Seattle Systems Adapts Lower Prices; Aggressive New Adapter Pricing Brings Quality Tested Modular Components to Forefront of Competitive Market.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

POULSBO, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2004

Seattle Systems, Inc., a Northwest-based company supplying trusted orthotic, prosthetic and orthopedic products to America's finest healthcare providers, today announced new pricing for their entire line of premium-quality modular adapters. Based on customer input surrounding tightening profit margins in prosthetics, Seattle Systems is re-launching its line of modular components for prosthetic professionals at extremely reduced pricing, without compromising quality. Seattle Systems components customers can now expect an overall pricing decrease of 20 percent throughout Seattle Systems' line of adapters, with select components reduced up to 50 percent.

For prosthetics professionals in a highly competitive market, purchasing the most affordable adapters used to mean using lower-quality products and sacrificing peace of mind. However, in lowering its prices, Seattle Systems is answering a need in the marketplace by providing high-quality, U.S.-manufactured, aerospace-grade components, at prices competitive with foreign or outsourced products. Seattle Systems now offers industry-recognized adapters and premium-quality modular components -- all manufactured to the tightest possible tolerances from aluminum, stainless steel and lightweight titanium, and all at new, lower prices. As the foundation of the prosthetic limb, these components are appropriate for prosthetic patients of all activity levels, as well as offer the value-add of purpose-built, heavy duty (rated up to 366 pounds) and pediatric components.

"If the practitioner gets a rough, dirty, scratched adapter they won't have confidence in the overall quality of the product, so looks do matter," said Dave Hensley, CP, FAAOP and Seattle Systems prosthetic practitioner and educator. "Seattle Systems adapters both look and function as a high-quality product should. Even though these components are going to be enclosed in a cosmetic covering, they need to be shiny, smooth, sleek and machined to precision, as well as fit and function perfectly."

"In endoskeletal limbs, the most common usages of the modular adapters are to attach the socket and pylon to the foot, knee or the hip," said Meg Hall, prosthetics product manager at Seattle Systems. "Since these components are the foundation of the whole limb, the structural integrity, fit and finish of the modular components is extremely important, and it is imperative they do not fail the patient."

Through a company culture focused on quality assurance in manufacturing, Seattle Systems has responded to customer demand, thus providing high quality, while lowering prices:

-- Seattle Systems employs five full-time quality control

inspectors that ensure all products meet strict guidelines for

fit and finish.

-- Seattle Systems product specifications are so tight they can

be referred to as "aerospace quality" because the company's

machined components have tolerances as tight as plus or minus

.005 of an inch.

-- All components offer the value-add of Dacromet coated

set-screws to prevent corrosion, are FDA certified, and are

subject to punishing ISO testing that takes their usage levels

to the extreme.

"Seattle Systems creates products that help restore people's lives to the fullest," said Cal Andre, president, CEO and chairman. "It is of paramount importance that our products are manufactured and tested to tolerances that meet or beat industry standards. Our commitment to serving customers' needs and solving their problems is what has given this company a worldwide reputation for excellence. Failure is not an option."

The New Seattle Systems, Inc.

Based in the Northwest with sales offices worldwide, Seattle Systems is a leading American manufacturer of orthopedic and physical rehabilitation products. Seattle Systems provides trusted products with proven designs that meet or exceed industry standards for quality and ease of use for orthopedic, podiatric, orthotic and prosthetic professionals around the globe.

Seattle Systems is the first company to bring "Flash" technology to the fitting of custom knee orthosis, debuting Digital Flash Scan technology, an easy-to-use knee brace shape acquisition technology for medical professionals. By enabling ultra accurate electronic shape acquisition, ordering using Digital Flash Scan reduces fulfillment times by 50 percent versus traditional methods.

The wide-ranging Seattle Systems product line includes orthotic bracing, cold therapy, sports medicine and artificial limb components and systems.

For more information, please visit our web site at www.seattlesystems.com.