SOUTH WINDSOR, CT -- As part of its focused effort to strengthen its broad product offering, Gerber Coburn announces its appointment as an authorized distributor for Europtica, the world’s leading provider of filtration and chilling systems. Gerber Coburn will distribute Euro Kleenchill and Euro Aquasave systems in North America, Canada, and South America effective October 1, 2002.

As explained by Kyle Costa, group product manager, Gerber Coburn, “currently our filtration and chilling line consists of basic pump and tank systems. With this new product line, we can offer customers an entirely new solution for chilling and filtering water and polish.”

“Kleenchill takes a systems approach to fluid management, making the unit ideal for any size lab,” he stated. Because the slurry is chilled and filtered, processed lenses yield a higher surface quality than lenses processed without the system. We’ve also discovered that labs can extend the life of their polish and cost-justify a system in less than a year.”

“The Aquasave filtration system complements our line of finishing products. When used with any of our edgers, the Aquasave recirculates and filters water, avoiding traditional problems such as foaming, odors, jet clogging, and messy clean-outs. This system is ideal for labs governed by strict local regulations or concerned with water conservation,” noted Costa.

Costa went on to say, “This new partnership serves both companies, we have the natural customer base - surfacing and finishing labs - and Europtica has the ancillary products those labs need.”

Gerber Coburn is the world's largest provider of computer integrated optical lens processing systems. The company designs, produces, markets and supports equipment, software, and supplies used in surfacing prescriptions in lens blanks, coating lenses, and machining lenses to fit patitent frames. Based in South Windsor, Conn., Gerber Coburn operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Gerber Scientific Inc.

Gerber Scientific is the world’s leading supplier of high technology systems and solutions that enable mass customization in diverse markets - sign making and specialty graphics, apparel and flexible materials, and optical lens processing. Gerber Scientific serves these industries through four wholly owned subsidiaries: Gerber Scientific Products, South Windsor, Conn.; Spandex PLC, Bristol, England; Gerber Technology, Tolland, Conn.; and Gerber Coburn Optical Inc., South Windsor, Conn. In addition, the company is building a presence in the global packaging and commercial printing industries through its Gerber Innovations group, Manchester, Conn. Gerber Scientific Inc. is an NYSE-listed company (symbol GRB) with approximately $503 million in annual revenue, and employs about 2,300 globally. It also is headquartered in South Windsor.