Columbus McKinnon Reshapes Leadership After Kito Crosby Deal

The lifting and motion control specialist confirmed that Yoshio Kito and Wim Fabricius will remain as regional presidents, overseeing operations in Asia Pacific and the EMEA region, respectively. They join Appal Chintapalli, Columbus McKinnon’s president of the Americas, to form a consolidated regional leadership tier. According to the company, these appointments are supported by functional leaders from both organizations to ensure a seamless transition of the executive team.

Operational continuity remains a priority in the Americas. Jon Backes, who leads lifting hardware, and Carlo Lonardi, head of hoists and cranes, will maintain their current roles while reporting to Chintapalli. However, the status of Kito Crosby’s top tier—specifically CEO Robert Desel and CFO Brock Hancock—remains unclear, as the company did not include them in the newly announced leadership roster.

Strategic Board Expansion

To govern the larger entity, Columbus McKinnon increased its board of directors to 12 members, adding Michael Lamach, Nate Sleeper, and Andrew Campelli. While the board grows, the core C-suite remains stable; Chief Executive David Wilson and CFO Gregory Rustowicz will continue to lead the organization following the deal's Wednesday closing. The acquisition, originally announced in February, sees the company take over Kito Crosby from the private equity firm KKR.

This integration marks a significant shift for Columbus McKinnon as it seeks to scale its motion control services globally. By absorbing Kito Crosby’s regional expertise, the company aims to streamline its international supply chain and hardware divisions under a single corporate umbrella.