For More Information Contact:
Aaron Cook at 972.494.6151

ROBERT PODHRASKY, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING FOR GARRETT METAL DETECTORS JOINS TMAC BOARD

Podhrasky Brings Insight, Experience to Texas Manufacturers Assistance Center

GARLAND, Texas – February 10, 2006 – Garrett Metal Detectors’ Senior Vice-President and Director of Engineering, Robert Podhrasky, was recently invited to join the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Centers’ (TMAC) Advisory Board. TMAC is designed to enhance the competitive position of the Texas’ manufacturing sector by focusing on the needs of small to mid-sized manufacturers. Focus areas include lean manufacturing and office principles, strategic management, quality systems, environment and safety, workforce development and technology integration. Garrett Metal Detectors manufactures ground search, walk-through and hand-held metal detection products and provides training for security applications around the world.

“Garrett Metal Detectors recognizes the important role TMAC plays in the success of Texas-based manufacturing companies,” commented Podhrasky, Sr. VP and Director of Engineering. “TMAC strengthens small companies and local economies across the state by implementing sound manufacturing strategies that would otherwise be available only to large corporations. In fact, LEAN manufacturing principles used by Garrett, beginning in 2001, allowed our Company to increase production standards by three to four times our rate in previous years.”

The Lean Manufacturing advocated by TMAC, primarily focuses on identifying and eliminating non-value added activities by improving the flow of the product through the assembly line. Lean ideals challenge traditional manufacturing concepts by focusing on throughput, keeping the product moving, removing non-valued steps and value stream efficiencies.

“The TMAC Advisory board consists of professionals we consider industry leaders and whom we look to advice and counsel on TMAC products and services,” noted Deborreh Wallace, Customer Government and Industry Relations Manager for TMAC. “We currently have 15 members serving on the advisory board exclusively from the Dallas / Ft. Worth area. Bob was among those tapped out because of his strong engineering and manufacturing background in a fiercely competitive market. He has personally advocated our purpose in Washington and has demonstrated an enormous amount of support for TMAC’s efforts to support small companies across the Lone Star State.”

Podhrasky participated in Washington Hill Day in 2004 to advocate extended federal funding for TMAC to U.S. House and Senate representatives. As a TMAC Board Advisor he will advise on ways to improve the services and practices offered by TMAC representatives to small companies across Texas.

To find out more information about TMAC, contact Deborreh Wallace, Customer Relations Manager 817.272.5922 or visit www.tmac.org.

About Garrett Metal Detectors
Garrett Metal Detectors is the global leader in the research, development and manufacture of hobby and security-related metal detection products and accessories. Garrett is International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001:2000 certified. For a complete listing of Garrett Metal Detectors' products and services visit www.garrett.com or contact Mr. Aaron Cook at 972.494.6151.