LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc

Lincoln Electric to Expand Product Line and Manufacturing Capabilities in Growing Welding Gun Market CLEVELAND, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. announced today it plans to invest up to $10 million to expand its Magnum(R) welding gun product line and manufacturing capabilities in welding accessories. The investment is aimed at dramatically increasing Lincoln's market share and sales revenue in the growing worldwide welding gun market. According to John M. Stropki, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, the Company plans to enhance and expand its current product offerings and create new technologies to better meet the needs of this changing market. "Automation, robotics and other high-production welding systems are increasing demand for high-quality welding guns," said Mr. Stropki. "To meet this demand, we are planning a new facility that will incorporate the manufacture of high-technology welding gun products. We also plan to refocus the efforts of our best research, design and manufacturing engineers to this endeavor. With this investment, Lincoln will be well-positioned to increase its technological leadership within this high-value market." In addition, Lincoln will expand its existing core product line to better serve the industrial welding gun market. The Company plans to enhance its current line of Magnum(R) guns for the MIG, flux-cored and submerged arc welding markets, and to invest in new designs for both steel and aluminum welding systems. "With our global network of design, manufacturing and distribution, we will be able to create, produce and deliver a complete product line that can better serve our worldwide customers," noted Mr. Stropki. "We look forward to creating improved solutions for customers, more breadth in our product line and overall better performance." 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. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has operations, manufacturing alliances and joint ventures in 18 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; the strength and duration of the increase in U.S. demand for the Company's products; and the possible effects of international terrorism and hostilities on the Company or its customers, suppliers and the economy in general. DATASOURCE: Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. CONTACT: Roy L. Morrow of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., +1-216-383-4893, or Web site: http://www.lincolnelectric.com/

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