SOUTH WINDSOR, CT -- Gerber Coburn today announced the appointment of Pedro Parra as the new sales manager for Latin America. Effective October 21, 2002, Parra will manage the Miami-based sales and technical service staff, oversee Latin American trade shows, and coordinate technical training for the staff and distributors.

According to Julio Seibel, general manager, Gerber Coburn Latin American operations, “Pedro is a 25-year veteran of the optical industry, his background includes laboratory experience with Optical Supply in Hialeah, Florida from 1977 to 1981 and sales and warehouse management roles with Coburn Optical Industries from 1981 to present. Since 1990 Pedro has served as a sales engineer for Gerber Coburn’s Latin American territory.”

“Pedro is a natural for this role - given his experience in the optical industry and his day-to-day dealings with Gerber Coburn’s customers and distributors in South and Central America,” stated Seibel. John Hancock, president, Gerber Coburn further stated, “with these new responsibilities Pedro will drive new market opportunities and facilitate continued profitability and growth for Gerber Coburn in Latin America. I have great confidence that Pedro will achieve these objectives.”

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 patient 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.