ALPS and Abacus Group agree on a Pan-European Distribution Cooperation

Duesseldorf, Germany, November 07, 2006 – ALPS ELECTRIC EUROPA GmbH announced the agreement of a Pan-European distribution cooperation with the Abacus Group. According to the agreement, Abacus Group will distribute ALPS’ electromechanical and electronic components, printers, and floppy disk drives throughout Europe. The agreement extends the existing successful relationship between the two companies in several European markets, and -for the first time- allows Abacus to also offer ALPS’ products in Germany, Austria and Benelux. ALPS is Abacus’ first Pan-European, group-wide franchise win since the acquisition of Deltron in January this year. Commenting, Graham McBeth, Managing Director, Abacus ECD, said: “ALPS is one of the world’s best-regarded names in electronic components. We have always had an excellent relationship with them, and are excited about the prospects for developing the franchise in the new markets in which we now operate.” Frank Steinruecken, Senior Manager Sales & Marketing, ALPS, added: “The enlarged Abacus Group is the perfect vehicle to market our growing range of products right across Europe, with a consistent approach to design-in support, marketing and sales. Based on our established and successful relationship, we have great confidence in the Group’s ability to add value to markets and customer relationships in new geographies.” Under the agreement, Abacus Group will promote ALPS human-machine interface products, including switches, potentiometers, sensors, connectors, and printers as well as computer peripherals such as floppy disk drives. Key markets are pro-audio applications such as mixing consoles, automotive applications, and general industrial and consumer electronics. About Abacus Group plc Abacus Group plc is one of the leading distributors of electronic components in Europe, with directly owned companies having locations in every major European electronics market. Abacus Group companies are marketed in four groups: Abacus Electronic Component Distribution (ECD) has a portfolio of 180 franchises within 12 trading operations providing technical distribution services through locally based sales offices. The Specialist Distribution group covers businesses offering displays and communications expertise, and includes Trident, Axess and TDC. Abacus Own Brand encompasses Dubilier, Emcon Components and Eledis offering competitively priced, quality passives, electro-mechanical components and batteries. Abacus Manufacturing offers a range of electromechanical sub contract manufacture, under three trading companies: Deltron Emcon, CTL and CCS.

ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. Since its establishment in 1948 ALPS has grown as a comprehensive manufacturer of electronic components. At present ALPS is creating innovative high-value-added products in its main business segments – Components, Magnetic Devices, Communications, Peripheral Products, and Automotive Electronics – which are contributing to the advance of a digital society. ALPS is a global company that carries out its operations with 22 production bases in 9 countries as well as 57 sales bases in 14 countries. Consolidated net sales in the year ended March 31, 2005 amounted to YEN 644 billion. ALPS ELECTRIC EUROPA GmbH, a subsidiary of ALPS Electric Co., Ltd., was established in 1979. Since 1989, the European Head Office has been located in Düsseldorf, where a team of specialists works in Sales, Marketing, and Product Engineering. The activities of our branch offices in Munich, Paris and Milton Keynes, our sales office in Milan and our European distribution work are co-ordinated from Düsseldorf. ALPS Nordic AB, a 100 percent subsidiary of ALPS ELECTRIC EUROPA GmbH, is based in Sweden and services the Scandinavian market.