27 October 2005

The new facility is being built to accommodate the growing demand from Smiths' customers and an increased need for precision manufactured turbine engine components for all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufacturers.

"We are pleased to grow our business in North Carolina which offers a skilled and competitive work force with excellent community college training programs" said Dr. Peter Wright, President of Smiths Aerospace Components. "This new facility will be in close proximity to our existing site in Asheville and provides for the consistent flow of processes and best practices between the two operations." Smiths Aerospace Components - Asheville has earned a global reputation for its excellence in machining complex aircraft engine components and has grown revenue four fold during the past 10 years.

The new 128,000 square foot facility is located at 4 The Professional Drive in West Jefferson and will support employees who manufacture precision engine components, with first shipments anticipated in February 2006.

Smiths Aerospace, a part of Smiths Group plc, is a leading transatlantic aerospace systems and equipment company, with more than 10,000 employees and $2 billion revenues globally. The company holds key positions in the supply chains of all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufacturers and is a world-leader in electrical power, digital and mechanical systems, engine components and Systems Customer Services. www.geaviationsystems.com

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