The U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division granted clearance for Columbus McKinnon Corporation’s pending acquisition of Kito Crosby Limited on February 2, 2026. The approval follows a consent decree that requires Columbus McKinnon to divest its U.S. power‑chain hoist and chain operations to Pacific Avenue Capital Partners, LLC, thereby addressing the DOJ’s concerns about market concentration in the electric chain hoist and overhead lifting chain segments.
The transaction is valued at approximately $2.7 billion and will be financed through a combination of committed debt and a preferred‑equity investment from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. CD&R will acquire a 40% stake in Columbus McKinnon as part of the financing package, positioning the company for accelerated growth and providing a strategic partner with deep industry expertise.
Strategically, the deal expands Columbus McKinnon’s product portfolio and strengthens its presence in the Asia‑Pacific market. Management projects annualized net cost synergies of $70 million by year three, driven by shared manufacturing, distribution, and engineering resources. The purchase price represents roughly 8× trailing‑12‑month adjusted EBITDA, a multiple that reflects the combined entity’s expected earnings power and the premium paid for market share gains.
Financially, Kito Crosby generated $1.1 billion in revenue in 2024, while Columbus McKinnon reported about $1 billion in revenue for the same year. The combined company will therefore command roughly $2.1 billion in annual sales, positioning it as a leading player in the lifting and securement industry and providing a solid foundation for the projected synergies.
The DOJ’s clearance follows a series of regulatory steps: a complaint and proposed settlement filed on January 29, 2026; a court‑approved asset‑preservation order on January 31; and the final consent decree. These actions satisfied the Tunney Act requirements and removed the last regulatory hurdle, allowing the parties to move forward with integration plans.
David Wilson, President and CEO of Columbus McKinnon, said the clearance “marks the final regulatory milestone in a transaction that will deliver scale, broaden our product portfolio, and deepen our service capabilities in key growth markets.” He added that the combined company will be better positioned to invest in technology and talent, reinforcing its competitive advantage.
The parties expect the transaction to close in February 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Upon completion, the combined entity will pursue the outlined synergies and continue to serve customers across North America, Europe, and the Asia‑Pacific region with an expanded range of lifting and securement solutions.
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