Norman Bates Appointed President/COO of Merkle-Korff

Kinetek veteran Bates tapped to oversee Kinetek’s Merkle-Korff operating unit

Deerfield, IL., December 1, 2009 -- -- Kinetek, a US-based designer and manufacturer of motor, control and system solutions for commercial and industrial markets announced today that Norman R. Bates has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Merkle-Korff Industries, an Elk Grove Village, Illinois-based operating unit of Kinetek. Merkle-Korff is a leading manufacturer of advanced solutions for commercial food and refrigeration equipment, pellet stove, door opener, and custom applications.

Randy Bays, Kinetek Chief Executive Officer, formally announced Bates’ new role in the Kinetek organization: “Working with Norm over the past decade has given me a front row seat to his many talents, accomplishments and commitment to Kinetek. I am proud and excited to see Norm take this next step in his Kinetek career. I know he will do an outstanding job leading our Merkle-Korff unit.”

Bates started with Kinetek as its CFO in 1997. After several years on the financial side of Kinetek’s business, he moved into business development. In 2006, he was named Kinetek’s Senior Vice President of Business Development. As Senior VP, Bates was instrumental in establishing Kinetek’s joint ventures in China and completing other domestic acquisitions.

Bates began his career with General Electric in 1984 and held several financial management leadership positions prior to leaving General Electric for Kinetek. Bates is a graduate of GE’s Financial Management Program and earned a B.S. in Accounting from Bloomsburg University.

About Merkle-Korff Industries
Merkle-Korff is a pioneer in the development of small motors and gear motors known as “sub-fractionals” and has contributed to the success of countless commercial, industrial and consumer products since its founding in 1911. Merkle-Korff’s product line includes advanced brushless DC motors and gearmotors, PMDC planetary and PMDC right angle gearmotors; high efficiency PSC motors, and PMDC and AC parallel shaft gearmotors.

About Kinetek
Kinetek is a privately held global manufacturing company with 28 facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. At the core of Kinetek’s expertise is the design and production of custom engineered control, motor and drive system solutions. Kinetek companies hold market leading positions in commercial food equipment, commercial floor care, golf car/utility vehicles, material handling/aerial lift, medical and elevator/escalator. Learn more at www.kinetekinc.com.