NORTH CANTON, OH – Portage Electric Products, Inc. (Pepi®), a leading world-wide manufacturer of miniaturized bimetallic thermal protectors and thermostats, kicked off a global expansion strategy in 2003. Four years later this strategy has taken dramatic steps forward with significant investments in Mexico, Germany, and China. Pepi thermal control products are used as original equipment in appliances, electric motors, heaters, automotive, lighting products and battery packs. A few years ago they identified a need to manufacture thermostat products closer to where customers were making their products. Now that strategy is paying real dividends for both Pepi and their customers

In September of 2003, Pepi established a value-added finishing operation in Mexico. Since this time, the operations have expanded to include total manufacturing operations for several different models. During the last quarter of 2007, the facility has been expanded 25% to increase the number of models which are manufactured at this location.

In late 2007, Pepi had made the final acquisition to become the full owner of EAW Relaistechnik GmbH located in Berlin, Germany. Portage Electric had acquired a majority ownership position in September of 2003. EAW manufactures 1/2" disc-type thermal controls, various types of relays, as well as air and vacuum contactors for medium to high voltage applications. Their products have been leading Pepi's aggressive sales expansion throughout Europe. The company is now undertaking new and very significant investments in their European operations.

These significant investments have included installing advanced automation equipment to improve productivity and reduce lead times to their customers. The importance of the European market in Pepi's future plans is underscored by establishing Portage Electric Europe as, a wholly owned subsidiary headquartered in the Netherlands to oversee European operations.

In March 2007 Pepi opened a new production facility in China. This new plant is running smoothly and handling full production on selected models of Pepi thermal controls. To oversee production and sales operations in China, Pepi formed Portage Electric Asia Ltd., a registered company in Hong Kong.

With new or expanded production facilities in North America, Asia and Europe, Portage Electric continues to manufacture selected models at their corporate headquarters located in the United States. From this facility in North Canton, Ohio, Pepi oversees and directs all world-wide operations. New product development also supports Pepi's global expansion efforts with the introduction of several new products over the past two years. These include the Valstat® line of low-cost, high-reliability thermal controls which are ideal for use in electric motors, transformers, and lighting applications.

About Portage Electric Products, Inc.
Portage Electric was founded in 1963 to manufacture versatile thermostats used for control or limit the operating temperature in a wide variety of applications. Portage Electric designs and manufactures both snap-action and creep-action bimetallic thermal controls noted for their overall small size, versatility and reliability. These devices are produced in locations in the United States, Japan, Mexico and China. Portage Electric also manufactures 1/2" disc-type thermostats as well as high-quality relays and other switching devices at their EAW facility located in Germany.

For more information, contact Portage Electric Products, Inc., 7700 Freedom Ave., NW, North Canton, Ohio, USA, 44720.

Tel: + 330-499-2727. Fax: + 330-499-1853; salesinfo@pepiusa.com