SIMKAR Opens SIMKAR West, a New West Coast Manufacturing and Distribution Facility
 

Las Vegas, Nevada—December 13, 2001 -- SIMKAR Corporation, a leading manufacturer of fluorescent fixtures for commercial, industrial and residential use, announces the opening of a 40,000-square-foot assembly and distribution facility here to expedite delivery to western U.S. customers.
 

"Although we have had sales representation in the western states for a number of years, this new operation will serve as the strategic cornerstone for broadening our customer base west of the Mississippi," according to William Eagle, President and CEO of the Philadelphia, PA-based company. "From Las Vegas, we will ship product more quickly, efficiently and economically to electrical customers west of Denver, from Seattle down to Dallas.
 

"At SIMKAR, we have always taken great pride in our service capability. On the eve of our 50th anniversary next year, the company is only strengthening that position with this new plant," added Eagle.
 

With four receiving bays and an equal number of shipping bays, the facility has two lines for the assembly of a wide range of fluorescent products—including troffers, parabolics, strips, and wraps. To accommodate specific demand out West, the plant will also assemble products requiring voltage variations and specialty ballasts. On balance, however, the Las Vegas operation will mirror the operation of its larger, sister Philadelphia plant.
 

"We expect to dramatically decrease delivery time to West Coast customers from an average of more than five days down to two days," stated Kerry Stephenson, Vice President of Operations. "We are forecasting a 20-percent growth in sales from this operation within one year, based on shipments to hundreds of destinations. In three years, we expect to double our sales out of this facility."
 

Located about a quarter mile off the southern end of "The Strip" near the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, the new SIMKAR plant is adjacent to Kalco Lighting, a wholly owned subsidiary of SIMKAR. Kalco manufactures upscale decorative lighting, including chandeliers and sconces, in a variety of 25 colors, as well as occasional furniture and home accessory items. Most of the distinctive product line is hand-forged wrought-iron.
 

Founded in 1952, SIMKAR's headquarters and principal manufacturing facilities are situated in Philadelphia, PA, with warehouses nationwide. For more information about SIMKAR's full-line of fluorescent, high-intensity discharge and high-abuse lighting fixtures for commercial, institutional and residential applications, visit the web site at www.simkar.com.