Manitowoc, Wis.-based Manitowoc Cranes last week said it is laying off 159 employees at its Manitowoc and Port Washington, Wis., facilities because of lower demand for its products.

The job cuts represent about 13 percent of its Crane Group work force in the two cities, the company said.

Earlier this year, Manitowoc CEO Glen Tellock estimated that crane sales will fall 20 percent in 2009.

The Manitowoc Co. is a multi-industry, capital goods manufacturer with more than 100 manufacturing and service facilities in 27 countries. It provides lifting equipment for the global construction industry, including lattice-boom cranes, tower cranes, mobile telescopic cranes and boom trucks.