Deerfield, IL (June 29, 2007)
Kinetek, a global leader in the design and manufacture of motors and controls for a variety of industrial and commercial applications, has announced the acquisition of Valmark Industries, Inc. (www.valmark.com), a Livermore, California based producer of sophisticated custom membrane switch assemblies, graphic panel overlays and shielding products. Valmark serves customers in medical, telecommunications, aviation, material handling, golf and other niche markets.

The acquisition of Valmark is a strategic addition to Kinetek’s portfolio of companies, according to Randy Bays, Kinetek president and chief operating officer. “Kinetek has achieved success in the past by focusing on motors, components, and control systems. Moving forward, we intend to create even greater value for our customers through a systems approach to product development. Integrating Valmark human machine interface (HMI) applications like keypads, touch screens and graphic overlays with Kinetek control systems are a great example of this value added product strategy.”

Valmark membrane switches hold distinct advantages over other keypad technologies — including low inertia, sealability, ultra low profile, and long life reliability — in a variety of end-use applications and environments. Valmark’s superior technical and manufacturing resources allow for the design, test, and manufacture of high quality products, in both prototype and production quantities, in industry leading turn around time. In addition to its core membrane switch, graphic panel overlay and shielding product lines, Valmark also designs and manufactures custom industrial and commercial labeling products.

Bob Sullivan, president of Valmark, noted several benefits of joining the Kinetek family of companies. “Valmark will have improved access to new markets for our products, the ability to tap into world class engineering and management resources, and be positioned to take advantage of Kinetek’s cost effective, world wide manufacturing network. I see this as a tremendous opportunity to leverage Kinetek resources and enhance the technical breadth of our product offerings.”

Valmark, an ISO 9001/2000 certified company, will be part of Kinetek’s Electronic Systems Group, according to Bud Hittie, president and chief operating officer of the electronics group. “Under Bob’s leadership, Valmark has emerged as a significant player in the membrane switch assembly arena. We look forward to integrating Valmark products into our Kinetek product lines in our common markets, and gaining access to unique Valmark markets.” Hittie added that Sullivan will continue in his role as president of Valmark, reporting directly to Hittie.

Kinetek provides its global customer base with customized solutions for their motor and motion control system needs. Kinetek’s comprehensive range of product lines includes AC, DC and brushless DC electric motors (sub-fractional, fractional and integral), electronic controls, motion control products, gearboxes, gears, transaxles and related systems solutions.

About Kinetek
Kinetek companies operate 25 facilities in North America, Europe and Asia and hold market leading positions in the elevator/escalator, commercial floor care, material handling, golf and utility vehicle and appliance/vending market segments. Kinetek companies include Imperial Electric, Scott DC Power Products, Euclid Universal, Advanced Motors and Drives, Kinetek De Sheng/KDS, FIR Group, Kinetek Controls, Valmark Industries, Merkle-Korff Industries, and Motion Control Engineering. Learn more about Kinetek by visiting www.kinetekinc.com.