Franklin Electric Announces the Acquisition of Industrias Schneider S.A., Joinville-SC, Brazil


BLUFFTON, Ind., Jan. 10 -- Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (Nasdaq: FELE), the world's largest manufacturer of submersible electric motors and a leading supplier of water pumping and fuel pumping systems, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Industrias Schneider S.A. for cash. Franklin Electric expects the transaction to be accretive to its earnings per share in 2008. Industrias Schneider, headquartered in Joinville-SC, Brazil, had 2007 net
revenues of approximately R 71 million.

R. Scott Trumbull, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin
Electric, stated, "The Industrias Schneider acquisition advances our strategy
to expand Franklin's business base in developing regions where the demand for
our products is growing most rapidly. Schneider is the leading Brazilian
producer of pumps for the residential, agricultural, and light commercial
markets. Their market position is complementary to Franklin's strength in
submersible well and wastewater-pumping systems for the same end users. We
are confident that we can accelerate Schneider's strong organic growth by
selling Franklin and Little Giant branded products through the extensive
Schneider distribution network in Brazil. We will also seek to expand the
sale of Schneider pumps through Franklin's distribution networks in markets
outside of Brazil."

"Industrias Schneider, founded in the late 1940s, has built its reputation
on the same principles as Franklin: Quality, Availability, Service and
Innovation. Schneider's customer base of approximately 5,000 distributors
within Brazil is supported by 60 independent sales representatives and 280
company employees located in two manufacturing plants and four distribution
facilities."

"The Schneider brand is well known and respected within the Brazilian
market and the company has seen steady revenue and profit growth for the last
several years. We are pleased that the Schneider family has the confidence in
Franklin Electric to continue on with the shared vision of the two companies.
Both Roberto Schneider, Chief Executive Officer and Renato Schneider, Chief
Financial Officer will provide consulting services through the transition."

"We are pleased that Johann Heussinger, who recently retired after a 38
year career with ABS, a leading global producer of wastewater pumping systems,
and a resident of Brazil for the last 30 years, will be assuming the role of
Chief Executive Officer for Industrias Schneider. Fernando Schneider,
currently the Industrial Manager of Schneider and son of Roberto, will lead
the introduction of Franklin and Little Giant product into Schneider's
Brazilian network."

Roberto Schneider, Chief Executive Officer and Director, stated "Franklin
again is innovating: In my view it is the first American pump Company to
seriously enter our segment of the Brazilian market. I really believe this is
a great step for both Franklin and Schneider, which will allow unlimited
growth possibilities for the two companies."

Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of
systems and components for the movement of water and automotive fuels.
Recognized as a technical leader in its specialties, Franklin serves customers
around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial,
municipal, and fueling applications.

SOURCE Franklin Electric Co.

CONTACT:
Thomas J. Strupp
of Franklin Electric Co.,
+1-260-824-2900/

FCMN Contact: ahughes@fele.com /

Web site: www.fele.com

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