18 July 2007
AddisonMckee secures 2007 Excellence in Exporting Award

Columbus, Ohio, 18th July 2007: World-leading tube manipulation technology providers, AddisonMckee, have today been presented with a coveted ‘2007 Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Award (E-Award)’ by The Ohio Department of Development - International Trade Division, The Association of Ohio Commodores, LaSalle Bank ABN AMRO and UPS.

This latest award, recognizing AddisonMckee’s export achievements, follows hot on the heels of the ‘World-Class Manufacturing Award’ presented to the company on 30th May 2007 by The Manufacturer magazine. On that occasion, AddisonMckee was recognized for promoting world-class levels of manufacturing excellence in the United States.

Heightened awareness of exporting

Presented by the Honorable Ted Strickland, Governor of the State of Ohio, at the Statehouse Atrium in Columbus, the Excellence in Exporting Award is given each year to companies and organizations of all sizes that have demonstrated outstanding performance in exporting or heightened awareness of exporting as a vital component of the State’s economy. This year AddisonMckee was one of only thirty-one Ohio-based companies to receive this distinguished honor.

Product innovations, Financial and Operational Performance

As part of the judging criteria, AddisonMckee had to demonstrate its ability to provide the tube manipulation innovations and rapid solutions to market that today’s internationally-based component manufacturers rely on for their ongoing success. At the same time, the company was scrutinized over its financial performance, global distribution capabilities and support offerings and was able to show revenue growth in excess of 107% over the past five years and global consolidated revenue of over $58 million in 2006.

Significant commitment to export

As you would expect from an export award, a significant part of the judging criteria was devoted to export sales. Here, AddisonMckee was able to demonstrate that in 2006, more than 20% of its world-class manufacturing technologies were sold to customers overseas, with numerous global trade shows also attended. Additionally, the company was recognized as having significant expertise in international marketing, being willing to travel to target markets to meet local agents, for the development of overseas offices, distributors and subsidiaries - and for the creation of foreign language sales literature.

Ongoing success

Commented AddisonMckee President and COO, Joe Eramo, “We are absolutely delighted to receive the 2007 Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Award (E-Award) and to have been chosen as a suitable winner by such an esteemed judging panel. As the leading global tube bending and end-forming technology company, we focus on our global customers and in exceeding their expectations – a focus that, by its very definition, enhances business opportunities for our operations in Canada, United Kingdom, China and the USA. In winning this recognition, we have demonstrated that not only are we committed to export sales, but that we have put in place the necessary infrastructures around the world to ensure ongoing success.”

About AddisonMckee

2007 winners of The Manufacturer magazine’s World-Class Manufacturing Award – a prestigious award based on an organization’s ability to benchmark, examine and make continuous improvements in all aspects of its operations – AddisonMckee is globally renowned for the design, manufacture and supply of some of the world’s finest tube bending and end forming technologies – for increasingly complex automotive, aviation, truck and shipbuilding requirements.

In addition, AddisonMckee also offers highly innovative tube measuring solutions, tube perforation, piercing and louvring technologies, hydraulic press machinery, muffler assembly solutions, plant automation and complete workcell integration.

In addition to these capabilities, a whole range of tooling and accessory options are also provided, as are comprehensive maintenance and service contracts, training and education programs and financial services. Where applicable, AddisonMckee is also able to offer customers the opportunity of machine rebuilds, refurbishment, upgrades and trade-ins.

From its state-of-the-art manufacturing centers in the USA, United Kingdom, Canada and China, AddisonMckee is committed to providing rapid solutions to market and also regularly assists clients in product prototyping, parts development, small production runs and pre-production sample development.

AddisonMckee is principally owned by WHI Capital Partners (WHICP), a Chicago-based private equity group that invests in middle market, industry-leading companies with solid financial fundamentals and proven management teams. WHICP is an affiliate of William Harris Investors, Inc., a family-based asset management firm founded by Irving B. Harris in 1987.

For further information please contact:

Rachel Thomas – BHL Marketing
E-mail: rachel@bhlmarketing.com
Tel:  +44 (0) 1244 851850
Fax: +44 (0) 1244 851888

Christian Rogiers, Global Marketing Director – AddisonMckee
E-mail: crogiers@addisonmckee.com
Tel:  +1 513 228 7076
Fax: +1 513 228 7226