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BIGGE ANNOUNCES OWNERSHIP CHANGE

SAN LEANDRO, Calif., May 12, 2004 --  After 46 years in the crane and rigging business, Brock R. Settlemier, CEO of The Bigge Group, is selling the business to his two sons, Weston J. Settlemier and B. Reid Settlemier.  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but the sale includes Bigge Crane and Rigging Company, Crane Certification Company and Bigge Development Company, all located in San Leandro, CA, and Shaughnessy Heavy Industries, located in Auburn, WA.  Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. was founded in 1916 by Henry W. Bigge.

"I'm excited about continuing the tradition that my grandfather started in 1916," said Weston J. Settlemier.  "We are looking forward to celebrating our 90th continuous year of local operations and community involvement in Alameda County in 2006.  Bigge is one of the few construction companies headquartered in the Bay Area to transition the business through three generations.  Our commitment to providing innovative solutions to customer needs that began 88 years ago has served us well and remains our core focus."

Brock Settlemier, who was the majority owner of the Bigge Group, is retiring and will take over as Chairman of Bigge's Board of Advisors.  He began working for his father-in-law, Henry W. Bigge, in 1958 and purchased Bigge Drayage Co. from him in 1980.

Bigge's rich history of involvement in California development began with the hauling of trunks and cargo to and from railroad depots in the East Bay.  The company transported Liberty ship sections during World War II, hauled steel for both the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge construction, and contributed to the erection of fossil and nuclear power stations and every refinery in Northern California.  During Brock Settlemier's tenure, the company has prospered and grown, expanding and modernizing its fleet of cranes, rigging and hauling equipment and solidifying its industry-leading reputation for providing innovative solutions and quality equipment for heavy lift, heavy transport and customer needs.

Weston J. Settlemier has been the President of Bigge since 2000 and has been active in the business since 1994.  B. Reid Settlemier is the Vice President of Bigge and President of a related business, Bigge Equipment Company.  He has been active in the business since 1991.

CONTACT:
Cliff Jackson, CFO
Phone: (510) 638-8100
E-Mail: cjackson@bigge.com

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