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Midtronics Purchases Exide Charger Division

2 March 2000

Midtronics Purchases Exide Charger Division, Enters Battery Charger Market

    WILLOWBROOK, Ill., March 1 -- Midtronics, Inc. announced
today that it has purchased the Charger Division of Exide Corporation
for an undisclosed amount.  Already considered the world's leader
in battery management technology, Midtronics adds retail and commercial
battery chargers to its superior line of battery testers, along with its new
innovative PowerLogic(TM) and inCHARGE(TM) brands of professional
charger/testers.
    Midtronics has acquired all assets of Exide's Charge Division, including
equipment, current inventory, and the North Bay, Ontario, Canada manufacturing
facility.  Midtronics will continue to manufacture chargers in North Bay,
supplying customers with Exide and NASCAR branded products.
    "The addition of this product line to our expanding line of testers and
charger/testers will allow us to grow our business at a much faster pace,"
said Steve McShane, President and CEO.  "We will now apply our unique product
development techniques and technology to the charger, so when our customers
test a battery with our highly accurate testers, they will be able to charge
the battery with an equally advanced product.  We intend to merge our unique
conductance technology with charging to create innovative charging and testing
products for our various markets."
    Using unique conductance technology, Midtronics products have been
accepted throughout the world as the most accurate method for determining true
battery condition.  All Midtronics battery testers and monitoring equipment
utilize conductance technology that has been protected by numerous patents in
North America, Europe and Asia.
    Midtronics, the recognized leader in battery management technology, has
revolutionized the battery testing industry with products using its unique,
patented conductance technology.  Midtronics' equipment is designed to be safe
and simple to use, while providing an accurate diagnosis in seconds.
Headquartered in Willowbrook, Ill., Midtronics is completely focused on
research and development of the latest battery testing and charging technology
available.  Through its subsidiary, Midtronics b.v. in the Netherlands, and a
network of quality distributors located worldwide, Midtronics serves the
following industries:  automotive, telecommunications, power/utility,
railroad, and the military.  Along with ISO 9001 certification, Midtronics
also has achieved QS 9000 certification.
    For more information, contact Joyce Nielsen, Marketing Communications
Manager, Midtronics, Inc., 7000 Monroe Street, Willowbrook, Ill. 60521.
Telephone 630-323-2800.  Fax 630-323-2844.  E-mail: jnielsen@midtronics.com .