(St. Louis, Missouri, USA: May 16, 2007) FKI Logistex (www.fkilogistex.com), a global leader in integrated material handling solutions, announces that U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson visited the company's St. Louis manufacturing plant and North American headquarters on Friday, May 11, to promote the value of an open, global economy. The secretary's visit followed a joint announcement by Paulson and President George W. Bush that the Bush administration is actively seeking more direct foreign investment in the United States.
FKI Logistex is a division of Loughborough, UK-based FKI plc (www.fkiplc.com) (FKI.L: LSE), and provides postal, overnight parcel, baggage handling, retail and manufacturing warehouse and distribution solutions. Paulson cited the company's U.S. presence as an example of how foreign capital works to America's advantage. FKI Logistex employs more than 1,500 U.S. workers, and has manufacturing operations in Missouri, California, Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
"FKI Logistex 'is a global leader,'" said Paulson in his address to the more than 250 FKI Logistex employees at the event in St. Louis. Paulson cited FKI Logistex's advanced laser-cutting machinery, the new GS100 global series of low-cost palletizers, and the company's global conveyor project all developed in the United States as examples of overseas investment contributing to both the U.S. and global economies.
"A global economy demands a responsive and productive global supply chain," said Steve Ackerman, president, FKI Logistex North America, during his introduction of Paulson. "This is much more than the boats, aircraft, trains and trucks that carry goods. A global supply chain requires fast and accurate automated material handling solutions like those we develop and integrate for our customers around the world. Our technology is a key enabler of an open, global economy."
Prior to the companywide address, Paulson met with FKI Logistex North America executive staff, including Ackerman and vice president of finance Tom Lesinski, as well as the company's North American Manufacturing Systems divisional president Ted Clucas and vice president of manufacturing Brian Gamache. Ackerman explained how FKI Logistex has grown to become the world's number-three automated material handling company, and competes on a global level.
"Our continuing success depends on the technology solutions we can provide to our customers," Ackerman told Paulson. "New developments like our Technology and Education Center (TEC), high-speed conveyor systems, energy-saving LS-4000 sorters, and the UniSort MXT throughput-enhancing software module are answering customer demands for increased efficiency in their operations. FKI Logistex's investment in the United States continues to pay great dividends for our company, our customers, and the global economy."
For sales and marketing information, contact Jill Raab, marketing communications coordinator, FKI Logistex North America, by phone at (314) 993-4700 or by e-mail atjill.raab@fkilogistex.com.
For media information, contact David Abels, senior account executive, Koroberi, Inc. (www.koroberi.com), by phone at (919) 960-9794 ext. 22 or by e-mail at david@koroberi.com.
About FKI Logistex
FKI Logistex (www.fkilogistex.com) is a leading global provider of automated material handling solutions, supplying its customers with an integrated set of leading-edge technologies in high-speed sortation, conveyor systems, robotic and conventional palletizing, paperless pick products, AS/RS, controls, order fulfillment systems, RFID implementation, EDS integration, baggage handling systems, warehouse control systems, and total material handling automation.
FKI Logistex provides material handling solutions for airports, postal facilities, parcel distribution, manufacturing operations, library automation, and for warehouse and distribution facilities. With projects that include many of the world's largest and most advanced material handling operations, FKI Logistex has manufacturing, engineering and support facilities around the world. For more information on FKI Logistex, click here to visit the FKI Logistex media center. For general sales information, contact FKI Logistex by phone at +1.877.935.4564 in North America, +44 (0) 870 350 3055 in Europe, or +86 21 52372255 in Asia. Contact FKI Logistex by e-mail atinfo@fkilogistex.com.
