KCI Konecranes has released a statement to clarify possible confusion surrounding a multi-million dollar deal in the making in Russia.

KCI Konecranes, which last week announced it had acquired SMV (Forkliftaction.com News #174), said a crane order announced by OAO Magnitogorsk Metallurgicheski Combinat (MMC) September 3 did not meet the company's criteria for consideration as a confirmed order.

"We can confirm that ... the details of the agreement are still being finalised," said KCI Konecranes CEO Stig Gustavson.

The MMC order is for more than 20 cranes, worth USD34 million, with deliveries due to start in August 2005.