The Manitowoc Company, Inc. reported net sales of $422.3 million for the third quarter of 2003, increasing 7 percent from $394.9 million during the same period last year. The company also reported net earnings of $7.2 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $14.7 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2002. Excluding special charges totaling $2.2 million ($1.6 million net of tax), third-quarter earnings were $0.33 per diluted share. Special charges primarily included $1.2 million for restructuring charges related to rationalization and facility closures in the Crane segment and approximately $0.5 million in fees related to early debt payment. A reconciliation of earnings per share from reported GAAP amounts to non-GAAP amounts is included later in this release. Excluding the Grove acquisition, third-quarter sales declined 9 percent from last year.