NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT:
    Robert R. Friedl, Vice President - Finance
    and Chief Financial Officer
    716-689-5479



COLUMBUS MCKINNON ANNOUNCES SALE OF CHICAGO AREA PROPERTY


AMHERST, N.Y., January 14, 2005 -- Columbus McKinnon Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCO),
a leading  designer  and  manufacturer  of  material  handling  products,  today
reported  that it had  completed  the sale of a 4.6 acre  property that included
a116,000  square foot building in the Greater Chicago area for $3.675 million on
January 13, 2005.  The favorable  effect to net income in the fourth  quarter of
fiscal  2005 ending on March 31, 2005 will be $2.65  million,  or  approximately
$0.18 per diluted share.

The building was available for sale as a result of the facility  rationalization
and lean manufacturing efforts of Columbus McKinnon. It had previously been used
as a site for the manufacture of cranes. That operation is now primarily located
in Eureka,  IL.  Timothy  T.  Tevens,  President  and CEO of  Columbus  McKinnon
commented,  "We are  pleased  to have  successfully  closed  on the sale of this
property and will use the proceeds to pay down debt."

ABOUT COLUMBUS MCKINNON

Columbus McKinnon is a leading  worldwide  designer and manufacturer of material
handling  products,  systems and services,  which  efficiently and ergonomically
move, lift,  position or secure material.  Key products include hoists,  cranes,
chain  and  forged  attachments.  The  Company  is  focused  on  commercial  and
industrial  applications  that  require the safety and  quality  provided by its
superior design and engineering know-how.  Comprehensive information on Columbus
McKinnon is available on its web site at .

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release contains  "forward-looking  statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements  include,
but are not limited  to,  statements  concerning  future  revenue and  earnings,
involve  known and unknown  risks,  uncertainties  and other  factors that could
cause the actual  results of the Company to differ  materially  from the results
expressed  or implied by such  statements,  including  the  likelihood  that the
Company will be successful in the sale of its remaining  asset held for sale and
other  factors  disclosed  in the  Company's  periodic  reports  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company assumes no obligation to update
the forward-looking information contained in this release.


                                       ###
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NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT:
    Robert R. Friedl, Vice President - Finance
    and Chief Financial Officer
    716-689-5479

COLUMBUS MCKINNON ANNOUNCES SALE OF CHICAGO AREA PROPERTY

AMHERST, N.Y., January 14, 2005 -- Columbus McKinnon Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCO),
a leading  designer  and  manufacturer  of  material  handling  products,  today
reported  that it had  completed  the sale of a 4.6 acre  property that included
a116,000  square foot building in the Greater Chicago area for $3.675 million on
January 13, 2005.  The favorable  effect to net income in the fourth  quarter of
fiscal  2005 ending on March 31, 2005 will be $2.65  million,  or  approximately
$0.18 per diluted share.

The building was available for sale as a result of the facility  rationalization
and lean manufacturing efforts of Columbus McKinnon. It had previously been used
as a site for the manufacture of cranes. That operation is now primarily located
in Eureka,  IL.  Timothy  T.  Tevens,  President  and CEO of  Columbus  McKinnon
commented,  "We are  pleased  to have  successfully  closed  on the sale of this
property and will use the proceeds to pay down debt."

ABOUT COLUMBUS MCKINNON

Columbus McKinnon is a leading  worldwide  designer and manufacturer of material
handling  products,  systems and services,  which  efficiently and ergonomically
move, lift,  position or secure material.  Key products include hoists,  cranes,
chain  and  forged  attachments.  The  Company  is  focused  on  commercial  and
industrial  applications  that  require the safety and  quality  provided by its
superior design and engineering know-how.  Comprehensive information on Columbus
McKinnon is available on its web site at .

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release contains  "forward-looking  statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements  include,
but are not limited  to,  statements  concerning  future  revenue and  earnings,
involve  known and unknown  risks,  uncertainties  and other  factors that could
cause the actual  results of the Company to differ  materially  from the results
expressed  or implied by such  statements,  including  the  likelihood  that the
Company will be successful in the sale of its remaining  asset held for sale and
other  factors  disclosed  in the  Company's  periodic  reports  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company assumes no obligation to update
the forward-looking information contained in this release.

                                       ###