Ladish’s ZKM Forging Earns Nadcap Accreditation for Materials Testing

Stalowa Wola, Poland —ZKM Forging (www.zkmforging.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ladish Co., Inc. (www.ladishco.com) (Nasdaq: LDSH) announced today that it has completed the Nadcap certification process for Materials Testing.

According to Jozef Burdzy, ZKM’s President of the Management Board and General Director, securing this accreditation is the penultimate of a series of steps to install the capabilities necessary for attracting advanced aerospace production work. He said, “With this certification, ZKM has further expanded the range of aerospace-forging services it can offer to customers.”

Jack Franczak, Ladish’s Director of Quality and Technology, European Operations, said, “Equipment is only one aspect of being an aerospace supplier. ZKM has also developed engineering talent, operator skills and special processes to produce aerospace forgings and to qualify them through non-destructive testing and metallurgical-property testing. Now, with materials testing and other inspections certified, we are ready to produce airframe and aero-engine components made from steel and titanium. With the pending certification of ultrasonic inspection—certification we expect to receive in the very near future—we have everything in place to meet the highest standards for quality assurance.”

Commenting on receipt of the materials testing certification, Ray Knutilla, Managing Director, European Operations for Ladish, said, “Since many customers use Nadcap certifications to assure the supplier’s special-process capability, this milestone expands our market opportunities. This certification establishes all of the capabilities needed for meeting the expectations of aero-structural customers and the forthcoming ultrasonic qualification opens the door to participating in the market for rotating engine parts.

Founded in 1978, ZKM forging was acquired by Cudahy, Wisconsin-based Ladish Co., Inc. in 2005. ZKM serves more than a dozen areas of heavy industry with technically advanced forgings. Ladish is a leading producer of highly engineered, technically advanced metal components for the jet engine, aerospace and general industrial markets. Ladish is headquartered in Cudahy, Wisconsin with operations in Wisconsin, Oregon, Connecticut and Poland.  Ladish common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol LDSH.

This release includes forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in them.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties in the company's major markets, the impact of competition, the effectiveness of operational changes expected to increase efficiency and productivity, worldwide economic and political conditions and the effect of foreign currency fluctuations.