Trützschler Acquires HOW’s US Business, Expands In Greer, SC

Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG, Germany — represented by Charlotte-based American Truetzschler Inc.
and Trützschler Card Clothing (TCC) — has acquired all production facilities, patents, and
copyrights of John D. Hollingsworth on Wheels Inc. (HOW) — a Greenville-based designer,
manufacturer, servicer and tester of textile equipment, which shuttered its operations on Dec. 30,
2009, as a result of the impacts of the U.S. textile industry’s continued decline.

The takeover will enable TCC to continue HOW’s production at its existing facilities. TCC,
founded in 2003, manufactures a full range of card and roller card clothings for the spinning and
nonwovens industries. The company has introduced new manufacturing processes with integrated
in-process quality controls and runs a global service network.

HOW specialists have joined Trützschler’s U.S. sales and marketing team and American
Truetzschler’s field service.

American Truetzschler also is investing $3.5 million to expand its operations in Greer, S.C.,
and will create 30 jobs in the process.

“Our operations in Greer are an important part of our company’s total manufacturing capacity,
and we are pleased to expand our production capabilities with a facility there,” said Detlef
Jaekel, vice president, Technical Division, American Truetzschler. “South Carolina will provide us
with an excellent business environment and a skilled workforce to suit our needs.”

The investment in Greer will enable American Truetzschler to expand both its textile
machinery and card clothing manufacturing operations. It will immediately begin adding equipment to
the facility.

In 2003, Trützschler acquired all of HOW’s activities outside the United States and Canada,
including production facilities in Brazil, Mexico and Germany, as well as HOW’s European service
stations. Those activities have operated under the name Trützschler Hollingsworth Card Clothing and
Service, while HOW continued production for its U.S. and Canadian operations at its Greenville
headquarters.

March/April 2010

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