SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): JUNE 4, 2001
                                                  ------------


                          COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
                          -----------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    NEW YORK
                                    --------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)



                   0-27618                     16-0547600
                   -------                     ----------
           (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)



140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY, AMHERST, NEW YORK                  14228-1197
-------------------------------------------------                  ----------
    (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)




Registrant's telephone number including area code: (716) 689-5400
                                                   --------------




 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


<PAGE>




Item 5.  OTHER EVENTS

     On June 4, 2001,  the  registrant  announced  a major step in its  facility
rationalization  program with the closure of its Forrest City, Arkansas plant. A
copy of the press  release  issued in  connection  with such  action is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.

Item 7.  EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION

99                                  Press Release dated June 4, 2001




<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                          COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION

                                          By:   /S/ ROBERT L. MONTGOMERY, JR.
                                                -----------------------------
                                          Name:  Robert L. Montgomery, Jr.
                                          Title: Executive Vice President


Dated:  JUNE 4, 2001


<PAGE>





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NUMBER     DESCRIPTION                                            PAGE
---------------    -----------                                            ----

         99        Press Release dated June 4, 2001                          1
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "fc8k.txt", "description": "ANNOUNCEMENT OF PLANT CLOSURE", "secsgml_size_bytes": 2783}]
[{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORP", "cik": "0001005229", "assigned-sic": "3531", "irs-number": "160547600", "state-of-incorporation": "NY", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-27618", "film-number": "1653821"}, "business-address": {"street1": "140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PKWY", "city": "AMHERST", "state": "NY", "zip": "14228-1197", "phone": "7166895400"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY", "city": "AMHERST", "state": "NY", "zip": "14228-1197"}}, {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "LICO STEEL INC", "cik": "0001062622", "assigned-sic": "0000", "state-of-incorporation": "MO", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "333-53759-04", "film-number": "1653822"}, "business-address": {"street1": "140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY", "city": "AMHERST", "state": "NY", "zip": "19228-1197", "phone": "7166895400"}}, {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS INC", "cik": "0001062623", "assigned-sic": "0000", "irs-number": "430978181", "state-of-incorporation": "MO", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "333-53759-05", "film-number": "1653823"}, "business-address": {"street1": "140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY", "city": "AMHERST", "state": "NY", "zip": "19228-1197", "phone": "7166895400"}}, {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "YALE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS INC", "cik": "0001062624", "assigned-sic": "0000", "irs-number": "710585582", "state-of-incorporation": "MO", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "333-53759-06", "film-number": "1653824"}, "business-address": {"street1": "140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY", "city": "AMHERST", "state": "NY", "zip": "19228-1197", "phone": "7166895400"}}]
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): JUNE 4, 2001
                                                  ------------

                          COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
                          -----------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    NEW YORK
                                    --------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

                   0-27618                     16-0547600
                   -------                     ----------
           (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY, AMHERST, NEW YORK                  14228-1197
-------------------------------------------------                  ----------
    (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number including area code: (716) 689-5400
                                                   --------------

 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 5.  OTHER EVENTS

     On June 4, 2001,  the  registrant  announced  a major step in its  facility
rationalization  program with the closure of its Forrest City, Arkansas plant. A
copy of the press  release  issued in  connection  with such  action is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.

Item 7.  EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION

99                                  Press Release dated June 4, 2001
SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                          COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION

                                          By:   /S/ ROBERT L. MONTGOMERY, JR.
                                                -----------------------------
                                          Name:  Robert L. Montgomery, Jr.
                                          Title: Executive Vice President

Dated:  JUNE 4, 2001
EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER     DESCRIPTION                                            PAGE
---------------    -----------                                            ----

         99        Press Release dated June 4, 2001                          1