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2003-12-15

ORBIT IRRIGATION PRODUCTS WINS FIRST EVER MEP MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR PHOENIX AWARD

North Salt Lake, Utah. December 15, 2003.

Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. has won the MEP Manufacturer of the Year Phoenix Award from the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. This year marks the first time in its five years of "Celebrating Utah Manufacturing Excellence" that MEP has given a Phoenix Award. The award pays tribute to Orbit's success in maintaining its leadership position and profitability during the last few years when the manufacturing industry as a whole lost more than three million jobs due to economic decline.

"The outstanding improvements that Orbit has made during this time are a great example of continuous forward thinking and an impressive, company-wide team effort," commented Lance Rich, Orbit EVP Operations. "Industry conditions were such that we looked to the future to determine how best to remain a major player and what innovations in strategy and process we needed to make."

Rich added that following an in-depth assessment of their business practices and market conditions, Orbit initiated process improvement projects that would ensure the company's competitive advantage of total quality management and innovation. Lead-time decreased approximately 65 percent and fill rate increased to over 95 percent. Orbit was also awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification. According to MEP, "these high commitment levels" have earned Orbit the Manufacturer of the Year Phoenix Award.

Every year MEP considers the nearly 5,000 manufacturing companies in Utah, all of which are in the running for the awards. A five-member panel of judges selects winners from among all the companies nominated. One company is selected for each of seven categories that range from Best Practices, Technology Infusion to Environmental Consciousness.

ABOUT THE MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a non-profit organization chartered with raising the level of competitiveness, performance, and profitability of Utah's manufacturers by providing affordable consulting services from more than ten offices throughout the state. The MEP leverages state and federal support, along with a network of Utah-based public and private resources to assist in providing services to manufacturers.

Since its inception in 1995, the MEP has partnered and worked with more than 1,000 Utah manufacturers. In 2002, the American Society of Training and Development completed an independent study of the MEP"s work with just 40 of its client partners. The study revealed the following impact from a single fiscal year (2001): 1,055 jobs created or retained; $121.5 million of additional and retained sales; and $6.5 million of additional capital investment

ABOUT ORBIT IRRIGATION PRODUCTS, INC.

Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of irrigation products for the commercial and residential markets. Orbit manufactures and distributes more than 1,500 quality lawn and garden irrigation and misting products to customers in 32 countries worldwide under the sub-brand names Orbit Professional®, WaterMaster®, DripMaster®, SunMate® and Arizona Mist®. With manufacturing locations in the Far East and United States, Orbit employs 650 worldwide in its peak season. Orbit products can be purchased both domestically and internationally at most contractor supply houses, home improvement stores, and lawn and garden centers. For more information, go to www.orbitonline.com or call 1-800-488-6156.