REUTLINGEN, Germany & WESTBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 2005--Wangner, a unit of Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: XRM), and a leading supplier of forming fabrics and drying fabrics to the papermaking industry, has introduced its SELECTRA forming fabrics and its COMPRESSOR fabric surface treatment. SELECTRA and COMPRESSOR represent the next major steps in Wangner's history of technological innovations designed to enhance the quality of its customers' paper production.
SELECTRA forming fabrics are designed to provide low paper marking tendencies while maintaining the drainage capacity and fiber support capability, both features which are critical for paper producers. The SELECTRA design, which is based on Wangner's well-established Optiply family of fabrics, features a new warp structure that addresses cross-machine tension control, while at the same time combining with the weft to form drainage channels.
"Our goal," said Josef Mayer, Xerium Technologies' President-Clothing Europe and Asia-Pacific, "was to develop a fabric with finer weaves that has lower marking tendencies, yet that would still have sufficient free surface area on the paper side so that drainage performance would not be compromised. We believe that we achieved this goal with SELECTRA, and we are pleased by our customers' reactions to this new product."
The COMPRESSOR fabric surface treatment is a compression technique designed to enhance paper sheet formation by providing a smoother fabric surface and thereby enhancing paper sheet formation. Wangner utilizes the COMPRESSOR concept on its SELECTRA and Optiply family of fabrics.
"Increasingly stringent paper quality specifications have led manufacturers to produce finer and thinner fabrics," said Mr. Mayer. "After switching to synthetic fabrics, fabric manufacturers introduced grinding to improve the monoplanity on the paper side. Smoothening the surface had a positive impact on key operating parameters such as marking and fiber carry, but grinding tends to damage the surface of the fabrics. The key question for Wangner was to find a way to smoothen the fabric surface, and thereby improve its sheet formation functionality, without damaging the fabric. We believe that we have found the solution in COMPRESSOR, and we are very pleased to offer this new technology to our customers."
About Wangner
Wangner, a unit of Xerium Technologies Inc. (NYSE:XRM), is a leading supplier of forming fabrics and drying fabrics to the papermaking industry. Wangner has a strong history of technological innovation and customer service. Founded in 1849, Wangner has locations in Germany, Sweden, Spain and Brazil. More information on Wangner, its products, and services can be found at www.xerium.com. Xerium Technologies, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of two types of consumable products used primarily in the production of paper: clothing and roll covers. The company operates around the world under a variety of brand names and utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. With 35 manufacturing facilities in 15 countries around the world, Xerium Technologies has approximately 3,900 employees.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are not based on historical fact, including without limitation, statements containing the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "indicates", "suggests" and similar expressions. Because these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results, events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions, including without limitation those affecting the paper industry; (ii) labor unrest; (iii) currency fluctuations; (iv) competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures and new product introductions; (v) the relative and varying rates of product price and component cost changes and the volume and mixture of product and services revenues; (vi) transitions to new products, the uncertainty of customer acceptance of new product offerings and technological and market change; (vii) war or acts of terrorism in any country in which we conduct business; (viii) changes in U.S. or foreign government policies, laws, regulations and practices, including without limitation those regarding the repatriation of funds and taxes; and (ix) those other factors described in Xerium Technologies' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. All information is current as of the date this press release is issued, and Xerium Technologies and Wangner undertake no duty to update this information.
CONTACT: Media:
Wangner GmbH
Oliver Baumann, 49 (0) 7121 306 233
oliver.baumann@wangner.com
or
Investors:
Conway Communications
Mary T. Conway, 617-244-9682
mtconway@att.net
SOURCE: Wangner GmbH
