Baldor Acquires Poulies Maska

Baldor Electric Co.has acquired Poulies Maska Inc., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of sheaves, bushings, couplings and related mechanical power transmission components. Maska has 180 employees primarily located in Canada and a new facility in China. Maska's 2007 sales were approximately $33 million.

John McFarland, chairman and CEO of Baldor says, "We are excited to announce the addition of Maska to our line of mechanical power transmission products. Over the past five years the management team at Maska has increased sales and profits by nearly 50%. Their two automated and efficient facilities produce a large variety and some of the highest quality products available in the marketplace. Maska's sheaves and bushings complement our Dodge line with each having success in different parts of the market."

Benefits of the transaction include:

• Operating and gross margins significantly exceed Baldor's overall margins
• Baldor gains a second plant in China to support international growth
• Results in leading market share of sheaves and bushings in North America
• Accretive to Baldor's earnings by approximately $0.03 per year, excluding synergies

The transaction was funded by cash and an existing credit facility. Additional terms were not disclosed. baldor.com