Baldor Electric Company Announces Management Promotions

FORT SMITH, Ark., Jan. 29, 2007 -- Baldor Electric Company markets, designs, and manufactures industrial electric motors, drives, and generators and is based in Fort Smith, Arkansas. In anticipation of the upcoming acquisition of the Reliance Electric business, Baldor announces the following management promotions approved by the Board of Directors and effective February 1, 2007.

Ron Tucker...............President and Chief Operating Officer

Ron has been with Baldor Electric Company for over 23 years and has been an officer since 1997. He has held many management positions with the Company, including Treasurer and Director of Audit Services. For an interim period of time, Ron will retain his current responsibilities as CFO and Secretary.

  Michael Cinquemani.......Executive Vice President -- Dodge and
                           International Sales

Michael has been with Reliance Electric Company for over 20 years, most recently as the Vice President -- Global Sales. During this time, his positions have included General AC Motor Product Manager, Plant Manager and Manager Inside Sales. In his new role, Michael will oversee Dodge and all international sales and operations.

Randy Colip..............Executive Vice President -- Sales

For the past 10 years, Randy has been an officer of Baldor, serving most recently as the Vice President -- Sales. During his 18 years with Baldor, he has also had experience as the Company's National Sales Manager and as a Product Specialist. With this promotion, Randy will be responsible for the domestic Sales organization for all Baldor and Reliance motor products.

Gene Hagedorn............Executive Vice President -- Materials

Gene has been the Vice President -- Materials for Baldor since 1994. He has been with Baldor since 1974, and during that time he held several positions in Finance, Internal Audit and Materials. Gene will now be responsible for all Materials and logistics needs of Baldor Electric Company.

Ed Ralston...............Executive Vice President -- Business Integration

Ed has been with Baldor since 1995, and was most recently Baldor's Vice President -- Finance and Treasurer. Ed has been an officer since 2003 and was previously Director of Audit Services. In his new role, Ed will lead the Integration Team established for the acquisition of the Reliance Electric business.

Randy Waltman............Executive Vice President -- Operations

Randy has been an officer of Baldor for over 10 years, most recently serving as our Vice President -- Operations. He has been with Baldor for over 22 years, and during that time he has held several positions including Manager of Industrial Engineering and Plant Manager. In his new position, Randy will oversee the manufacturing and quality of all Baldor and Reliance motors.

Jason Green..............Vice President -- Human Resources

Jason recently joined Baldor as the Director of Human Resources. Jason has an extensive background in Human Resources Management, and comes to Baldor after 15 years with a Midwest manufacturing company. We are pleased to have him as a new officer of Baldor.

Amy Schwan-Burdick.......Vice President -- Materials

Amy has been with Reliance Electric Company since 2003, and was most recently their Director of Supply Chain Management. Amy has over 10 years of experience in supply chain management, and she will continue to lead the materials function at Dodge and Reliance.

Mark Shackelford.........Vice President -- Information Services

Mark has been with Baldor for over 25 years, most recently as the Director of Information Services. Mark has also been the Company's Electronics Purchasing Manager and Manager of Systems and Operations. In his new position, he will be responsible for integrating the systems of our combined businesses.