News Releases

EHC Signs Collaborative Agreement with Hitachi Cable

Tokyo, Japan - May 21, 2003

EHC Japan K.K. has taken its first order of NT2000 escalator handrails from Hitachi Cable this week, following the signing of their Collaborative Agreement last fall. Under the terms of the agreement, EHC will supply NT2000 handrails to Hitachi Cable in Japan where they will be spliced to length per customer orders.

An agreement of this magnitude is a milestone in the introduction of NT2000 (a Canadian innovation) into the Japanese market. Until now, Hitachi Cable has been EHC's 3rd largest global competitor. Hitachi Cable currently supplies approximately 40% of the Japanese handrail market - which is one of the largest markets in the world. "Hitachi Cable is convinced that NT2000 is the handrail of the future," said Ron Ball, President & CEO of EHC. This agreement further extends EHC success in partnering with global OEM's in product development and distribution.

"This collaboration is an excellent fit for both our companies as both are committed to R&D and the future of escalator handrails," said Patrick Bothwell, EHC Japan General Manager. EHC will continue to develop growth strategies to ensure long-term success in the Japanese market. This current agreement will have spin-off benefits not only in Canada, where NT2000 is manufactured, but also globally through achieving this partnership with such a prominent member of the escalator industry.

NT2000 is patented by EHC. EHC is a privately owned corporation, headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario Canada, with 15 manufacturing and service facilities Worldwide. NT2000 is the culmination of many years of R&D dedicated to developing a thermoplastic handrail. This truly unique handrail exhibits characteristics not available in conventional rubber handrails and is also available with an anti-bacterial agent.

Hitachi Cable is actively engaged in a variety of industrial fields. The Company has been a pioneer in escalator handrails, manufacturing step rollers and guides with excellent withholding load and coefficient of friction, also developing waterproof systems for construction. Hitachi Cable supplies rubber products to the industrial equipment market for distribution systems, medical appliances and other industrial machines in collaboration with its subsidiary Tohoku Rubber Co. Ltd.

About EHC:

EHC is the world's largest producer of escalator handrails. Founded by Ron Ball in 1977, EHC's head office is located in Oshawa, Canada and supplies handrails all over the world via several Quick Service Depots and four manufacturing facilities (in Canada, USA, Germany and China). Find EHC handrails on escalators around the world including: Euro Disney, Trump Tower, JFK Airport, LAX Airport, Narita Airport, Singapore Mass Transit, Japan Rail West, London Underground and the Pentagon and China subways.

Contact Us:

Tonya Kraan, Communications & Promotions Manager

EHC, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Tel: (905)432-6600 x217 Fax: (905)432-2906