New National KUKA College Training Center

Clinton Township, Michigan— February 18, 2005 –KUKA Robotics Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of industrial robots, today announced its newest KUKA College training center. The company has selected Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) to operate its new national robotics training center at the college’s Appleton, Wisconsin facility. FVTC will teach 27 different program application and maintenance classes to KUKA Robotics’ customers from across the U.S. It will also utilize the supplied KUKA robots and software to teach the college’s enrolled student base in programs such as manufacturing systems, metal fabrication/welding and machine tool technician.

“Customers want to combine robot product training with process knowledge to maximize productivity,” said Bernard J. Sagan, vice president of sales for KUKA Robotics Corporation. “Fortunately KUKA pioneered this approach with the KUKA college program, and FVTC is a perfect fit as it offered a unique mix of academic excellence and real world experience in understanding manufacturing solutions for  production problems.”

KUKA Robotics’ KUKA College program was developed for robot service technicians, programmers, and administrators. Courses are offered in robot programming, servicing, and cell design.  A highlight of the curriculum at the College is the training program for qualification as a KUKA Certified Robot Professional. Participants learn what is needed to become a fully-qualified robot expert. Graduates' skills are verified and documented by means of a final examination in each area, leading to a diploma as a KUKA Certified Robot Professional in one of the three technical fields: Robot Technician, Robot Programmer or Robot Administrator.

The new KUKA training center, projected to open in August 2005, will be located in FVTC’s new Manufacturing Technology Partnership Center, a 10,000 square foot facility located near the college’s Appleton campus. As part of the agreement KUKA Robotics Corporation will install approximately $1 million worth of equipment and software in existing labs and fully train select FVTC faculty. The agreement is expected to be approved by the FVTC Foundation, the Wisconsin Technical System Board shortly.

KUKA™ Robotics Corporation, with its parent company KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg, Germany, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial robots, with an annual production volume approaching 10,000 units, and an installed base of over 60,000 units.  The company’s 5 and 6 axis robots range from 3kg to 500kg payloads, and 635mm to 3700mm reach, all controlled from a common PC based controller platform. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries and in multiple applications including material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing. For more information contact KUKA Robotics at +1 866-873-5852 or online at www.kuka.com.