Konecranes starts statutory negotiations in Heavy Lifting in Finland With the continuing weak demand for lifting equipment, Konecranes is continuing adjustments to its capacity. As stated in the interim report January - March 2009, Konecranes is expecting the headcount number to further decrease during the coming quarters. Konecranes Heavy Lifting Corporation will start statutory negotiations regarding possible temporary and permanent layoffs. It is estimated that the permanent personnel reductions will affect at most 80 employees in Finland. The statutory negotiations now initiated target all personnel of Konecranes Heavy Lifting Corporation in Finland. In addition to possible temporary layoffs, Konecranes Heavy Lifting Corporation is negotiating the possible permanent layoff of at most 80 employees. Konecranes Heavy Lifting Corporation supplying port cranes and heavy industrial cranes, employs about 620 people in Finland. The aim of the measures is to adjust the company's cost structure and capacity to correspond with the current, weakened market situation and to secure future competitiveness. Konecranes has already adjusted its capacity through various arrangements, e.g. by reducing the use of hired personnel and temporary employment. Additionally, the company has shifted subcontracting back to in-house production. Statutory negotiations continue within Konecranes Standard Lifting Corporation and Konecranes Service Corporation. Additional information: Press Mikael Wegmüller, Director, Marketing and Communications, Konecranes Plc Email: mikael.wegmuller@konecranes.com, or tel. +358 20 427 2008 Investors and analysts: Sanna Päiväniemi, Investor Relations Manager, Konecranes Plc Email: sanna.paivaniemi@konecranes.com, or tel. +358 20 427 2050 Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment and machine tools of all makes. In 2008, Group sales totaled EUR 2,103 million. The Group has 9,600 employees, at 485 locations in 43 countries. Konecranes is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd (symbol: KCR1V).