LAI names strategic products director

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 31, 2008 -- LAI International, Inc., a leading supplier of precision components and sub-assemblies for original equipment manufacturers, announced it has named Darcy Dodge as director of strategic products.
Dodge will be responsible for providing leadership, direction and coordination of LAI's resources to achieve its objectives for strategic products, including turbine nozzles requiring LAI's advanced manufacturing technologies. These include shaped-hole drilling, using laser, waterjet, EDM, five-axis grinding, welding, CNC machining and drill-to-flow capabilities.
“The scope of his responsibilities will require him to interface with all functions including operations, sales, sub-contractors and our customers,” John Rogers, vice president of operations for LAI, said. “In this capacity, Darcy will be active in maximizing the strengths of LAI to provide world-class products and services to our customers. With this newly created position, LAI is showing its strong commitment to products it has identified as strategic and to relentlessly pursue the market leadership position of these components in a make-complete environment.”
Dodge has served as director of power generation products and sales engineer at LAI and as product development manager at Rich Technology International, Scarborough, Maine, a company acquired by LAI in 2007. LAI operates four other manufacturing facilities, dispersed in key manufacturing regions across North America, with locations in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Tucson and Westminster, Md.

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.