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Flow International Completes Acquisition of ABB Pressure Systems AB of Sweden

1 April 1999

Flow International Completes Acquisition of ABB Pressure Systems AB of Sweden
    KENT, Wash. and VASTERAS, Sweden, April 1 -- Flow
International Corporation and Asea Brown Boveri AB (ABB)
(Stockholm: ABBa) , today announced Flow has completed the
acquisition of ABB Pressure Systems AB.  ABB Pressure Systems, (Pressure
Systems) based in Vasteras, Sweden, was a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABB AB of
Stockholm, Sweden.  Pressure Systems is the leading supplier of large, bulk
ultrahigh-pressure systems to the food industry and the world leader in
isostatic press systems for the automotive and aerospace market.
    "We are delighted to welcome our newest associates from Pressure Systems
to our company and look forward to working together to continue to advance
ultrahigh-pressure technology to the food, aerospace and automotive markets,"
said Ronald W. Tarrant, Chairman, President and CEO of Flow.  "Based on
current backlog, Pressure Systems is expected to add approximately $20 million
to our revenues in fiscal 2000, which begins May 1, 1999.  In addition, we
expect that the acquisition will be accretive to earnings in fiscal 2000."
    Flow International Corporation is the world leader in the development and
manufacture of ultrahigh-pressure waterjet technology for advanced commercial
application, and a leading provider of robotics and assembly equipment.  Flow
provides technologically advanced, environmentally-sound solutions to the
manufacturing and surface preparation cleaning markets.
    Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995:  Statements in this news release looking forward in time involve
risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with acquisitions, product
demand, market acceptance risk, product introduction delays, international
regulatory changes, and other risk factors detailed the Company's Securities
and Exchange Commission filings.
    NOTE:  This company is a client of Len Cereghino & Co. Corporate Investor
Relations.  Flow International's press releases are availabe at no charge
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