Homer City Automation

Press Release:

Former FMC Technologies, Inc. Parts Handling Business Sold

New, Privately-Held Company Retains Rights to Syntron® Trademark and Technology

April 2, 2008, Homer City, PA - Homer City Automation, Inc. announced today that it is the new and official corporate entity of the former FMC Parts Handling Business located in Homer City, Pennsylvania. Purchase of the company, which has been trading and doing business as Homer City Automation since April, 2007, was finally completed by new owner, president and CEO, Stephanie DiLeo, who stepped in after the planned sale to another buyer fell through.

According to DiLeo who is also the former business manager, “The change in ownership has occurred without disruption to our business, which has been in continuous operation at this location for over 70 years. Homer City Automation will continue to offer and manufacture original Syntron® parts handling equipment, and to serve both new and long-standing customers who want to automate their processes.”

Sale of the business brings closure to the transition the Syntron® parts handling business faced when its former owner, FMC Technologies, Inc. consolidated and transferred its Pennsylvania-based manufacturing to Mississippi in April, 2007 and simultaneously announced its intent to divest the parts handling business, which no longer fit the company’s portfolio of energy services and products. Throughout this transition, the Syntron® parts handling business, doing business as Homer City Automation, continued to operate and service its customers with the help of long-time employees who had the knowledge and expertise to maintain and grow the business.

“It has been a long year”, acknowledged DiLeo, “but also a good year. I believe strongly in this business and its future. I am also very proud that we have been able to focus on our customers and products without missing a beat throughout this process. I look forward to recognizing the dedication of our employees and customers as well as the various business agencies and entities that have worked so diligently to make this happen.”