Professional End Users and Distributors to Benefit from the Product and Brand Synergy

Greenville, PA, September 7, 2012 – Werner Co. announced today that it has acquired 100% of the ownership of Knaack LLC, a unit of Emerson’s Commercial & Residential Solutions business.  The acquisition brings to Werner the industry leading KNAACK® and WEATHER GUARD® brands, which will both compliment and expand Werner’s product offering in the professional channel. 

Based in Crystal Lake, IL, Knaack is the leading manufacturer of jobsite storage equipment, including storage chests, workstations, rolling workbenches and hand tool boxes marketed under the KNAACK® brand. The Company also markets a complete line of truck and van equipment, including drawer units, shelving and cabinets, and racks for full size and compact pickups, vans and utility vehicles, under the WEATHER GUARD® brand. 

“The union of Werner and Knaack creates a product portfolio that will allow us to leverage the broader company networks in manufacturing, distribution, sales and marketing to strengthen our position in the industrial/construction segment,” said William T. Allen, President and CEO at Werner Co.  “This strategic acquisition will diversify our business, build on our existing global infrastructure and continue to create value to grow our company for our key stakeholders and employees throughout the world.”

“We are proud to join the Werner family. Our category leading products combined with Werner’s market leadership creates an opportunity to provide enhanced service and expanded offerings to our customers,” said Frank Carroll, President at Knaack. 

“The professional channel has always been the foundation of the Werner organization. The acquisition of Knaack will allow us to continue to offer a portfolio of best-in-class brands, product innovation, excellent support and service to our distributor network,” said Ed Gericke, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Werner Co.   “The KNAACK® and WEATHER GUARD® brands share our commitment to customer safety, product durability, productivity, and are a natural fit with our company’s mission to serve the professional end user.”

About Werner Co.

Werner Co. is a world leader in the manufacturing and distribution of ladders, climbing equipment, ladder accessories and fall protection products under Werner, Green Bull, Keller and other licensed brands. Werner is North America’s #1 brand in ladders and has built a reputation of excellence in safety for professionals and consumers. Backed by over 60 years of product innovation, Werner ladders are recognized for their durability and quality. All Werner ladders meet or exceed applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) codes and standards for strength and structural integrity. Werner is headquartered in Greenville, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.wernerco.com.

About Knaack LLC

Knaack LLC manufactures and markets a complete line of WEATHER GUARD® truck and van equipment, including drawer units, shelving and cabinets, and racks for full size and compact pickups, vans and utility vehicles, as well as KNAACK® jobsite storage equipment, including storage chests, work stations, rolling work benches and hand tool boxes. For more information, visit www.knaack.com and www.weatherguard.com.

About Emerson

Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets around the world.  The company is comprised of five business segments:  Process Management, Industrial Automation, Network Power, Climate Technologies, and Commercial & Residential Solutions.  Sales in fiscal 2011 were $24.2 billion.  For more information, visit www.emerson.com.