AUTOMATION ENGINEERING IS NAMED AS A WINNER OF FIVE MANAGING AUTOMATION 2009 PROGRESSIVE MANUFACTURING 100 AWARDS – ONLY FIRM ON THE LIST TO BE AWARDED MORE THAN TWO AWARDS

Greenville, SC – April 5, 2009 – Automation Engineering Corporation was selected as a winner of the fifth annual Progressive Manufacturing 100 Awards, selected by Managing Automation Media, a Thomas Publishing Company, LLC publication.

An independent judging panel chaired by David R. Brousell, Editor-in-Chief, Managing Automation Media, and Jeff Moad, Executive Editor, Managing Automation, reviewed project nominations.

The PM100 Winners will be honored and presented with their awards at the Progressive Manufacturing Awards Gala to be held on the last day of the Progressive Manufacturing Summit 2009: Redefining the Business of Manufacturing in Turbulent Economic Times, June 9-11, at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida. In addition to presenting the awards to The PM 100 Winners, Managing Automation Media will announce at the Gala Dinner High Achievers and Sub-Category Winners in each of the 8 disciplines as well as, the 2009 Progressive Manufacturers of the Year at both a large and small company.

“We are honored to be recognized by such an outstanding panel of judges assembled by Managing Automation. All of us recognize the impact of manufacturing on our prosperity and on society in general. Manufacturing is changing very dramatically, but it will not go overseas unless we fail to apply our best people, practices, and technology. These awards demonstrate our commitment to change, improve, and become the global leader in our industry.” said Gary Foster, President of Automation Engineering.

“In the face of one of the worst economic downturns in history, these winning companies dramatically underscore how the manufacturing industry will not only get through this period but emerge in an even stronger position once a recovery takes hold,” said David R. Brousell, Editor-in-Chief of Managing Automation Media. “The projects that enabled these companies to become PM100 winners reflect great creativity and inventiveness, a determined willingness to take risk, and an enduring resilience to continually improve every aspect of their business. These companies are leading the way to a better future for all industry.”

About Managing Automation Media

Managing Automation Media, a division of Thomas Publishing Company, LLC, provides a complete set of decision-support informational tools for executives and technology decision-makers at progressive manufacturers — companies that are using information and automation technologies to transform their businesses and create a sustainable competitive advantage. In North America with Managing Automation, and now also with Manufacturing Executive, they deliver access to the most influential decision-makers in manufacturing. Additional information can be found at managingautomationmedia.com.