(ANSA) - UDINE, NOV. 26 - Japan's multinational Kito group, based in Tokyo with an annual turnover of 55 billion yen (about 43 million euros), and 2,169 employees, which is the owner of the former Weissenfels steelworks in Fusine in Valromana, Tarvisio (Udine), a company with a core business in the construction of hoists and chains, is going to hire a new professional manager in order to expand into the Eastern European market. Kito's objective - the former Weissenfels reported today in a statement - is to reinforce this market, which today accounts for only a small percentage of its turnover. A new 'development axis' that goes from Kito Chain Italia, with the historic Tarvisio-based steel mills, led by Raffaele Fantelli, in order to focus on Eastern Europe, including the Balkans, and reach the United States, where Kito has two factories and a 250m turnover. In the USA, Kito is present with Harrington Hoist, which manufactures and sells hoists, and with Kito Perless, which manufactures chains and accessories produced by Kito Chain Italia, through Weissenfels. The two US companies are wholly owned by Kito Corporation Japan and have very strong balance sheets, just like the Japanese parent company. (ANSA).