Maxi Switch Inc. to acquire two keyboard products and Buckling Spring technology; Maxi Switch to produce Select-Ease and Buckling Spring keyboard.

TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 1995--Maxi Switch Inc. Monday announced an agreement to the purchase and transfer of Lexmark International Inc.'s manufacturing rights, patents, and assets for Select-Ease and Rubber Dome computer keyboards, including its patented Buckling Spring technology.

Under the terms of the agreement, Maxi Switch will purchase certain tools, molds, patents, copyright licenses, manufacturing information and the Select-Ease trademark for an undisclosed sum.

The Select-Ease, which debuted in 1994, is a full-function keyboard that splits into left and right halves, allowing the user to adjust the height and angle of either side, and even separates the two sides if desired. Earlier this year, Home Office Computing magazine honored the Select-Ease with its "Editors' Pick" award, calling it "the most ergonomically correct keyboard made to date." It was also selected as a "Buyer's Choice" by PC Magazine.

The patented Buckling Spring technology, providing tactile feedback when typing on a computer keyboard, has been a distinguishing characteristic of several keyboard models manufactured for major OEMs over the past year.

Maxi Switch plans to incorporate the Select-Ease keyboard and the Buckling Spring switch technology into the Maxi Switch product line by the end of the year, and offer it to both OEM and distribution customers.

Syed Hassan, president of Maxi Switch Inc., stated, "The acquisition of this (Buckling Spring) switch and manufacturing technology will further expand the growth that Maxi Switch has experienced over the past five years. This will further enhance Maxi Switch's position as one of the top world wide manufacturers of keyboards and input device products."

Mark Griffin, division director-input devices, added, "The addition of award-winning mechanical switch keyboards is a perfect compliment to our existing conductive rubber keyboard line. This extends Maxi Switch's capability to satisfy a wider range of needs to our OEM and distribution customers."

Maxi Switch Inc.

With headquarters in Tucson, Ariz., Maxi Switch has been a leading U.S. supplier of computer keyboards since 1968. The company pioneered such products as conductive rubber elastomer, programmable and multimedia keyboards. Maxi Switch designs and manufactures a broad line of standard input device products under its own brand name, as well as custom solutions, and is an OEM supplier to many leading computer system suppliers throughout the world. Maxi Switch also offers surface mount technology and electronic contract & manufacturing (E-CAM) to companies requiring such manufacturing needs.

In 1993, Maxi Switch achieved ISO 9001 certification, one of the most stringent quality management guidelines for exceptional performance at all levels of production and service. Maxi Switch has also been named as an Energy Star Ally by the U.S. Department of Energy.

CONTACT: Fisher Business Communications

William L. Prichard/Marcel Goldstein, 714/556-1313

or

Maxi Switch Inc.

Mark A. Griffith, 520/294-5450