Norwest Equity Partners' CVI Melles Griot Acquires Coherent Subsidiary.

Coherent Imaging Optics Adds Thermal Imaging to CVI Melles Griot Product Offering

MINNEAPOLIS -- Norwest Equity Partners ("NEP") and the management team of its portfolio company CVI Melles Griot, a leading global supplier of photonics products including optical components and systems, lasers, motion-control systems, laser measurement instrumentation and opto-mechanical hardware, today announced the completion of their acquisition of Coherent Imaging Optics Ltd ("CIOL"), a designer, manufacturer, and supplier of optical components critical to the performance of Thermal Imaging Systems. The CIOL transaction was structured as an asset purchase; financial terms of the transaction are undisclosed. The transaction closed on September 28, 2007.

Originally founded in 1983 by the Vinten Group plc in Leicester, England, CIOL was acquired by Coherent Inc. in November 1993 and today operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coherent. CIOL has established itself as a key manufacturer and supplier of precision custom optical components serving primarily the European and U.S. Defense industry. With its focus on Thermal Imaging Systems, CIOL has developed key enabling technologies and unique capabilities in optical thin film design, along with manufacture, precision optical fabrication and opto-mechanical assembly and testing.

"Growing CVI Melles Griot through strategic acquisitions, in addition to organic growth, is consistent with our investment thesis since acquiring the Company nearly four years ago," stated John Hale, NEP Operating Partner and CVI Melles Griot Chairman. "We are successfully accomplishing our plan to expand our capabilities and product offerings; CIOL's expertise in Thermal Imaging Systems and its established presence within the military and aerospace industries provides great advantages for us, especially in Europe," concluded Hale.

Stuart Schoenmann, CEO of CVI Melles Griot, added, "We are excited to have CIOL join the CVI Melles Griot family of companies. I am looking forward to working with its senior management team as well; the team has worked together for the last decade and operates as a closely-integrated and cooperative group with a comprehensive skill mix covering all aspects of the business. In addition, this acquisition strengthens our European manufacturing presence, increases our infrared optics manufacturing capacity, and brings us unique coating technologies."

CIOL is the fourth acquisition for CVI Melles Griot since partnering with NEP in May 2003; add-on acquisitions include Melles Griot in July 2007 (CVI Melles Griot was named CVI Laser prior to the acquisition), Quality Laser Optical in April 2006, and Optical Components in June 2005.

ABOUT CVI MELLES GRIOT

Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, CVI Melles Griot serves the semiconductor, biotech, industrial, commercial, aerospace and research industries and operates manufacturing facilities in New Mexico, California, New York, the British Isles, Japan, and South Korea with sales representatives and distributors located worldwide. For more information, visit www.cvimellesgriot.com.

Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) provides middle market companies with the capital they need to reach their goals. The firm focuses on providing equity investments of $20-$80 million in growing and profitable companies through management buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth financings. NEP takes pride in its flexible investment charter, extensive resources, carefully tailored transactions and meaningful partnerships. Since its founding in 1961, NEP has earned a reputation as one of the premier private equity investment firms in the United States. NEP has in excess of $3 billion in capital under management and is currently investing NEP VIII, an $800 million fund. Visit www.nep.com for more information on our portfolio and investment team.