Press Release

Charlotte, N.C. -- Atlas Copco U.S.A. Holdings, Inc has acquired Beacon Holdings Corp., parent company of BeaconMedaes and Medaes Ltd, from The Riverside Company. BeaconMedaes, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a leading global supplier of medical gas solutions, including compressors, vacuum systems, and pipeline components. BeaconMedaes has assembly facilities and an extensive sales/service presence in both the U.S. and Great Britain.

"This acquisition is tremendous for BeaconMedaes as we will benefit significantly from the product development expertise, powerful global brand recognition, and extensive international sales and service distribution network of Atlas Copco, even further accelerating our growth worldwide," says BeaconMedaes President Mike Kistner. For Atlas Copco, the purchase supports the corporate strategy of expansion into specialized markets, such as health care.

BeaconMedaes, operating from Charlotte, becomes the global competence center for medical solutions within Atlas Copco and is positioned within Atlas Copco Compressor Technique's Industrial Air division. Building on their leadership position and brand reputation, the company will operate under and promote the BeaconMedaes brand of medical gas systems in the North American health care markets and will operate under the name Atlas Copco Medaes in international markets.

Atlas Copco, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, is a global provider of industrial products, spanning more than 150 markets and revenues of approximately $6.5 billion in 2005. Product segments include compressed air and gas equipment, generators, construction and mining equipment, industrial tools and assembly systems.