Largest M&A Deal in the Global Lifting Equipment Industry Finalized: Columbus McKinnon Completes $2.7 Billion Acquisition of Kito Crosby

Source: PR Newswire (Columbus McKinnon official announcement) | Date: February 4, 2026

Figure 1: M&A announcement image—joint display of the Columbus McKinnon and Kito Crosby brands.
Image source: Kito Canada

Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ: CMCO; headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina) has officially completed its acquisition of Kito Crosby, purchasing equity interests held by funds managed by KKR. The acquisition agreement was originally signed on February 10, 2025, and underwent 14 regulatory reviews, including antitrust clearance granted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division on January 31, 2026, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

Kito Crosby is a pioneer in the lifting and rigging industry with a history spanning over 260 years; its portfolio includes renowned brands such as Kito, Crosby, Harrington, Gunnebo Industries, Peerless, and eepos, supported by a global engineering, manufacturing, and distribution network. Following the merger, the combined company will operate under a unified management team spanning the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and EMEA regions: David Wilson will continue as President and CEO, Gregory Rustowicz will serve as CFO, while former Kito Crosby executives Yoshio Kito and Wim Fabricius will lead the Asia-Pacific and EMEA regions, respectively. Management stated that the integration combines the strengths of both companies in technical expertise and customer-centric cultures, aiming to set new standards for safety and performance for global customers.

Regarding financing, the transaction was funded through a $1.65 billion Term Loan B, a $500 million revolving credit facility, $900 million in 7.125% senior secured notes (due 2033), and an $800 million investment in Series A convertible preferred stock by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R). As part of the preferred stock investment, the company’s board of directors expanded from nine to twelve members with the addition of three new directors. JPMorgan served as financial advisor to Columbus McKinnon, while Evercore and Goldman Sachs acted as lead financial advisors to Kito Crosby and KKR. Industry analysts project that the merger will double the company’s revenue to over $2 billion and generate $70 million in annualized cost synergies.

Original News Source: PR Newswire (Official Announcement from Columbus McKinnon)