PRESS RELEASE

January 9, 2006

New Product Offering

Nontoxic, High-Corrosion Resistant Trivalent Chrome
Conversion Coating Helps Eliminate Hexavalent Chrome Use

Cicero, IL . . . Saporito Finishing Company now offers a high-corrosion trivalent chrome conversion coating for aluminum, magnesium and zinc die castings that will help eliminate the need for toxic hexavalent chrome use. The conversion coating is a clear blue finish similar to standard clear chromate and meets or exceeds MIL C 5541 high-corrosion resistance requirements, as tested per ASTM B117.

The coating was originally developed by the U.S. Department of the Navy and licensed to several manufacturers. Saporito Finishing worked with the Navy and its licensees to test the products ability to meet the requirements of industry standards, as well as corporate and global directives to eliminate use of toxic hexavalent chrome including RoHS and ELV.

Extensive comparison testing showed that the new trivalent chrome conversion coating performed as well as or better than conventional hexavalent chromate conversion coating. Results of 168-hour, side-by-side neutral salt-spray tests, as specified by MIL C 5541 and ASTM B117, include:

• No difference in corrosion resistance of wrought 2024 and 6061 panels.
• Better performance by trivalent chrome conversion coating on A380 die cast panels.
• Higher corrosion resistance yielded by trivalent chrome conversion coating on castings.

In further testing, A380 die castings were coated with the trivalent chrome conversion coating, painted, and subjected to cross hatch adhesion testing. The panels showed excellent bonding capability with no compromise of the bond strength, as compared to the conventional hexavalent chromate.

The trivalent chrome conversion coating is also superior to hexavalent chromate conversion coating because it is not affected by baking or exposure to heats associated with curing processes typical in paints, powder coats, and rubber molding, as well as service conditions. While traditional hexavalent chromates dehydrate when exposed to temperatures higher than 150 degree Fahrenheit cracking and exposing the substrate underneath, which then corrodes and fails completely trivalent chromates can be baked at temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit with minimal degradation of their corrosion resistance. That makes trivalent chromates excellent bases for paints and rubber bonding, markedly superior to hexavalent finishes.

"We are thrilled to offer this new trivalent chrome conversion coating that eliminates the environmental concerns associated with hexavalent chrome" said Jeffrey Logan, Saporitos Operations Manager. "The mandate to eliminate hexavalent chrome, which has found its way out of the automotive industry and into the electronics sector, will also impact customers in the medical sector this year, and other sectors of manufacturing are sure to follow. Its exciting to offer our customers a product that can replace hexavalent chromate coating, while offering equal or better performance."

Saporito Finishing Company, located in the Chicago suburb of Cicero, IL, is an ISO certified company with more than 60 years of plating, anodizing, finishing and metal treatment knowledge, as well as tumbling and deburring capabilities. The company offers more than 135,000 square feet of processing area, supplemented by full-service chemical laboratories meeting the needs of customers in the electronic, aerospace, aircraft and commercial industries. For more information, visit: www.saporitofinishing.com.

PRESS RELEASE

October 25, 2005

Latest Production Capabilities Announced

Saporitos High Corrosion Resistant
Trivalent Chromate for Zinc Offered

Cicero, IL . . . Saporito Finishing Companys high corrosion resistant trivalent chromate is a clear/blue chromate offering resistance for up to 150 hours to white rust (corrosion) and 264 hours to red rust (chromate) when tested according to ASTM B117 neutral salt spray testing. The new chromate produces an attractive, bright, blue trivalent chromate to meet automotive and other industry standards.

When testing 1010 cold rolled steel panels, zinc plated to .0002 minimum thickness and chromated in the high corrosion resistant chromate, the panels showed only 3% white corrosion and no red rust after 264 hours.

Our high corrosion resistant chromate yields higher corrosion resistance than conventional hexavalent chromates while producing a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing blue-bright appearance compared to the iridescence and non-uniform appearance of traditional hexavalent chromates, including yellow and olive drab, explains Jeffrey Logan, Saporitos director of technical operations and quality assurance.

The chromate also eliminates the environmental concerns associated with toxic hexavalent chromates, while meeting the automotive and European directives to eliminate hexavalent chrome. According to Logan, this mandate is finding its way from the automotive industry and into other manufacturing segments. The trivalent chromate meets these concerns and addresses ever-tightening EPA restrictions.

High corrosion resistant chromate is not affected by baking or exposure to heats associated with curing processes typical in paints, powder coats and rubber molding, as well as service conditions.

Traditional hexavalent chromates dehydrate when exposed to temperatures in excess of 150 degrees Fahrenheit. These dehydrated chromates crack and expose the substrate underneath which then corrodes and fails completely. Trivalent chromates can be baked at temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit with minimal degradation of their corrosion resistance making them excellent bases for paints and rubber bonding and superior to hexavalent finishes.

Related Technical Update: The Benefits of Corrosion Resistant Trivalent Chromate

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Distribution
May 10, 2004

H.A.E. Finish No Longer Offered by Saporito Finishing Company

Cicero, IL . . . Effective immediately, Saporito Finishing Co. will no longer provide the H.A.E. finish to customers. The relatively small use of the finish and its corresponding high maintenance cost prompted this decision by company management. Customers including Boeing who once ran H.A.E. have specified by default Dow 17, ASTM D 1732-67 Type II Class 2, formally MIL-M-45202C Type I and II. Correspondence with customers regarding this change should be initiated to determine if it is a viable option.

For further information, contact: Jeff Logan, Saporito Finishing's Director, Technical Operations & Quality Assurance.

Cicero, IL . . . Saporito Finishing Company, specialists in finishes for aluminum, magnesium and zinc die castings, has received the Vendor of the Year Award from Task Force Tips (TFT), a manufacturer of high performance fire suppression equipment based in Valparaiso, IN.

Saporito was selected from 271 suppliers for their work in anodizing and plating aluminum nozzle parts. Companies were judged on a nine-point vendor checklist that measured performance against technical standards as well as overall business practices. This is the second time Saporito has won the award from TFT.

"One of the key measures is how many parts are non-conforming per ISO 9000 standards. Saporito only had six or seven problems out of the tens of thousands of parts they supply to us," said Kevin Briggs, materials manager for TFT. "In addition, they're a good partner in terms of turnaround and adapting quickly to our changing needs."

Specific selection criteria included product quality and performance; consistency and accuracy of delivery and the packing of product and shipping quality. Other measures included competitive pricing; invoicing accuracy; knowledge and helpfulness of the sales and support staff; and overall cooperation.

"In light of today's stringent manufacturing requirements and expectations, this award is particularly gratifying," said Mike Swasko, Saporito's sales manager.

Saporito Finishing Company, located in the Chicago suburb of Cicero, IL, is an ISO certified company with more than 55 years of plating, anodizing, finishing and metal treatment knowledge, as well as tumbling and deburring capabilities. The company offers more than 135,000 square feet of processing area, supplemented by full service chemical laboratories serving customers in the electronic, aerospace, aircraft and commercial industries. For more information, visit www.saporitofinishing.com.

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Cicero, IL . . . Saporito Finishing Co., (formerly C.J. Saporito Plating Co.) has been recognized by local Village officials for its excellence in pollution control, receiving one of only two Governor's Awards, presented by the Illinois Environmental Pollution and Prevention Department. (Refer to the expanded press release in this section.)

As part of its formal resolution, Cicero village officials recognized the management and employees of Saporito Finishing Co. for its technical innovation and civic excellence. The official resolution formally acknowledges Saporito Day in Cicero, Illinois and encourages all residents of the community to be mindful of the company's ongoing commitment to pollution compliance and its demonstrated business practices.

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Springfield, IL . . . Illinois Governor George H. Ryan has recognized 17 companies for their achievements in reducing toxic air emission and hazardous, solid and liquid wastes in presenting the 15th annual Governor's Pollution Prevention Awards.

"These businesses (including Cicero, IL-based Saporito Finishing Co.) are leaders in their industries because of their ongoing commitment to the environment, their communities and their employees," Ryan said. "Many of them have satisfied pollution prevention programs over a number of years, striving to find new ways to reduce waste and show how pollution prevention is good for business."

Saporito Finishing Co, reduced water usage by 50 percent, dropped energy use by 25 percent and implemented new systems allowing reuse of 98 percent of its metals through anodizing purification, regenerative electroless nickel and redesigning its barrels for barrel plating. As a result of its technical advancements, the Chicago area metal finisher has gained an overall decrease in air and water emissions to help the environment and the citizens of Illinois.

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For information about how we can help improve your next metal finishing project, call 708-222-5317, or send us an e-mail, or submit the quick and easy form on the Contact Us page.