Vanmark Equipment, LLC home office, Creston, IA


















































FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

GROTE COMPANY ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF IOWA-BASED VANMARK CORPORATION




Columbus, Ohio, 1 July, 2007 - Grote Company has announced its recent acquisition of Creston, IA based Vanmark Corporation.  Established in 1954, Vanmark is a recognized leader in the innovation, design, and manufacture of industrial peeling, washing, and material handling systems for the food processing industry.  In addition, Vanmark manufactures unique specialty equipment for other industries which have a need to handle, scrub, wash, treat, size, peel, abrade, texture, or polish their products.

According to Bob Grote, Vice President of Grote Company, "The acquisition of Vanmark fits perfectly within our growth strategy.  At Grote, we recognize the need to further diversify our equipment offering into areas beyond our traditional protein markets.  This strategy includes the acquisition of like-minded equipment manufacturers of engineered food processing equipment.  The Vanmark Corporation scored well in both areas.  We see many growth opportunities for Vanmark and believe that both companies will benefit from this acquisition."

Vanmark will operate as a business division of the Grote Company under the name Vanmark Equipment LLC.  It will continue to manufacture equipment and operate from its current facility in Creston, IA.  Vanmark distributes equipment through a dealer network within the United States, as well as internationally in Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, and South Africa.

For additional information on Grote's acquisition of Vanmark Corporation, contact Mr. Bob Grote at (888) 534-7683.

Grote Company is the world's leading manufacturer of precision slicing and application equipment for the food processing industry, with manufacturing and headquarter operations located in Columbus, Ohio.  Grote Company operates world-wide through its international sales and service office in Wrexham, North Wales.  Grote Company was founded in 1972 by local business entreprenuer Jim Grote, founder and majority owner of Donatos Pizza.  Donatos Pizza currently operates 200 stores within 5 states in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.