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