For Immediate Release

Contact:  Debbie Marconi

October 5, 2004

(860) 871-3700

 

Gerber Scientific's Apparel and Flexible Materials Segment Receives
U.S. Export Achievement Award

SOUTH WINDSOR , CT -- James C. Leonard III, Deputy Assistant Secretary from the U.S. Department of Commerce, today presented Gerber Scientific's Apparel and Flexible Materials Unit, Gerber Technology, with the 2004 United States Department of Commerce Export Achievement Certificate at a ceremony at the business unit’s world headquarters in Tolland, Connecticut. Fewer than 10 certificates are awarded annually to companies throughout the United States.

The Export Achievement Certificate is presented to companies in which exports increase consistently year over year and account for a significant portion of revenue. Last fiscal year Gerber Technology generated 75 percent of its product revenue from sales to companies outside the United States.

Also in attendance for the ceremony were Carl Jacobsen and Sharon Bongiovanni, Director and International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bob Stewart, Chairman of Tolland’s Economic Development Commission and Timothy Tieperman, Tolland Town Manager.

James Leonard said, “I was fortunate to be able to participate in the grand opening of Gerber Technology’s Advanced Technology Center in Shanghai, China last month. This company understands the international market place. It has been successful in remaining in the United States but continuing to grow its customer base and market share in foreign countries.”

During the grand opening in Shanghai Gerber Technology announced the launch of its second product, an inkjet plotter, manufactured in China but designed and engineered in Connecticut.

Gerber Technology’s world headquarters is located in Tolland, Connecticut, U.S.A. with regional offices, agents and distributors in 117 countries. The company has a highly developed distribution channel with 23 sales and service offices in China alone. The company employs more than 800 individuals directly and over 500 indirectly through its worldwide sales and support network of agents and distributors.

Sam Simpson, Vice President of Global Sales for Gerber Technology, said, “Gerber Technology was an exporter of products almost from our initial days in business; the third system we manufactured was sold to the Australian Government Clothing Factory for the manufacture of military uniforms. During our 37 years of operation we have sold $5 billion worth of products and services: 58 percent of which has been utilized outside of the United States.”

Gerber Technology, a business unit of $517 million Gerber Scientific, provides product data management and computer-aided design software and computer-aided manufacturing solutions, including automated material spreading and cutting systems, to manufacturers and retailers in the apparel, furniture, transportation interiors, composites and industrial fabrics industries.


About Gerber Technology

Gerber Technology (www.gerbertechnology.com), a business unit of $517 million corporation Gerber Scientific, Inc., develops and manufactures the world's leading brands of integrated software and hardware automation systems for manufacturers and retailers in the sewn products and flexible materials industries. These systems automate and significantly improve the efficiency of information management, product design and development, pre-production, and production processes. The company offers specialized solutions to a variety of end-user markets including apparel, transportation interiors, furniture, composites and industrial fabrics. Gerber Technology’s world headquarters are located in Tolland, Connecticut, U.S.A. with regional offices, agents and distributors in 117 countries serving a total of over 15,000 customers through seven Customer Solutions Centers on six continents. The company engineers and manufactures its products in various locations in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Established in 1968, Gerber Technology is one of four businesses of Gerber Scientific, Inc. of South Windsor, Connecticut.

About Gerber Scientific, Inc.
Gerber Scientific, Inc. (http://www.gerberscientific.com) is the world's leading supplier of sophisticated automated manufacturing systems for sign making and specialty graphics, apparel and flexible materials, and ophthalmic lens processing. Headquartered in South Windsor, Connecticut, the company operates through four businesses: Gerber Scientific Products and Spandex Ltd., Gerber Technology, and Gerber Coburn.

Safe Harbor Statement:
In addition to the historical information contained herein, there are matters discussed that are considered to be "forward-looking statements." The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, and services, that could significantly affect results in the future. For a discussion of other risk factors relating to the Company's business, see the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2004 and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date of this release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release.