Released on December 10, 2008

Thresher Industries Inc., Hanford, Calif., has agreed to purchase two 350-ton high pressure diecasting machines and one 650-ton machine, an investment the company believes will increase annual revenues by $15 million.

The company purchased the Toshiba diecasting machines with all necessary support equipment, including Wazniac high performance shot ends and high volume melting and holding furnaces. The new work cells will allow the company to offer conventional die castings in addition to its metal matrix composite and aluminum castings.

“The purchase of these machines will allow us expand our market and take on additional orders over the next two years,” said Tom Flessner, Thresher’s CEO. “As we look to 2009, we’ll continue to expand our business, increase our client base and offer a greater variety of products while increasing revenues.”

Thresher provides prototypes and low volume castings in the permanent mold, low pressure and high pressure diecasting methods. The company recently announced it was expanding its sales and marketing initiatives to increase U.S.-based clientele and signed an agreement with Advanced Technology Sales Associates to be its global sales representative. Advanced Technology now represents Thresher in the automotive, aerospace and electronics industries in the Eastern U.S. and Europe.

In May 2007, Thresher announced it was considering locations for a new metalcasting facility in Michigan, while at the same time opening a new office in Korea. The U.S.-based metalcasting facility has yet to be completed.