Carpenter Technology Subsidiary Enters Into Alliance With Titanium Spring Manufacturer.

Business Editors

Dynamet Incorporated, a subsidiary of Carpenter Technology Corp. (NYSE:CRS), said today it had formed a strategic alliance with Renton Coil Spring (RCS) Company related to titanium coil springs for high performance motorsports and recreation applications.

As part of the alliance, Dynamet will exclusively provide its UPG(TM) Beta (Ultimate Performance Grade) titanium material to Renton, a privately held Renton, Wash., manufacturer specializing in custom titanium spring design for aerospace, motorsports, recreation, and other industries.

Dynamet's collaboration with Renton is part of a strategy to diversify beyond the cyclical aerospace market, traditionally the largest user of titanium products. "We are continuing to make significant progress pursuing our growth initiatives in both the medical and consumer segments of our business and, with this partnership, are aggressively moving into the high-end performance motorsports, automotive, and recreation markets," said Mark S. Kamon, president, Dynamet. "Renton has a growing reputation for providing premium coil spring products, and together we expect to grow our businesses in this developing niche market."

"Our cooperation is a good example of the customer responsiveness and market opportunity that can be realized with effective supply chain management," added Charles "Chuck" Pepka, CEO of Renton. "By working more closely with Dynamet, one of our long-time suppliers, we'll now be able to offer original equipment manufacturers the same high level of spring performance that historically was only available to the high-end racing industry."

Coil springs that have been made from titanium have provided the strength needed in racing situations and are lighter in weight, creating a performance advantage. Compared to steel, a titanium spring typically requires one-half the volume and one-half the weight.

In addition to these advantages, titanium is resistant to almost all forms of corrosion and is more flexible than steel materials often used in springs.

Dynamet's UPG Beta material is produced to meet Renton's unique requirements, enabling Renton to manufacture various high-performance titanium springs with a variety of load capabilities and a broad range of spring rates. Renton has used the material to produce such products as snowmobile clutch springs, drag racing valve springs, and motocross and downhill mountain bicycle suspension springs, among others.

"RCS titanium springs are full noise," Tucker Hibbert, a champion snowcross racer has said. With these springs, "I can go faster and jump higher than with stock springs." Hibbert has used springs that have been made from UPG Beta to win five championships, including victories in the X-games, Pro-Modified and Pro-Stock snowcross races.

For more information about springs that have been made from UPG Beta, contact Mike Thibert, Renton Coil Springs, at [phone], ext. 245 (email: [e-mail]).

Renton, founded in 1949, is a fast-growing spring manufacturer known for making high quality springs. Having supplied the aviation industry since the beginning of the commercial jet age, Renton's springs can be found today in applications globally and in outer space - from the space shuttle to Formula 1 race cars.

Dynamet, based in Washington, Pa., is a leading supplier of high quality titanium and other alloy products to companies in aerospace, medical, and other industries. It is a subsidiary of Carpenter Technology, a manufacturer and distributor of specialty alloys and various engineered products worldwide. Information about Dynamet and Renton can be found at dynamet.com, coilspring.com and cartech.com.