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: April 17, 2001
                        (Date of earliest event reported)



                           The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



      Wisconsin                     1-11978                     39-0448110
 --------------------         ---------------------          ------------------
   (State or other               (Commission File              (IRS Employer
   jurisdiction of                   Number)                 Identification No.)
    incorporation)


             500 South 16th Street, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54221-0066
        -----------------------------------------------------------------
           (Address of principal executive offices including zip code)


                                 (920) 684-4410
                       ----------------------------------
                         (Registrant's telephone number)


                    INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

Item 5.   Other Events

          On April 17, 2001, The Manitowoc Company, Inc. issued a press release
announcing its earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2001. A copy of
such press release is filed as Exhibit 20 and is incorporated by reference
herein.



Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)      Exhibits.

          See the Exhibit Index following the Signature page of this report,
which is incorporated herein by reference.


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                                   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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                        THE MANITOWOC COMPANY, INC.



Date: April 19, 2001                    /s/ Glen E. Tellock
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Glen E. Tellock, Senior Vice President
                                        and Chief Financial Officer


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                           THE MANITOWOC COMPANY, INC.
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                       TO
                             FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT
                           DATED AS OF APRIL 17, 2001


        Exhibit
         Number     Description

          20        Press Release dated April 17, 2001, regarding the company's
                    first quarter earnings.


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