SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                   F 0 R M 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): January 11, 2000


                          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 January 10, 2000,  the registrant  retained Bear,  Stearns & Co. Inc. to
advise it on strategic  alternatives to maximize shareholder value,  including a
sale or merger of the Company.  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 January 11, 2000







<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:  January 11, 2000

<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


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

     99                   Press Release dated January 11, 2000              5
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "description": "PRESS RELEASE - BEAR STEARNS ENGAGED", "secsgml_size_bytes": 2954}]
[{"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": "505584"}, "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": "505585"}, "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": "505586"}, "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": "505587"}, "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
                                   F 0 R M 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): January 11, 2000

                          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 January 10, 2000,  the registrant  retained Bear,  Stearns & Co. Inc. to
advise it on strategic  alternatives to maximize shareholder value,  including a
sale or merger of the Company.  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 January 11, 2000
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:  January 11, 2000
EXHIBIT INDEX

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

     99                   Press Release dated January 11, 2000              5