Kohler Co. Signs Agreement to Acquire Lombardini Engine Companies From Mark IV

Kohler Co. Signs Agreement to Acquire Lombardini Engine Companies From Mark IV

May 09, 2007

    KOHLER, Wis., May 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Kohler Co.'s
Global Power Group, a global leader in engines and power
generator systems, has entered into an agreement to
purchase Lombardini Srl from Mark IV Luxembourg S.A.R.L., a
 subsidiary of Mark IV Industries, Inc. The acquisition
agreement is subject to relevant regulatory approval.

    Kohler Co.'s acquisition of Lombardini "will
provide a strong complement to our existing Engine Business
by adding a complete diesel engine line to serve the needs
of our commercial and consumer customers worldwide,"
said Dick Fotsch, Global Power Group President.

    Kohler Co.'s engine division, in operation since the
1920s, manufactures air- and liquid-cooled, four-cycle
gasoline engines in the 4 to 38 horsepower range. Kohler
engines are supplied to equipment manufacturers worldwide
in the lawn and garden, commercial and industrial,
agricultural and construction markets. Kohler manufactures
its engines from three North American facilities and one
facility, as part of a joint venture agreement in China. 

    The 85-year old Lombardini Srl, headquartered in Reggio
Emilia, Italy, manufactures small diesel, gas, and petrol
engines for the industrial, transportation, agriculture,
marine and light construction industries. Lombardini's
diesel and gasoline engine line ranges from 3 to 72
horsepower. 

    "By being acquired by Kohler Co., Lombardini will
become part of a group committed to growing the Engine
Business globally," said Dr. Gianni Borghi, CEO,
Lombardini Srl. "We're confident that the combined
engineering expertise and worldwide market support will
serve our original equipment customers and end customers
very well."

    The acquisition will also provide Kohler with an
expanded geographical presence in the European and North
African markets. "Lombardini is a strong geographic
complement to our Engine Business and we're pleased to add
contemporary diesel technology to our product
offering," said Fotsch, adding that Lombardini's
advances in cleaner, quieter diesel engines were
complementary to Kohler's ongoing commitment to
environmentally sound products.

    The acquisition is expected to be completed in early
summer 2007.

    About Kohler Co. 

    Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler,
Wisconsin-USA, Kohler Co. is one of the oldest and largest
privately-held companies in the United States.  Kohler is a
global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath
products, engines and power generation systems, cabinetry,
tile and home interiors, and international host to
award-winning hospitality and world-class golf
destinations. 

    A division of Kohler Co.'s Global Power Group, Kohler
Engines is a leading manufacturer of four-cycle, gasoline
engines -- ranging from 4 to 38 horsepower -- under the
brand names KOHLER Courage(R), Aegis(R), Command PRO(R),
and Command(R). All KOHLER engines are backed by a
dealer/distributor network that is 10,000 strong worldwide
( http://www.KohlerEngines.com ). 

    About Lombardini Srl and Mark IV Industries, Inc.

    Lombardini, headquartered in Reggio Emilia, Italy,
manufactures small diesel and gasoline engines in 5 plants
in Europe and Asia.  It is represented worldwide through
seven commercial subsidiaries and hosts more than 1,600
service locations. The company markets under four brands:
Lombardini, Lombardini Marine, Ruggerini Diesel and Acme
Motori. Lombardini was established in 1922 and acquired by
Mark IV Industries,  Inc. in 1999.  


   Mark IV Industries, Inc. is headquartered in Amherst,
New York, USA and Torino, Italy (http://www.mark-iv.com)
and is a leading global diversified manufacturer of highly
engineered systems and components for transportation
infrastructure, vehicles and equipment.  The company's
systems and components are designed to promote a cleaner
and safer environment and include advanced radio frequency,
information display, diesel and gasoline engine, air
admission and fuel and fluid handling technologies.  The
company has a global marketing and manufacturing footprint.
 

    Mark IV is majority controlled by funds advised by BC
Partners ( http://www.bcpartners.com ), a leading
pan-European private equity firm with offices in Milan,
Hamburg, London, Geneva and Paris. Since the firm was
founded in 1986, the funds advised by BC Partners have
invested in 63 acquisitions with a total transaction volume
of euro 48 billion.  


    For more information, please contact: 

    Stephanie Dlugopolski
    Kohler Co.
    Tel:   [phone], ext. 70098
    Email: [e-mail]