Brady Corporation Acquires Electromark Corp., a Manufacturer of Safety

    Business Editors/Energy Writers

    MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 2005--Brady Corporation (NYSE:BRC), a world leader in identification solutions announced that it has acquired Permar Systems, Inc., doing business as Electromark Corp., a manufacturer and supplier of safety and facility identification products including custom and stock signs, tags and labels. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
    Electromark, headquartered in Wolcott, NY, is a market leader in supplying identification products to the utility industry. Founded in 1970, Electromark had sales of $11 million in fiscal 2004. The company employs approximately 125 people at its 80,000 square-foot factory in Wolcott, NY. Brady plans to maintain current operations in Wolcott.
    "As the demand for electricity continues to increase, the utility market is expected to outpace the growth of many other industries that use safety and facility identification products. The acquisition of Electromark gives Brady a leadership position in facility and safety identification for this market, and provides us a broader product range and excellent channel partners. The expertise of the Electromark team and their excellent product line will enhance our ability to serve utility customers," said Matt Williamson, Vice President Brady Americas.
    "Electromark and Brady share a common culture of customer service and a focus on innovation, and we are proud and excited to be joining the Brady team," said Electromark President Blair Brewster.
    Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete identification solutions and specialty materials, with products including safety devices, labels, software, printing systems, label-application and data-collection systems, signs and precision die-cut materials for manufacturing, electrical, electronic, telecommunications and a variety of other markets. Founded in 1914, Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee and employs more than 4,000 people in operations in the United States, Europe, Asia/Pacific, Latin America and Canada. Brady's fiscal 2004 sales were approximately $671 million. More information is available on the Internet at www.bradycorp.com and www.electromark.com.

    This news release contains forward-looking information, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking information in this release involves risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, domestic and international economic conditions and growth rates; fluctuations in currency exchange rates for international currencies versus the U.S. dollar; the successful implementation of a new enterprise-resource-planning system; the ability of the company to acquire, integrate and achieve anticipated synergies from new businesses; the ability of the company to adjust its cost structure to changes in levels of sales and product mix in a timely manner; variations in the economic or political conditions in the countries in which the company does business; technology changes; and the continued availability of sources of supply. Brady cautions that forward-looking statements are not guarantees, since there are inherent difficulties in predicting future results, and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements.

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CONTACT: Brady Corporation Investors: Barb Bolens, 414-438-6940 Media: Michelle Olsen, 414-438-6967

KEYWORD: WISCONSIN INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENERGY UTILITIES MERGERS/ACQ SOURCE: Brady Corporation

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