Marlborough, MA April 25, 2001 - EKRA America and Manufacturing Solutions Group have announced a partnership where Manufacturing Solutions Group, based in Renton, WA, will provide EKRA customers training facilities and classes. Available classes allow for advanced operator and maintenance training on EKRA's complete line of stencil printers. Manufacturing Solution Group will also manage and stock spare parts and consumables for EKRA products. In addition, the facility will serve as a demonstration center for EKRA screen and stencil printers.

"Searching out new and innovative ways to provide our customers the support that they need is a major component of EKRA's support strategy. Our partnership with Manufacturing Solutions Group provides our customers in the northwest with a local source for a very wide range of support, training, and consulting services." Says Steven Hall, General Manager of EKRA America.

About Manufacturing Solutions Group
Manufacturing Solutions Group, located in Renton, WA, is a single-source "solutions provider" to the electronic manufacturing industry. Through strategic operating partners, Manufacturing Solutions provides the industry with a single point of contact for sales of automated assembly equipment (Techsystems NW); equipment installation and service (Voyage Technologies); contingent and direct staffing (Volt Services Group); SMT and IPC training, process engineering consulting, and rework and repair services (Manufacturing Solutions).