Bowers Metrology Provides Solution for Parker Hannifin.

Business Editors

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 2003

Spear & Jackson (OTCBB:SJCK) has announced that its division, Bowers Metrology has recently solved a difficult measuring problem for Parker Hannifin (NYSE:PH), the worlds leading manufacturer of motion and control technologies.

Faced with the need to measure a feature on a new actuator component with extremely demanding tolerances, Parker Hannifin (NYSE:PH) turned to Bowers Metrology.

Hugh Munro, Quality Manager for Parker's European Cylinder Division reports, "Our gauging specification for a new actuator line included speed of operation, ease of use, flexibility, shop-floor proof characteristics and above all, high accuracy to match our extremely demanding quality standards." Although a bespoke measuring fixture could have supplied an answer, the relatively high cost and inherent dedicated nature of such a solution proved unattractive. Fortunately, a chance reading of a Bowers Metrology Mailshot unearthed the recently launched Bowers Checkmatic, an ingenious modular bench gauge, offering Parker the attributes of a dedicated measuring fixture, but with the flexibility to be configured in a multitude of ways to suit most measuring requirements.

The revolutionary construction of the new gauge also allows the users to make their own attachments for unusual applications, further enhancing the versatility. Parker Hannifin claims that the success of the new gauge will further secure additional Checkmatic purchases.

The Bowers Metrology Group, a division of Spear & Jackson, has four manufacturing sites; Bowers in Bordon, Bowers in Bradford, Moore & Wright in Sheffield and Coventry Gauge in Poole. The main products that are manufactured include internal and external micrometers, bore and air gauges, hardness testers, thread gauges and engineers hand tools.

Spear & Jackson, based in Sheffield, England, is one of the largest and oldest tool manufacturers in the UK. Spear & Jackson's roots go back to the 1740's as one of the premium tool manufacturers.

Spear & Jackson manufacturers and distributes tools, garden tools, metrology equipment, woodworking tools and magnetic equipment. They sell their products under Spear & Jackson, Neil Tools, Bowers, Robert Sorby, Moore and Wright, Eclipse (Blades), WHS, Tyzack, and Eclipse Magnetics Brands. Spear & Jackson has divisions throughout England, France and Australia. Spear & Jackson distributes its products throughout the world.

Disclosure concerning Forward-Looking Statements:

Any forward-looking statements made in this release represent management's best judgment as to what may occur in the future. Various economic and competitive factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements, including some factors which will be outside of the control of the company, such as successful completion and consolidation of the acquisitions, such as consumer spending patterns, availability of consumer and commercial credit, interest rates, currency exchange rates, inflation rates, adverse weather, energy costs, freight costs, the level of residential and commercial construction and the costs of raw materials, along with other specific factors with respect to the company's businesses set forth in the company's responses and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.