LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc

CLEVELAND, March 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LECO) today announced that it has acquired SPAWMET Sp. z.o.o., a privately-held manufacturer of stick electrode products. The Company expects that the acquisition will not have a material impact on earnings in the first year. "We are very pleased to add the SPAWMET product line and strong personnel team to Lincoln's product offering and distribution network in Europe," said John M. Stropki, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "This acquisition provides Lincoln with an excellent portfolio of stick electrode products, which will help us pursue our growth strategy for the distribution markets in Eastern Europe. Moreover, the extensive distribution network of SPAWMET will enhance Lincoln's overall market position in Poland." Headquartered near Katowice, Poland, SPAWMET's annual sales are approximately 5 million USD. Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc-welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 35 manufacturing locations, including operations, manufacturing alliances and joint ventures in 19 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric, its products and services, visit the Company's Web site at http://www.lincolnelectric.com/. The Company's expectations and beliefs concerning the future contained in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect management's current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such statements due to a variety of factors that could adversely affect the Company's operating results. The factors include, but are not limited to: the effectiveness of operating initiatives; currency exchange and interest rates; adverse outcome of pending or potential litigation; possible acquisitions; market risks and price fluctuations related to the purchase of commodities and energy; global regulatory complexity; and the possible effects of international terrorism and hostilities on the Company or its customers, suppliers and the economy in general. For additional discussion, see "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. DATASOURCE: Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. CONTACT: Roy L. Morrow of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., +1-216-383-4893, , Web site: http://www.lincolnelectric.com/

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