IN FOCUS

Report on the Financial Year 2000: Sustained economic activity

The positive developments in the economy worldwide continued into the second half of the year and, despite first signs of weakness, provided a predominantly stable economic framework. With one or two exceptions, Western European markets also experienced good overall growth. In Germany, this was driven largely by exports, however. The construction industry continued to show no sign of recovery.

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ — Thomas Industries Inc.

(NYSE: TII) will hold a Webcast to address its fourth quarter and year-end

financial results on Wednesday, January 31, at 11:00 a.m. (EST). Interested

parties may connect to the audio conference at http://www.thomasind.com. A replay will be available on this Web site for 90 days.

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Pentair (NYSE: PNR) announced today

that Vice Chairman Joseph R. Collins has retired from the company. He will

retain his seat on the company’s board of directors.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ — ITT Industries, Inc.

(NYSE: ITT) today reported full year 2000 net income of $264.5 million and

diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.94, up 15 percent and 18 percent

respectively over the full year 1999, excluding a non-recurring item reported

in the fourth quarter of 1999. Full year revenues from ongoing segments rose

5 percent to $4.8 billion. Full year segment operating income for 2000 was

$546.8 million, up $78.6 million or 17 percent from the year earlier, due to

full year segment operating margin growth of 1.2 percentage points to

11.3 percent.

The British Turf and Lawn Irrigation Association rotate their annual general meeting around various suppliers to their industry. After several years of trying Lowara UK were successful in hosting the event in December welcoming a delegation from the Association that included a diverse party of consultants, contractors and other suppliers.

The new dulcoflex peristaltic pumps with a capacity up to 1,4 l/h against a max. back pressure of 1,5 bar were developed especially for the requirements in private pools.

The new permanent magnet and synchronous coupling from KTR for hermetic separation of the driving side and the driven side

Dynamism and innovation is evident at the ISH 2001, which takes place from 27 to 31 March in Frankfurt/Main. In 2001 the leading international and high-tech trade fair for sanitation and heating technology features many new technologies, which now substantially influence the rhythm of both industries.

Homa Pumpenfabrik, manufacturer of pumps for sewage disposal, sanitary engineering, dewatering and drainage, expands step-by-step its website.

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ — Pentair (NYSE: PNR) announced today that Richard J. Cathcart, 56, formerly executive vice president and president of Pentair’s Water Technologies segment, has been named president and chief operating officer of the Water Technologies segment, effective immediately.