Conbraco Industries president nominated for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year

CHARLOTTE, NC, May 8, 2006 -- Glenn Mosack, president of Conbraco Industries Inc. has been nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The award recognizes the work of individuals in building and growing successful companies in the United States and around the world.

Mosack was nominated for leading Conbraco's efforts to become more efficient, more profitable and more customer focused, while continuing to manufacture the majority of its products in the United States. Conbraco operates manufacturing facilities in Pageland and Conway, SC, and employs more than 1,200 workers in the two Carolinas. Company headquarters is located in Matthews, NC.

Conbraco manufactures Apollo^® brand ball valves and flow control product for industrial, residential and commercial applications. Mosack helped lead the company through a series of management initiatives including the institution of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma processes. The company has also invested $3 million to $4 million annually in plant and machinery upgrades for the past five years.

Few of Conbraco's major competitors manufacture valves domestically. Conbraco's ability to profitably produce a high quality, competitively priced line of U.S.-made valves sets it apart from its competition.

"It is an honor to be recognized by Ernst & Young, but this is really for our whole company and our management team," Mosack said regarding the nomination. "Everyone has worked extremely hard to make this possible and I am proud to be a part of it."

Ernst & Young began the Entrepreneur of the Year award program 20 years ago. Today, competition for the awards is held regionally, nationally and globally. There are 26 regional competitions in the United States. Regional winners compete for national recognition. Competitions are also held in 35 other countries throughout the world.

Conbraco Industries (www.conbraco.com) was founded in 1928 in Detroit, MI. The company moved its headquarters to Matthews in 1955. Today, it's one of the world's largest producers of ball valves, pressure reducing valves, backflow preventers, safety relief valves, actuators and other flow control devices. Apollo Valves are used in many industries plumbing, heating, chemical processing, paper making, refining, pharmaceuticals and power generation.

Also see: "Mosack Family regains control of Conbraco Industries with management buyout"

###