SP Industries Strengthens Glass Products Division Through Alliance

Wilmad/LabGlass -- an SP Industries Brandes (Buena, NJ) has formed a strategic alliance with Xinweir Glass Works (Tianjin, China) that will enable SP's glass products group to penetrate the China and the Pacific Rim markets, and will also extend the group's capabilities and product lines. In addition, SP has initiated acquisition discussions with Xinweir.

In a company press release, Wilmad/LabGlass -- an SP Industries Brandes president and CEO John W. Partridge described the role Xinweir Glass will play in Wilmad/LabGlass -- an SP Industries Brandes operations:

"First, we expect to form Wilmad/LabGlass -- an SP Industries Brandes in China and then move the assets of Xinweir Glass into it. Second, we plan to continue sales of the existing product line to the academic market through Kemtech America, its US affiliate. Third, we plan to expand the sales and marketing activities of Xinweir Glass throughout Asia, using our existing agents in that area. Fourth, we will include selected products from our China factory within our Lab Glass product line, utilizing either Pyrex or Schott tubing in the manufacturing process. Finally, we intend to utilize Wilmad/LabGlass -- an SP Industries Brandes-China as the headquarters of our corporate Pacific Rim operations."

Partridge also believes that the Xinweir deal will lead to a gradual increase in production and employment in the company's U.S. operations.

Wilmad/LabGlass -- an SP Industries Brandes Inc., created in December 1996, is a supplier of products for the laboratory, scientific, and industrial markets. The company's scientific glass products group is composed of <%=company%>, Lab Glass-Tennessee, Lurex, and Reliance Glass.

For more information: Wilmad/LabGlass -- an SP Industries Brandes Inc., 1002 Harding Hwy., POB 688 Buena, NJ 08310. Tel: 856-697-4700. Fax: 856-697-0536.

Edited by Jim Pomager