Effective April 1, 2000, E-mail at Crisplant Inc. will change. Our current e-mail address, Crisplant.com will be replaced by Crisplantinc.com. Senders will be notified with this address change.

Press Releases:

April 15, 2000
Crisplant Joins dcVelocitytm Consortium

April 10, 2000
New S3000e Unveiled at NA2000

Feb. 21, 2000
New Compact Sorter facilitates conducting e-commerce

Feb. 9, 2000
fki-Logistex adds Pinnacle Automation and SNE Systems as member companies

Jan. 21, 2000
FKI PLC announces acquisition of SNE Systems Inc. for an initial consideration of $25.0 million (£15.2 million)

Jan. 3, 2000
John Kelly named new President of Crisplant Inc.

Articles of Interest:

Featured Articles on Crisplant Installations

Modern Material Handling-
Disney, Parcel Direct, Patagonia, Eddie Bauer/Spiegel, Xerox, Nike and more!

Crisplant is pleased to announce that we have now joined a consortium of top material handling companies and the foremost supply chain execution software company to supply rapidly deployed of world class system solutions to e-commerce and 3^rd party fulfillment companies

This newly formed team of industry professionals provides a new channel for Crisplant to market products and services to the fast paced e-commerce and third party fulfillment marketplace.

For more information, please click on dcVelocity.com or contact Mike Woolridge at 678.327.2000

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New S3000e Unveiled at NA2000

At NA-2000 in Detroit, Crisplant took the wraps off for the first time, the next generation of sortation equipment- the S3000 series, an upgrade to the very popular S2000 series of sorters. A working pre-production model was displayed in the fki-Logistex booth. "The S3000 series of sorters, simply put, sets new standards for performance, flexibility and reliability in high-speed sorting, much like the S2000 did when it was introduced in 1991." said Dave Halker, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. Halker continued, "We felt the timing was right as the industry leader to make another leap forward."

Halker went on to highlight the attributes of the new S3000^e :

• The S3000^e model in particular, features an innovative, electronically-powered tilting mechanism that is powered by its own servodrive and can be programmed to tilt between 5 and 45 degrees.

• The new S3000^e will move parcels at speeds up to 3 meters per second. Products remain stable on the trays at these higher speeds due to the fact that the trays can now be programmed to bank through the corners.This allows for smooth handling for a wide variety of items at very high performance levels. With this kind of versatility, distributors can better handle high friction items such as plastics that tend to stick to trays at low trajectory angles, to fragile items that need to be discharged very gently.

• A new, open architecture control system that employs non-proprietary control hardware will also be part of the S3000 series product offering.

• Another Patent Pending innovation for the S3000^e model is the ability to use a Palm Pilot or other PDA’s to upload and download instructions to any tilting device along the system. These features facilitates easy troubleshooting and maintenance.

• For companies that have existing S2000 single-tray sorters, tilting devices can be retrofitted with the new servo-controlled S3000^e units along with the latest Crisplant control system.

• The S3000^e provides for a quieter workplace, as it operates at 65dba, 10 decibels lower than earlier models.

• The S3000^e model has far less moving parts making the system easier to maintain. Gone are the mechanical wedges, tilt-arms and re-alignment rails. Proprietary ISD’s are replaced with an IR interface, same as deployed on the S3000^cb, the Crossbelt Sorter.

Full-scale production for the S3000^e model commences May 1, 2000 with first deliveries available for fall 2000 delivery.

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You can see the new Compact Sorter in full activity at Crisplant's stand B28 in Hall 24 at the Hannover Fair, 20-25 March 2000. The Over/Under configuration will be demonstrated featuring some very unique chutes designed especially to address e-commerce applications. Experts from Crisplant a/s will be ready with further information.

Click here for tickets and Information:
(http://www.hannovermesse.de/generell/preis/_4/X008-25_e.html)

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• Material Handling/Supply Chain Leaders, Alvey Systems, Buschman, Real Time Solutions, White Systems and SNE Systems Partner with Crisplant, IGC and Mathews Conveyor

As part of its mission to act as a single-source material handling provider that addresses the evolving needs of e-commerce driven businesses, FKI Logistex of Danville, KY, the Material Handling Systems Group of FKI plc of Halifax, United Kingdom, has added a material handling powerhouse and a leading software control systems integrator to its group: Pinnacle Automation, Inc. and SNE Systems.

Pinnacle is a holding company based in the US whose subsidiaries include: Alvey Systems, Inc. of St. Louis, MO; The Buschman Co. of West Chester, OH; Real Time Solutions, Inc. of Emeryville, CA; and White Systems, Inc. of Kenilworth, NJ. Pinnacle, through these operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of supply chain solutions, including automated material handling systems, warehouse management systems and other e-commerce back-end solutions. New orders for e-commerce fulfillment systems have led to a dramatic increase in Pinnacle's sales growth. SNE Systems, a software control systems integrator that operates exclusively within the material handling industry, has particular experience in designing and implementing control systems for high-speed sortation equipment. The company, which is located in Louisville, KY, also has leading edge technological knowledge in the handling of parcels, packages, baggage, pallets and cartons, as well as automated storage and retrieval systems.

Pinnacle and SNE join several existing FKI Logistex member companies: Mathews Conveyor of Danville, KY; CMP Corporation of Mansfield, OH; Industry General Corporation (IGC), and Davco of Memphis, TN; Crisplant Inc. of Frederick, MD; and Crisplant a/s of Aarhus, Denmark.

David Martin, president of FKI Logistex, commented on the recent acquisition of Pinnacle: "The addition of Pinnacle and SNE as member companies establishes FKI Logistex as a strong player in the e-commerce fulfillment system arena. Because we can meet all material handling needs, from design to installation, FKI Logistex is also considered a single-source material handling supplier."

Alvey Systems, Inc. is a supplier and integrator of materials flow and information flow systems. The Buschman Company is a major manufacturer of computer-integrated conveying systems for warehousing and distribution applications. Real Time Solutions, Inc. provides the leading order fulfillment solutions, including EASYpick*, pick to light, and put to light systems. White Systems, Inc. designs, develops, implements and services automated solutions for: staging, sequencing, storing and retrieving.

Mathews Conveyor designs and manufactures complete material handling systems that integrate conveyors, sorters, controls and custom equipment. CMP Corporation is a leading supplier to rubber and tire manufacturers. IGC, together with is subsidiaries, DAVCO and Allstates Fabricating Co., specializes in the design, build and installation of material handling systems for the overnight parcels and package industry. With over 600 installed high-speed sorting systems worldwide, Crisplant Inc. is the leading provider of advanced sortation systems.

For additional information: call 1-800-MATHEWS, extension 600 or send an e-mail message to mathews@mathewsconveyor.com. # # #

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Crisplant Inc. of Frederick, MD, a leading manufacturer of high speed sortation systems, has named John Kelly as president. Crisplant Inc. is a division of FKI Logistex, a new group that has been formed within the Material Handling Group of FKI plc of Halifax, United Kingdom. FKI Logistex is comprised of Mathews Conveyor in Danville, KY; CMP Corporation in Mansfield, OH; Industry General Corporation (IGC), and Davco in Memphis, TN; Crisplant a/s in Aarhus, Denmark; and Crisplant Inc. in Frederick, MD.

Kelly will be responsible for directing all Crisplant Inc. operations. He will focus much of his efforts on positioning the company as the supplier of choice for high speed sortation. Kelly has over 15 years of corporate experience with FKI plc. Most recently, he served as controller for Mathews Conveyor in Danville, KY.

"I'm excited about working with individuals who are extremely enthusiastic and take great pride in the product they make," said Kelly. "I look forward to helping a leading provider of sortation equipment continue to develop superior products."

According to Kelly, Crisplant will work closely with the other divisions of FKI Logistex from a total capabilities standpoint, but will also maintain individuality to meet customers needs.

Kelly received a B.S. in accounting from the University of Connecticut. Kelly and his wife Sheila have four children: Jackson, 8; Olivia, 7; Hannah, 4; and Silas, 2.

Crisplant Inc, a member company of FKI Logistex, manufactures high speed sorting systems which are sold to airports, postal services and mail order companies, as well as to retail and production companies. FKI Logistex was formed in 1999 as a complete single-source material handling provider to address the evolving needs of e-commerce driven businesses.

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• FKI acquires SNE—a control systems integrator for the material handling industry
• Strengthens FKI Logistex's software systems capability
• A further step in focusing FKI toward high growth opportunities  

FKI plc ("FKI") today announces that is has acquired SNE Systems Inc ("SNE") for an initial cash/debt free consideration of $25.0m (15.2m) in cash. In addition, FKI will, assuming certain future performance targets are met, pay up to a further $15.0m (9.1m) over the next five years. FKI plans to integrate SNE within its rapidly growing supply chain solutions division, FKI Logistex.

SNE is a software control systems integrator operating exclusively within the material handling industry. SNE has particular experience in designing and implementing control systems for high-speed sortation equipment. The company also has leading edge technological knowledge in the handling of parcels, packages, baggage, pallets and cartons, as well as automated storage and retrieval systems. It has blue-chip customers in the courier postal market, the baggage handling segment and a long list of distribution warehousing clients.

SNE has grown rapidly since its foundation in 1985 and now employs over 100 people in Louisville, Kentucky, of whom over 90 software engineers.

While FKI Logistex's present businesses have capabilities within the software controls area, SNE will enable the Group to increase both its capacity and capability in the provision of control systems, which is the area of highest growth in the material handling industry.

In the year to 31 December 1998, SNE had unaudited sales of $10.8m (6.6m) and income from operations of $3.2m (1.9m). In the nine months to 30 September 1999, sales had already reached $10.7m (6.5m) and income from operations was $3.1m (6.5m) and income from operations was $3.1m (1.9m). The company has a very strong order book.

Bob Beeston, Chief Executive of FKI commented:

"FKI Logistex companies have worked closely with SNE and have been consistently impressed with its technical capabilities. SNE has an excellent reputation within the industry. This acquisition significantly increases our capacity in the design of software controls, now the critical element in any Logistex system.

Over the last nine months we have assembled a powerful combination of businesses in FKI Logistex; each are technical leaders in their chosen fields. We are confident that the Group has a very exciting future in these growth markets as e-commerce stimulates demand across the globe.”

ENDS

Enquiries:

FKI plc Tel: 01422 330 267

Bob Beeston, Chief Executive

Steven Jones, Director Corporate Planning

Brunswick Group Tel: 0171 404 5959

James Garthwaite

Simon Sporborg

NOTES TO EDITORS

The SNE acquisition is the fourth acquisition FKI has made in the logistics and sortation segment of the Materials Handling Sector in the last nine months

• FKI Logistex comprises Mathews Conveyors, Pinnacle, Crisplant Industries and Industry General Corporation
• On 15 December 1999 FKI agreed to acquire Pinnacle Automation for $368 million (228.6 million). Pinnacle develops, implements and supports integrated material flow technology solutions for the complex material handling and supply chain needs of a wide array of industries. Pinnacle is a leading provider of automated material handling solutions for e-commerce fulfilment systems.
• On 27 May 1999 FKI agreed to acquire Industry General Corporation for $52.0 million (32.1 million). Industry General Corporation specialises in the design, build and installation of material handling systems for the overnight parcels and packages business.
• On 24 May 1999 FKI agreed to acquire Crisplant Industries, based in Denmark, for DKr 2,103.8 million (186.5 million). Crisplant is a manufacturer of high-speed sortation systems that are sold to airports, postal services and mail order companies, as well as retail and production companies.

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