|
For Immediate Release |
Contact: Shawn M. Harrington |
| September 7, 2004 |
(860) 644-1551 |
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GERBER SCIENTIFIC, INC. OPENS ‘ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CENTER’ NEW 27,000 SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY TO SERVE AS SPRINGBOARD CENTER ALSO TO BE LEVERAGED BY OTHER GERBER UNITS SHANGHAI – Gerber Scientific, Inc. (NYSE: GRB) today formally opened its new 27,000-square-foot Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in the Caohejing Hi-Tech Park in Shanghai, China. The Center will serve as a focal point for Gerber Scientific’s continued expansion in China and other Asian markets, starting with the company’s Gerber Technology unit. “This is an historic day for Gerber Scientific,” said Marc T. Giles, president and chief executive officer. “China’s fast-growing apparel, automotive and furniture industries represent a vital growth market for Gerber Technology. This outstanding new facility demonstratively underscores Gerber Scientific’s determination to capitalize on the significant business opportunities we see in China and other key Asian markets, for both GT and our other operating units.” James S. Arthurs, president of Gerber Technology, said, “China has long been an important market for GT. With the World Trade Organization’s elimination of trade quotas on January 1, 2005, the business opportunities for Gerber Technology will be even greater. The Advanced Technology Center will be a showcase for GT’s state-of-the-art automation systems.” GT, the primary occupant of the Center, develops and manufactures automation systems for the sewn-products and flexible-materials industries, including the apparel, automotive and furniture industries. Gerber Technology has operated in China for 25 years and is the largest supplier of automation equipment to the Chinese apparel market. China is GT’s second largest market after the U.S. “To compete in world markets, many Chinese apparel manufacturers must step up their quality, production consistency, speed of manufacture, style and efficiency,” said Arthurs. “For our customers in China, that means migrating to more automated systems. For us, it means developing systems that can help them quickly and easily make the transition from manual to automated operations.” Gerber Technology currently has 24 sales and service offices in China, serving more than 1,500 customers. The company expects to have more than 200 people in China by mid-2005, with approximately 80 employed in Shanghai. GT’s China operations will be supported by GT’s U.S. operations, which will be responsible for the design, engineering and, in some instances, the manufacturing of components for the China market. GT operations housed at the center include software testing, systems training, customer telephone support, local product development, engineering and purchasing. Gerber Scientific’s corporate supply-chain management group, which supports all Gerber units, also will be located at the center. The group will initially focus on GT, as the unit gears up to produce systems specifically targeted to the unique needs of Chinese apparel manufacturers. GT has already begun manufacturing a plain-paper plotter in China for the China market. The Infinity™ AE inkjet plotter, designed and engineered at GT’s headquarters in Tolland, Conn., is built in China through Gerber Scientific (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Such plotters are used to create patterns and to optimize fabric use in cutting operations. GT plans to launch additional locally manufactured models for the Chinese market later this year. “Looking ahead, our Advanced Technology Center is a facility that all of Gerber will be able to leverage to support successful entries into their respective markets in China,” added Giles. “In fact, in September, Gerber Coburn will open a full-size, fully functional lens production lab that will be used to demonstrate GC equipment to potential customers from China and other Asian markets.” Caohejing Hi-Tech Park is located 11 kilometers southwest of downtown Shanghai and 7 kilometers from Hongqiao International Airport. With a total area of 6 square kilometers, the Caohejing Hi-Tech Park industrial zone specializes in the development of computer hardware and software, large-scale integrated circuits and microelectronics technology, numerically controlled communication equipment, precision instruments, bioengineering, space technology, and advanced electronic technology. Gerber Scientific has three other operating units, in addition to Gerber Technology. Gerber Scientific Products develops and manufactures computerized sign-making and specialty-graphics systems, software, materials, and accessories. GSP’s integrated start-to-finish digital design, printing, and production products provide comprehensive engineered solutions to meet digital color printing and dimensional signage needs. Spandex is the world's leading supplier to the sign-making and display industry. The company specializes in the marketing, sales, distribution, and support of digital printing, cutting, routing/engraving equipment, related materials, and aluminum sign systems. Gerber Coburn provides computer-integrated lens-processing systems for the ophthalmic industry. The company designs, manufactures, and services software, equipment, and supplies used in all aspects of surfacing prescriptions in lens blanks, coating lenses, and machining lenses to fit patient frames. About Gerber Scientific, Inc. About Gerber Technology |