Thermometrics Global Business and Semitec Form Strategic Alliance

    EDISON, N.J.--Jan. 10, 2002--Thermometrics Global Business, a division of GE Industrial Systems and one of the world's leading producers of temperature measurement and sensing solutions, and Ishizuka Electronics Corp. (Semitec), a Japanese corporation, have entered into a strategic sourcing and sales alliance under which each party will purchase and distribute various temperature sensing devices and components manufactured by the other.
    "Thermometrics chose Semitec for this alliance because of the high quality and comprehensive design of its products and Semitec's desire to purchase and sell some of our products on a broader basis than we currently do today," said John Carter, the president of GE -Thermometrics. "The alliance will give more global customers access to both parties' product offerings."
    Under the alliance, some products currently manufactured by Semitec may be manufactured by Thermometrics facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, China, Korea and India. Additionally, some Thermometrics products may be manufactured by Ishizuka facilities in Japan, the Philippines, Korea and China.
    Thermometrics Global Business was acquired by GE Industrial Systems in November, 2001. The company has more than 60 years of experience manufacturing temperature-sensing devices, and is one of the world's largest producers of thermistors (thermally sensitive resistors that exhibit changes in electrical resistance with changes in temperature) for automotive, electronics, industrial and telecommunications applications.
    The company has operations in St. Marys, PA; Mt. Jewett, PA; Edison, NJ; Taunton, UK; Puerto Rico; Mexico; Germany; India; Japan; China, and Korea.
    Semitec, founded in 1958, has extensive experience in the manufacture of precision thermistors for the office automation, telecom and industrial markets. The company has manufacturing locations in Japan, Philippines, Korea and China.
    GE Industrial Systems is a global leader in manufacturing products used to distribute, protect and control electrical power and equipment, and supplying product and service solutions for commercial, industrial, residential and utility applications. GE Industrial Systems is one of GE's major businesses. GE is the world's largest diversified technology, manufacturing and services company with a commitment to achieving worldwide leadership. For more information, visit the website at www.Geindustrial.com.