QUINCY, IL -- (Marketwire) -- 04/13/09 -- Gardner Denver, Inc. (NYSE: GDI) announced the
consolidation of the North American manufacturing operations of its
compressor and vacuum pumps used in OEM applications into its Monroe,
Louisiana facility. Production from the Company's Sheboygan, Wisconsin
operations will be transferred to Louisiana over the next twelve months.
The project is expected to be completed by March 31, 2010.
Mr. Barry Pennypacker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gardner
Denver, said, "Although a number of factors influenced the decision to
consolidate production in Monroe, our primary focus was to ensure the
long-term competitiveness of the business by continuing to drive cost and
inefficiencies out of the operations, while increasing our flexibility
through the implementation of the Gardner Denver Way. Reaching a decision
to close the Sheboygan operation was difficult and we deeply regret the
impact that this closure will have on our Sheboygan employees and the local
community. In the long-term, we believe this consolidation positions us
with the best business solution and is in the best interests of Gardner
Denver and its shareholders. We appreciate the effort and commitment
demonstrated by state and local government agencies, as well as the
extensive employee support received in both Wisconsin and Louisiana.
"As part of moving the operations to Monroe, the state of Louisiana,
through its Rapid Response Fund Grant, will reimburse Gardner Denver for
most of the costs incurred in relocating its equipment and personnel from
Sheboygan, provide annual payroll and sales tax rebates through its Quality
Jobs Program and facilitate employee recruitment and training through its
Louisiana FastStart Program. The City of Monroe will assist in the
construction of a new 124,000 square foot manufacturing facility adjoining
our existing manufacturing operation."
The Company currently employs approximately 366 people in Sheboygan,
including approximately 280 in manufacturing operations and related support
functions, and 76 people in Monroe.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
All of the statements in this release, other than historical facts, are
forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. As a general matter,
forward-looking statements are those focused upon anticipated events or
trends, expectations, and beliefs relating to matters that are not
historical in nature. Such forward-looking statements are subject to
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the Company's
operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict
and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. These known and
unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could cause actual results
to differ materially from those matters expressed in, anticipated by or
implied by such forward-looking statements and are set forth in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2008, and other public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Company does not undertake, and hereby disclaims, any duty
to update these forward-looking statements, although its situation and
circumstances may change in the future.
Gardner Denver, Inc., with 2008 revenues of approximately $2.0 billion, is
a leading worldwide manufacturer of screw, vane and reciprocating
compressors, liquid ring pumps and blowers for various industrial and
transportation applications, pumps used in the petroleum and industrial
market segments and other fluid transfer equipment serving chemical,
petroleum and food industries. Gardner Denver's news releases are
available by visiting the Investor Relations page on the Company's website
(www.GardnerDenver.com).
Contact:
Helen W. Cornell
Executive Vice President, Finance & CFO
(217) 228-8209