Oregon Aero Expands in Salem

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 4, 2005

Mike Dennis, founder, President and CEO of Oregon Aero announced today that Oregon Aero is expanding its Salem operations by relocating from a 6,000 square foot facility to a 40,000 square foot building located at 3210 Del Webb Ave. NE.

Oregon Aero began in Scappoose, OR in 1989 with a headache – a headache that Jude Dennis, Mike’s wife, experienced whenever she flew with her husband. To solve Jude’s headache problem, Mike created the SoftTop ™ Headset Cushion, put together with sheepskin and wool at their kitchen table. The SoftTop ™ worked. Jude’s headaches disappeared and they began selling their SoftTop ™ at local fly-ins.

From this beginning grew a company that today designs and manufactures more than 500 products that are painless, quieter and safer for aviation and other industries, including seats and seat cushion systems for aircraft and land vehicles; ejection seat cushions; aviation headset and helmet upgrades; military helmet padding and chin retention systems; and shock-absorbing shoe inserts.

Oregon Aero estimates that the new facility will produce over 200,000 military helmet cushion systems, precipitating the expansion into larger quarters.

Dennis said that employment at the Salem facility will increase from four to 20 over the next several months. He added that they will be investing over $1 million in the new premises.

Salem Mayor Janet Taylor, who is a licensed private pilot, praised the decision of Oregon Aero to expand in Salem. Mayor Taylor said, “This investment and new jobs are important to improve our economy and diversify our economic base.” She congratulated SEDCOR and the State Department of Economic and Community Development on their collaborative efforts to work with companies like Oregon Aero.

Larry Glassock, President of SEDCOR (Strategic Economic Development Corp.) said “Oregon Aero is clearly an innovative, entrepreneurial company and a welcome addition to our manufacturing sector.” He thanked State Representative Billy Dalto for introducing him to Oregon Aero.

For additional information, contact Larry Glassock, SEDCOR, at 503-588-6225; or Al Baker, Finance Manager, Oregon Aero, 503-543-7399