This bit of information could begin with the immortal lines, "'Twas the night before Christmas …" As the market closed last Dec. 24, Wisconsin-based Manitowoc
For now, Manitowoc operates in three divisions: cranes and related products, food service equipment, and military and commercial vessels. The "for now" indicates that the company is adding to its food service unit and shedding its marine segment. While most of the former has involved refrigerating equipment, by year's end it will complete the acquisition of Enodis plc, a Tampa, Fla.-based maker of largely hot food service equipment, for which it outbid Illinois Tool Works
This gets us to the bread and butter of the company, its crane operation. In its most recent quarter, the segment accounted for more than 80% of total revenues and checked in with a 39% jump in its own operating earnings. Earlier this year, the unit formed a joint venture with a leading Chinese crane company for the manufacturer of cranes in Shandong Province.
One of Manitowoc's key competitors is Terex
Despite its slide, Motley Fool CAPS players obviously have faith in Manitowoc, having accorded it a five-star rating. What's your vote?
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