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KCI KONECRANES SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH R.STAHL AG TO ACQUIRE THEIR

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KCI KONECRANES PLC  STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE   26 October, 2005 9.45 a.m.  1(2)


KCI KONECRANES SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH R.STAHL AG TO ACQUIRE THEIR
MATERIAL HANDLING DIVISION

KCI Konecranes has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Germany-
based R.STAHL AG to acquire their Material Handling division.
In year 2004, the Material Handling division generated sales of EUR 113 M.
R.STAHL is a significant global player in the field of overhead material
handling.
The parties see a good strategic fit in their respective activities.
The planned acquisition is expected to be EPS neutral in 2006 and accretive from
2007.

KCI Konecranes Plc has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and
exclusive negotiations with R. STAHL AG, Waldenburg, Germany, concerning a
possible acquisition of their Material Handling division. The Material Handling
division, R.Stahl Fördertechnik, generated EUR 113 M in annual sales 2004
accounting for 46 % of the R.Stahl Group's turnover.

R.STAHL Fördertechnik is today a significant global player with its range of
products for overhead material handling. The company is a leader in several
highly specialised lifting applications, such as explosion proof material
handling. Additionally, the division supplies a wide range of components such as
chain and wire rope hoists and related maintenance services. The company has
manufacturing sites in Künzelsau and Ettlingen, Germany. The company has
approximately 750 employees.

The management of R. STAHL is convinced that, united with KCI Konecranes, R.
STAHL Fördertechnik will be able to assume a better position medium to long term
in a highly competitive market than it would as part of the R. STAHL technology
group.

"The activities of KCI Konecranes and R.STAHL Fördertechnik have a good strategic
fit. The products and market segments are highly complementary, with only limited
overlap. The planned acquisition would provide important synergies and the access
to a large global installed base, " says KCI Konecranes President and CEO Pekka
Lundmark.

In case of successful completion of the negotiations, the agreement on the sale
of R. STAHL Fördertechnik to KCI Konecranes shall be signed by the end of
November 2005. Subject to clearance by the respective merger control authorities,
the transaction is expected to close by year-end 2005.

The planned transaction is expected to be EPS neutral in 2006 and contribute
positively to earnings per share from 2007.


About R.STAHL AG
Founded in 1876 by Rafael Stahl, R. STAHL is a technology group providing
products for demanding special performance areas. The main emphasis is on the
Explosion Protection and Material Handling divisions providing over 90% of the
group's turnover. Based in Waldenburg, Germany, R.STAHL AG is listed on the
Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock Exchanges. In 2004, the R. STAHL Group had annual
sales of EUR 253 M. For more information, visit the R. Stahl Web site:
http://www.stahl.de.





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About KCI Konecranes Plc
KCI Konecranes is a world leading engineering group specialising in advanced
overhead lifting solutions and maintenance services. KCI Konecranes is the
world's leading supplier of heavy-duty cranes for process industries and
shipyards. KCI Konecranes is a global supplier of special harbour cranes for bulk
materials and containers and of mobile container handling equipment like Reach
Stackers and Lift Trucks. In 2004, Group sales totalled EUR 728 million. The
Group has 4,900 employees in 35 countries.

KCI KONECRANES PLC


Franciska Janzon
IR Manager




FURTHER INFORMATION
KCI Konecranes Plc
Pekka Lundmark, President & CEO, phone: +358-20 427 2000
Teuvo Rintamäki, Chief Financial Officer, phone: +358-20 427 2040



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