Hijikata, Martz named to new positions

Lexington, Ky. (August 12, 1998) -- Mr. T. Makino, Chairman of the Board of Link-Belt Construction Equipment Company and President of Sumitomo Construction Machinery (SCM), announced today the appointments of Mr. T. Hijikata as Managing Director of SCM's new crane division in Japan and Chuck Martz as President of Link-Belt Construction Equipment Company, effective September 1, 1998.

Mr. Hijikata, as President of Link-Belt, guided the company to become a significant contributor of SCM's overall business success with four consecutive years of record sales and profits. In this new assignment, Hijikata’s 35 years of service with SCM in engineering and management will be utilized in expanding SCM’s position as the world’s leading supplier of lattice boom cranes.

Martz most recently has served as Link-Belt's Executive Vice President. Martz, a 1973 graduate of the University of Kentucky began his career with Link-Belt over 23 years ago. He has held various positions in accounting before being named Vice President of Finance and then, Vice President of Manufacturing.

Mr. Makino stated these promotions are being made in conjunction with previous announcements of divisionalization of Sumitomo Construction Machinery's businesses, wherein Link-Belt will become the strategic platform for the crane business in the Western Hemisphere.