Yale Materials Handling Corporation Expands Green Initiatives in 2009


Provides Central Grocer with Largest Installation of Fuel Cell Lift Trucks in the World

GREENVILLE, NC, January 12, 2009 - Yale Materials Handling Corporation, a long-standing leader in the materials handling industry, is developing and producing lift trucks that improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption for its customers' operations. Central Grocer, Inc., the largest independent grocer in Chicago, has chosen a registered Yale® dealer, Yale Equipment Services (YES) of Rosemont, IL, to develop one of the largest fleet of fuel cell lift trucks. Beginning in the first quarter of 2009, YES will deliver 140 of the 220 total fuel cell lift trucks to Central Grocer's new distribution center in Joliet, IL.

"Yale is among the first to use working fuel cells in actual applications," said Don Chance, President, Yale Materials Handling Corporation. "We have supported the adoption of greener technologies through engineering collaboration, analysis and extensive internal and field validation testing."

Central Grocers purchased 220 GenDrive(TM) fuel cell units made by Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) to power the entire lift truck fleet at their new distribution center. These are the same fuel cells that Yale has installed on its new line of electric rider trucks, beginning with the ERC-VG. Rather than selecting lead-acid batteries for the lift trucks, Central Grocer decided to use hydrogen fuel cells to power the trucks; thus eliminating the need to invest in battery charging and opening up valuable floor space in the distribution center - which increases productivity and reduces overall costs. In total, this installation of fuel cell lift trucks has an anticipated savings to Central Grocer of $1.5 million over a period of 10 years.

"With its full maintenance working contract, YES is able to manage the entire fleet and hold true to its commitment to customer satisfaction," said Chance. "Yale is collaborating on next generation energy technology to enable a broader group of customers to more easily make the switch from internal combustion engine trucks to zero emission electric trucks."

Contact: Erin Bijas, 609-452-8500, ebijas@princetonpartners.com

About Yale Materials Handling Corporation

Yale Materials Handling Corporation markets a full line of material handling lift truck products and services, including electric, gas, LP-gas and diesel powered lift trucks; narrow aisle, very narrow aisle and motorized hand trucks. Yale offers comprehensive Fleet Management services, as well as Yale® service, parts, financing and training. Yale® trucks are manufactured in an ISO 9001:2000 registered facility and range in capacity from 2,000 to 36,000 pounds. For more information, or to find the Yale® lift truck dealer nearest you, call 1-800-233-YALE or visit www.yale.com.

About Central Grocers

In a city of big stores, Central Grocers helps neighborhood markets stay afloat. The member-owned cooperative supplies food and general merchandise to more than 200 independent retail grocery stores in the Chicago area and in parts of Indiana. It distributes products under both national brands and its own Centrella brand. Central Grocers was founded in 1917. Visit www.central-grocers.com for more information.

About Plug Power

Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), an established leader in the development and deployment of clean, reliable energy solutions, integrates fuel cell technology into motive and continuous power products. The Company is actively engaged with private and public customers in targeted markets throughout the world. For more information about how to join Plug Power's energy revolution as an investor, customer, supplier or strategic partner, please visit www.plugpower.com.

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