FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Elizabeth Companies Celebrates 50 Years of Growth!

McKeesport, PA, Jan. 1, 2004 - The Elizabeth Companies, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tooling, presses and parts to the pharmaceutical industry, are proud to announce their 50th year in business.

Started by Mel Peterson in Elizabeth, PA, in 1954 as Elizabeth Carbide Die Co., Inc., the multi-national manufacturing company remains family owned and operated, with the 3rd generation actively involved in day to day activities.

"Elizabeth Carbide began as a six person shop in a garage in Elizabeth, PA, in 1954," said Richard A. Pagliari; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, “My father-in-law Mel Peterson insisted on providing customers with the best product and service possible. The 50th anniversary is testament to our continued dedication to this core value!"

Elizabeth Carbide initially manufactured punches and dies for industrial rotary tableting presses. In the early 60’s, they pioneered the use of carbide tipped punches and carbide lined dies for the pharmaceutical industry. Their expertise in tableting tooling led to an expansion into Hata tablet presses (Elizabeth-Hata International). Recently, the Company expanded its manufacturing capacity by acquiring EPMO of France (Elizabeth-EPMO) and Scheu & Kniss of Louisville, Kentucky (Elizabeth-Scheu & Kniss).

Elizabeth-EPMO brought the company a European manufacturing base for rotary press tooling along with expertise in the manufacturing of blister packaging tooling. Since the acquisition, Elizabeth-EPMO has increased its staff and nearly doubled its plant size to 33,000 square feet. Elizabeth-Scheu & Kniss complemented The Elizabeth Companies product offerings by adding new turrets, replacement parts and rebuild services for rotary presses.

The Elizabeth Companies growth has focused on its four primary product lines: Rotary Press Tooling, Blister Packaging Tooling, Hata Presses and Accessories, and Turrets, Parts and Rebuild Services. New products coming out this year include a Hata interchangeable turret press, a “washable/containment” press, redesigned press controls, and a new Vision tablet tester. In addition there will be a new high quality OEM replacement turret with stand available from the Elizabeth-Scheu & Kniss plant.

ABOUT THE ELIZABETH COMPANIES
Celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, The Elizabeth Companies (www.eliz.com) provide quality tooling, presses and parts primarily to the pharmaceutical and a variety of other industries. They use their philosophy of providing personal service combined with technological expertise and multiple manufacturing sites in the USA and Europe to efficiently provide top quality products with unequaled service. The Elizabeth Companies include: Elizabeth Carbide Die Co., Inc., Elizabeth Carbide of North Carolina, Elizabeth Carbide Components, Elizabeth Carbide of Europe, Elizabeth-Hata International, Elizabeth-Hata Japan Ltd., Elizabeth-EPMO, Elizabeth-Scheu & Kniss, and Elizabeth Carbide de Puerto Rico.

Contact: Larry D. Landini
Vice President- Sales and Marketing
The Elizabeth Companies
Phone: 412.751.3000
Email: larryl@eliz.com

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