Stopol, Inc. to Webcast Auction of Graco Plant near Philadelphia; Event to Feature Injection Molding Machines, Tow Motors

Business Wire, Feb 18, 2005

SOLON, Ohio -- Stopol, Inc., a leader in arranging the acquisition and sale of production equipment and machinery, businesses, divisions, product lines, and manufacturing licenses in the plastics industry, will host and webcast an auction May 11 to sell plastics manufacturing equipment and a variety of other processing machinery from discontinuing operations at a Graco Children's Products, Inc. plant near Philadelphia.

Stopol will conduct a live auction May 11 at Graco's Elverson, Pa., facility and webcast the event on www.stopolauctions.com so that bidders from all over the world can participate in the event by using their PCs. Stopol will hold a preview May 10 at the plant, which is about 50 minutes west of Philadelphia. The factory is slated to shut down completely April 30.

www.StopolAuctions.com Webcasts offer a truly unique, interactive function -- two-way audio communication that enables bidders to not only hear the auctioneer but speak to him directly in real time, as well. If an attendee is participating using their PC and they have a question or require clarification, they can address the auctioneer in real time by using their PC's microphone.

"Few, if any, online auction sites offer this kind of cutting-edge functionality. It's just one of the many reasons that Stopol's online auctions are catching on even more and attracting a large global audience," said Stopol CEO Neil Kruschke Jr. "Plus, the deals on processing equipment that this Graco auction offers will make it pretty tempting to any molder looking to increase their capacity."

The Graco auction will feature over 10 late-model Van Dorn and Cincinnati Milacron injection molding machines and more than 20 tow motors. A large quantity of toolroom equipment also will be available, including lathes, grinders, saws, mills and rivet machines. For a comprehensive listing of all available items, directions to the auction or more information on auction rules and terms of sale, please visit the auction index on www.stopol.com.

Headquartered in Exton, Pa., Graco manufactures a wide variety of children's products, including car seats, high chairs, strollers, swings and activity centers. The Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. subsidiary announced in December 2004 that it was shutting down operations at its Elverson plant to streamline operations. Graco is transferring the work performed at the Elverson plant to other Newell Rubbermaid facilities. Graco operates additional factories in Ohio, California and Mexico. Graco consulted with Stopol to help it liquidate the factory's surplus assets through auction.

On November 23, Stopol launched www.stopolauctions.com, an interactive, online marketplace that allows members to buy and sell new and used plastics equipment and other assets. The only auction Web site dedicated exclusively to the plastics industry, www.stopolauctions.com offers industry executives and plant managers the opportunity to experience the competitive atmosphere and dynamics of an auction without leaving their office, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Registered members of www.stopolauctions.com may pay for their purchases through a company check, money order, certified check, wire transfer or credit card. Registration to www.stopolauctions.com is free, and nominal fees are charged only for equipment that is bought or sold on the site.

About Stopol, Inc.:

Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, Stopol is a privately held corporation specializing in arranging the acquisition and sale of production equipment and machinery, businesses, divisions, product lines, and manufacturing licenses in the plastics industry. With unparalleled insight into the business market and the value of potential acquisitions, Stopol takes efficient, tactical approaches to connecting buyers and sellers in the plastics industry. In direct contact with more than 27,000 manufacturers, Stopol serves as a strategic partner for merger and acquisition opportunities, helping companies find cost-effective solutions while maximizing their resources.