KENT, Wash. and DAYTON, Ohio, June 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Flow International Corporation (Nasdaq: FLOW), http://www.flowcorp.com, the world's
leading supplier of ultrahigh-pressure waterjet products, and Motoman Inc.
(http://www.motoman.com), a western hemisphere leader in robotic automation and a
wholly owned subsidiary of Yaskawa Electric Corporation (NIKKEI: 65066506
http://www.yaskawa.co.jp) -- the world's leading manufacturer of industrial robots,
today announced they are expanding their relationship to deliver standard,
pre-engineered robotic waterjet cutting solutions, called WaterWorlds(TM).
The relationship between Flow and Motoman has already generated
installations of more than 1,000 Motoman robots in waterjet cutting systems
around the world during the past 15 years. The majority of these waterjet
cutting systems are composed of two or more Motoman robots, taking advantage
of Motoman's industry-leading ability to control up to four robots with a
single controller and Flow's market leading ultrahigh-pressure water pumps and
cutting technology to offer unmatched productivity and return on investment.
Motoman first pioneered the concept of standard pre-engineered robotic
solutions when they introduced the ArcWorld(R) product line in 1990, six
complete solutions designed to meet the majority of customers' arc-welding
needs at a performance/price ratio unmatched in the industry. Now there are
more than 3,000 Motoman "World" solutions installed, covering the majority of
robot applications and totaling over 40 different standard products.
Mr. Craig Jennings, Motoman's President, had this to say, "Our ability to
deliver industry leading 'World' solutions is one of the major contributors to
our over 25% compounded growth these past 15 years. Flow Robotics, a division
of Flow International, headquartered in Wixom, Michigan, has been Motoman's
number one integrator for the past 13 years due to their ability to design and
build solutions that deliver outstanding performance and value to our mutual
robotic waterjet customers. The WaterWorld product line will strengthen the
relationship between Flow International and Motoman and allow us to deliver
even more performance and value to existing and potential global waterjet
customers."
Stephen Light, Chief Executive Officer of Flow International, noted, "As
part of the strategic plan we began implementing two years ago, we have
focused Flow's research and development investment on enhancing our waterjet
products to deliver greater efficiency, productivity, and reliability to our
customers with the lowest life-cycle cost. We are implementing the next phase
of Flow's strategic plan by teaming with the world leader in robotics to
deliver standard, pre-engineered WaterWorlds made by Motoman and waterjet
delivery systems and turnkey process solutions delivered by Flow. The
alliance between Flow and Motoman will deliver even greater performance and
value to our waterjet customers."
WaterWorlds will be produced in Motoman's production facility in Troy,
Ohio and will be sold by both Motoman's direct sales team and Flow's extensive
global sales network. Flow will continue to offer its custom and turnkey
robotic waterjet cutting solutions employing its waterjet pumps and Motoman
robotics. In order to re-align resources with this new strategic direction,
Flow's custom robotic waterjet cutting system manufacturing will be relocated
from Wixom, Michigan to Burlington, Ontario.
Founded in 1989, Motoman is currently the second largest robotics company
in North and South America, with more than 22,500 robot installations to date.
Motoman's product line includes more than 175 robot models, with payloads from
3 kg (6.6 lbs.) to 500 kg (1,102 lbs.) and boasts more than 40 fully
integrated, standard pre-engineered "World" solutions that include robots,
process equipment, and safety equipment. For more information on Motoman
products and services, visit the corporate website at http://www.motoman.com, call
937-847-6200, or write to Motoman Inc., 805 Liberty Lane, West Carrollton,
Ohio, USA 45449.
Flow is the world's leading developer and manufacturer of ultrahigh-
pressure (UHP) waterjet technology for cutting, cleaning, and food-safety
applications, as well as isostatic and flexform presses. Flow provides total
system solutions for various industries, including automotive, aerospace,
paper, job shop, surface preparation, and food production. For more
information, visit http://www.flowcorp.com, or write to Flow International
Corporation, 23500 64th Avenue South, Kent, Washington, USA 98032.
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to future
events or future financial performance that involve risks and uncertainties.
The words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," variations of such
words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements but their
absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. These
statements are only predictions and actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated in these statements based on a number of risk factors,
including those set forth in the December 20, 2004 Flow International
Corporation Form 10-K/A Report filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without
limitation, that WaterWorlds will offer unmatched productivity and return on
investment, that the relationship between Flow and Motoman will allow them to
deliver more performance and value to existing and potential customers, the
places where WaterWorlds will be produced, the way they will be sold and that
Flow's custom robotic system manufacturing will be moved. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that
speak only as of the date of this announcement.
CONTACT: Sally Fairchild
937-847-3202
Gus Politis
905-681-8576
SOURCE Flow International Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.flowcorp.com
CONTACT:
Sally Fairchild, +1-937-847-3202, or Gus
Politis, +1-905-681-8576
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