Pentair Names Charles M. Brown President of Tools Group

"Charley is an accomplished general manager, with deep experience in the power tool business and significant knowledge of the home center, hardware chain, mass merchandising, and professional channels," said Randall J. Hogan, Pentair chairman and chief executive officer. "His proven leadership skills, combined with a broad background in marketing and product development, are ideally suited to the needs of our Tools businesses. Equally important, his personal values and ethics are closely aligned with those of Pentair.

"Brown formerly served as president of Aqua Glass Corporation, a unit of Masco Corporation, a position he held since 1996. During his tenure, Aqua Glass successfully entered the home center channel, capturing a leading market share in the tub and shower product category. From 1993 to 1996, Brown served as vice president of Marketing for Delta Faucet, another Masco business, where he was responsible for worldwide marketing and strategic planning for the division which included two of the top four brands in the faucet category: Delta and Peerless.

Brown held a series of progressively responsible positions with Black & Decker Corporation between 1988 and 1993, the most recent of which was director of Cordless Tools New Product and Market Development. In this capacity, Brown led product development efforts for professional and consumer- grade cordless tools.

Prior to serving with Black & Decker, Brown was a product director with the McNeil Consumer Products Division of Johnson & Johnson. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

As leader of Pentair's Tools Group, Brown will be responsible for an operating group that manufactures and markets tools and accessories for professionals and upscale hobbyists. Based in Jackson, Tennessee, Pentair's tools businesses include Porter-Cable/Delta, DeVilbiss Air Power Company, and its Tools Accessories platform, Oldham Saw.

Porter-Cable/Delta is a leading manufacturer of portable electric and cordless power tools, air nailers/compressors, woodworking equipment, and related accessories for the professional woodworking, commercial/residential construction, plumbing, and electrical markets. Porter-Cable/Delta operates manufacturing facilities in Jackson, Tennessee and Steinheim, Germany, where its products are produced and sold throughout Europe under the FLEX brand name. The Group also operates in Taiwan and China via a joint venture.

DeVilbiss Air Power Company is a leading manufacturer of air compressors, cold-water pressure washers, and generators with operations in Jackson, Tennessee, and Decatur, Arkansas. Its products are sold under the Ex-Cell, Air America, and Charge Air Pro brands. In addition, the company manufactures products under private label arrangements with several of the nation's leading retailers.

Oldham Saw designs and manufactures router bits, circular saw blades, and related accessories for the do-it-yourself and professional power tool markets. Sold under the Oldham(R), Viper(R), United States Saw(R), and Hickory(TM) brand names, the company's products go to market via the home center, lumberyard, and hardware channels. Oldham Saw's private label products are sold to leading power tool manufacturers, including Pentair's Porter-Cable and Delta units. The business is based in West Jefferson, North Carolina.

"We owe considerable thanks to Gene Swacker for his leadership of the Tools business as acting president," Hogan added. "Gene's solid work on the Group's core strategic initiatives has established a strong base upon which Charley can build. I am very pleased that Gene will continue to contribute to the Tools Group as president of Global Sales and Service."