Foster Builds State-of-the-Art Facility for BioMedical Materials 

Putnam, CT (June, 2003) - Foster Corporation announces the groundbreaking of its state-of-the-art biomedical polymer compounding facility that will produce nanocomposite polymers and other specialty formulations for catheters and cutting edge devices. These new materials demand the latest in production and data tracking methodologies that will be an integral part of this facility.

As a leader in biomedical material solutions since its inception in 1989, Foster has continued to invest in cutting edge technologies to advance the medical community. Today's more precise devices, such as nuerology catheters, and the synergy of devices and drug delivery, such as drug coated stents, have placed new challenges on material suppliers. Foster has responded to this challenge with the construction of a 42,000 sq. ft. research and production facility to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2003.

This new facility in Putnam, CT will be an entirely clean environment with epoxy floors, filtration and air management systems throughout, including polymer compounding and research areas. Lean workflow design will be an integral part of the layout with warehousing, batching, extrusion and packaging in separate and dedicated locations.

According to Foster's Director of Operations, Ken Pickering, "Lean and clean production are the entry fees as a supplier of sophisticated materials in the biomedical markets. Additionally the demand for quality data, detailed tracking and rapid turn around times has increased for cutting edge device applications. Our new facility will include comprehensive manufacturing software and bar coding systems for tracking material from incoming to finished goods. Additional production and development extrusion lines will give us greater flexibility and speed in satisfying our customers' needs."

Foster is a global market leader in design, development and delivery of specialty thermoplastic and fluoropolymer materials. The company provides material solutions to start-up through Fortune 500 companies world-wide from two facilities and three business units, including BioMedical Polymers, Engineering Compounds, and Applied Polymer Development. For more information, please call (860)774-3964.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Dan Lazas
610.331.6342