press release

LAI earns Northrop Grumman
Platinum Supplier Award


Wins contracts as key supplier
of JSF airframe components


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 22, 2008 -- LAI International, Inc., has earned the Platinum Source Award from Northrop Grumman for quality control and on-time delivery of precision-manufactured airframe components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
“Our best-in-class technology, extreme focus on operational efficiencies across the value chain and commitment to quality and on-time delivery made the critical difference in establishing LAI as a strategic supplier,” Stewart Cramer, president of LAI, said. “We are honored to receive this distinguished supplier recognition from Northrop Grumman. Having already received similar recognition from Lockheed Martin and the Boeing Company, we feel that this firmly establishes us as a world-class aerospace supplier.”
LAI has a multi-year contract to manufacture 21 different highly engineered, precision-machined titanium and aluminum structural panels that fit on the airframe of three variants of the advanced attack aircraft F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jet--a Conventional Take-Off and Landing aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, a Carrier Variant for the U.S. Navy; and a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps and the Royal Navy. LAI has collaborated with its customers to engineer the panels for manufacturability, and the LAI team coordinates supply chain management of several manufacturing processes--including hot-forming, CNC machining, chemical milling, finishing and five-axis precision waterjet drilling--to supply completed components for assembly on the aircraft.
“A review of your product history for the previous 12 months reflects sustained excellence as a supplier of quality products and on-time delivery to Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems,” John Saliture, Director, Supplier Quality for Northrop Grumman, said in a letter to LAI. “The Platinum Source Supplier Award is recognition for your high level of quality and delivery performance as a Northrop Grumman I.S. Supplier.”

About LAI International

LAI is an approved supplier for large potential growth manufacturing programs, including projects in green power plant technology, aircraft parts and sub-assemblies, and defense components. Revenues are forecast to reach $58 million in 2008, with an employment base projected at 350 by the end of the year.
LAI continues to execute its strategy of expanding its capabilities by taking on more of its customers' supply chain. LAI's acquisition in 2007 of RTI, Scarborough, Maine, expands its capabilities in manufacturing power generation and rotating equipment. In addition, LAI operates four other manufacturing facilities, dispersed in key manufacturing regions across North America, with locations in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Tucson and Westminster, Md.
LAI is known for its experience in supply chain management of complex manufacturing processes and its technical expertise in advanced waterjet cutting, drilling and five-axis machining, as well as precision laser processing, including laser cutting, drilling, welding, heat-treating and five-axis machining. The company also offers high-speed CNC machining, electrical discharge machining, including wire, plunge and hole-drilling EDM processing, five-axis grinding, welding, conventional machining and certified gage calibration. Additional capabilities include sheet metal fabrication, tool design and air-flow inspection.
LAI was acquired in 2005 by Spell Capital Partners, LLC, Minneapolis, Minn. Its corporate headquarters are located in Scottsdale, Ariz.
For more information, see LAIco.com.

Quick Facts: LAI International, Inc.
Founded: 1979
Mfg. facilities: Phoenix, Tucson, Minneapolis, Westminster, Md., and Scarborough, Maine
Headquarters: Scottsdale, Ariz.