Schroeder to Head New Business Development for Stopol; Former Epco President to Help Drive Solon Company's Growth Strategy

SOLON, Ohio--Feb. 1, 20066, 2006--Stopol, Inc. -- a leader in managing auctions and the acquisition and sale of production equipment, parts, businesses, divisions, product lines and manufacturing licenses in the plastics industry -- has hired former Epco Machinery LLC president Steve Schroeder to spearhead and manage its aggressive growth strategy.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the plastics industry, Schroeder will serve as Stopol's Vice President of New Business Development. In this role, he will drive and direct many of Stopol's new growth initiatives and strategies. The plastics industry veteran also will help the Solon company expand its offerings while identifying and developing new business opportunities.

"Stopol is a rapidly growing company that has flourished by quickly adapting and responding to the needs of a plastics industry that has changed dramatically over the last three years," Schroeder said. "I want to continue this trend by helping Stopol expand its existing services and develop the new ones the industry needs to stay viable. With its current plan for the future just taking hold, Stopol's potential and long-term prospects for growth are substantial."

In recent months, Stopol has announced several growth initiatives, including a partnership with MAAC Machinery to manufacture the industry's fastest router and a $1 million global expansion project to increase its visibility and presence in Latin America.

Schroeder left Epco to join Stopol after working 30 years with the Fremont, Ohio-based company - serving the last 10 years as Epco's president. Before taking over for his father as president, Schroeder worked in a variety of other capacities for Epco, primarily in the areas of marketing, operations, production and sales. His father Ronald Schroeder co-founded Epco in 1959 and served as its president until 1996.

Schroeder - who has a degree in business administration from Morraine Valley College (Palos Hills, Ill.) - is widely respected and well known throughout the plastics industry for his technical articles, public speaking and involvement in industry groups such as the Society of Plastics Engineers and the Society of Mechanic Engineers.

"Steve brings an unbelievable amount of plastics industry experience, expertise talent and business acumen to Stopol," said Stopol CEO Neil Kruschke Jr. "He is the perfect person to help lead our aggressive growth strategy and we are fortunate to have him aboard."

About Stopol, Inc.

Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, privately held Stopol is the leader in arranging the acquisition and sale of manufacturing equipment, parts, businesses, divisions, product lines and manufacturing licenses in the plastics industry. With its vast inventory and technical expertise, Stopol not only helps plastics manufacturers stay on stream but allows them to quickly add capacity and capabilities. Well known for its live auctions, Stopol further enhanced its reputation as an industry innovator in 2004 when it launched www.stopolauctions.com, an interactive, online marketplace that allows members to buy and sell new and used plastics equipment and other assets. Regarded as a vital industry resource, Stopol uses its unparalleled market insight and extensive network of contacts to connect buyers and sellers, and provide appraisal and liquidation services. Stopol also offers merger and acquisition consulting expertise through its Business Services division.