As a result of further sales growth of synthetic turf, investment projects amounting to EUR 10
million for Ten Cate Thiolon, part of the sector Industrial Fabrics and Grass of Royal Ten Cate,
have been approved. Taken into consideration the total amount of investments in fixed assets of
Royal Ten Cate during the whole of 2004, this is a substantial investment for the company. The
investment is aimed for capacity increase as well as for future cost reductions and improvements of
logistics. Investments will take place in both the US and The Netherlands. The sector Industrial
Fabrics and Grass showed a sound organic growth. For 2006 Ten Cate Thiolon sees a continuation of
its growth, which will also take place in other segments than specific sport applications.
Landscaping is such an example. In the United States multi-sport pitches for universities and
high-schools form an important area of sales as well.

In the sports market the brand Thiolon Grass(R) stands for high-grade synthetic turf that has
a prominent position with marketing companies and installers in the offerings of their systems.
Especially in the US and the top segment of the European market, there is growing demand for such
products for several applications. Thiolon Grass(R) combines durability with slide-friendly
properties for players. Soccer is currently a substantial growth market and there is a gradual
shift in perception with top clubs towards the use of synthetic turf. This is also caused by
stimulating activities by UEFA and FIFA. Synthetic turf creates improved possibilities for regions
with less favourable climate conditions, which will stimulate soccer globally. Similar developments
are seen with other sports. An increased need to save water is an argument to use synthetic turf as
well. Injury-related costs are a major aspect for top clubs and synthetic grass provides, with its
constant and predictable surface, a positive contribution to medically safe and individually
targeted training methods and control over physical aspects.

Ten Cate Thiolon works together with education institutes and includes health and safety in
its research and development. For the further growth of the market and a broad acceptation of
synthetic turf it is important that this knowledge is broadly applied. In particular for the
further growth in the volume market for soccer and other “contact sports” like American football
and rugby, an affordable, safe and durable grass surface is a key development. Ten Cate Thiolon is
well positioned to meet the requirements of the market and will maintain its leadership.
Concluding, the current developments in terms of quality and performance will lead to a greater
acceptance of synthetic turf, which stimulates market growth.Therefore Ten Cate Thiolon foresees
good opportunities for further growth in the future.

Press Release Courtesy Of PR Newswire

October 2005

ATMI Presidents 1940-1950F. W. Symmes, 1940-1941, was in office when the industry faced the
challenge of clothing and equipping hundreds of thousands of troops. Before World War I, with the
late Lewis W. Parker and others, he founded Nuckasee Manufacturing Co. to make athletic underwear.
When Nuckasee was sold to Union-Buffallo Mills , he became a director, then, in 1932, president and
treasurer. He was involved in the development or management of Piedmont Plush Mills, the Camperdown
Co., and the F. W. Poe Manufacturing Co., all of Greenville. He was a director of the Textile Hall
Corp.W. N. Banks, 1941-1942, began his career in his father’s hosiery mill at Grantville, Ga.,
became secretary when a yarn mill was built in 1905 to supply the hosiery plant and became
president when his father died in 1909. He served as chairman of the Cotton-Textile Institute,
president of the Cotton Manufacturers Association of Ga., chairman of the Carded Yarn Group and
director of the Southern Hosiery Manufacturers Association.Herman Cone, 1942-1943, became treasurer
of Proximity Manufacturing Co., Greensboro, N.C., after serving in the Navy as an ensign in World
War I, his father, the founder, having died. He succeeded his uncle as president in 1938. He also
served as president of the North Carolina Cotton Manufacturers Association and as chairman of the
Cotton-Textile Institute.Hugh M. Comer, 1943-1944, gave freely of his time in working with the
Quartermaster General, the War Production Board and the War-Manpower Commission. He had served in
World War I as an officer in the 82nd Division. He was a brother of Donald Comer, 1936-1937
president of the Association. Returning from service, he worked at various plants of Avondale Mills
as a manager. In 1946, he was chairman of the board of the Cotton-Textile Institute and served as a
director of the National Cotton Council and the Alabama Cotton Manufacturers Association.W. H.
Hightower, 1944-1945, oversaw reorganization of the Association, broadening the scope of its work.
He was born November 25, 1887 and died at Thomaston, Ga., on February 9, 1947. He went to work in
his father’s plant on graduation from college in 1909. He became vice president in 1915 and
president in 1925 when his father became chairman of the board. He was a director of the
Cotton-Textile Institute and a president of the Cotton Manufacturers Association of Georgia.Charles
A. Cannon, 1945-1946, was the first cotton manufacturer to hold the position of Chairman of the
Board of Government, as the Association changed its bylaws at the 1945 meeting, elevating the
ranking cotton manufacturer to the chairmanship and making the president a paid executive. His
administration worked vigorously to have the war-time controls lifted. He was born November 29,
1892 at Concord, N.C.; attended Davidson College; and, in 1962, as chairman of the board of Cannon
Mills, Kannapolis, N.C., celebrated both his Golden Wedding Anniversary and 50 years in the
industry.Walter S. Montgomery 1946-1947, worked for the lifting of federal controls on prices,
production and distribution, which came during his administration. He had previously served as
chairman of the ACMI Print Cloth Group. Born at Spartanburg, S.C., October 18, 1900, he was a
graduate of Virginia Military Institute. He has served as manager, treasurer, president or chairman
of a number of textile mills, including Spartan Mills, founded by his grandfather, Startex and
Beaumont Mills. He was an organizer of South Carolina Mills, a mail order firm dealing only in
items of cotton, an organizer of the Spartanburg County Foundation and a long-time director of
Textile Hall Corporation.Harvey W. Moore, 1947-1948, an alumnus of the University of Georgia,
served as president and treasurer of Brown Manufacturing Co. and Roberts Manufacturing Co.,
Concord, N.C.; secretary/treasurer of White-Parks Mills Co., Concord; vice president of Highland
Park Manufacturing Co., Eastern Manufacturing Co., Park Yarn Mills and as a director of Cannon
Mills. He served also as president of the Carded Yarn Association, mayor of Charlotte, member of
the North Carolina State Ports Authority and trustee of Davidson College. He was born May 1, 1884,
in Augusta, Ga., and died in 1958.E. S. McKissick, 1949-1950, was graduated from Alabama
Polytechnic Institute in 1915; employed by Grendel Mills, Greenwood, S.C. and Ninety-Six Cotton
Mill, Ninety-Six, S.C. during 1915-1917; elected vice president of both mills in 1917 but left to
serve with the American Expeditionary Force, winning the Silver Star and promotion to Captain in
the Meuse-Argonne offensive. He then joined J. E. SirrineandCo., becoming a partner in 1923. Later
that year, he and his father purchased Alice Mill, changing the name to Alice Manufacturing Co. He
was the grandson of a former ACMA president, Captain Ellison Smyth. He served as president of the
South Carolina Textile Manufacturers Association in 1954.

October 2005

Zapata Corp. Chairman, Avie Glazer, announced the sale of 4,162,394 shares, 77.3%, of Safety
Components International to private equity investor Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. for $51.2 million. Safety
Components, the leading independent manufacturer of air bag fabrics and cushions, had sales of
$230.4 million and income of $7.4 million in the twelve months ended June 30, 2005. The company’s
value-added fabrics are mainly used in automobile safety air bags and in a variety of applications
such as fire service apparel, ballistics material for luggage, filtration and military tents.
Safety Components is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina and has plants located in North
America, Europe, China and South Africa.

Mr. Ross said, “We have confidence in the long-term outlook for the business even though
industry conditions are challenging at present. Management has great technical expertise in
manufacturing its niche textiles globally, and we hope to help them acquire complementary product
lines.”

Mr. Glazer added, “Safety Components is an excellent company and we have enjoyed our
relationship with it. We look forward to continuing to enhance value at Zapata.”The transaction is
subject to a number of closing conditions, including approval by the shareholders of Zapata. Glazer
interests, owning 51% of Zapata stock have committed to vote in favor of the deal.

Press Release Courtesy of Wilbur L. Ross

October 2005

The Sweden-based IRO Group has reached an agreement with the Belgium-based Picanol Group whereby
IRO will acquire the assets and activities related to Picanol subsidiary Te Strake Textile BV’s
weft feeder business. The acquisition will enable IRO to consolidate its yarn-feeding expertise and
expand its market to include glass weaving and technical textile areas, among others.

While IRO henceforth will supply feeders, spare parts and service to Te Strake’s customers,
Te Strake will continue to offer weft-insertion-related products including main and relay nozzles.

October 2005

October 2005

Fenner Dunlop Worldwide, England, recently placed an order for 12 GS900 rapier weaving machines
from Italy-based SMIT Textile. With twelve facilities in eight countries, Fenner Dunlop
manufactures a range of conveyor belting for many different industries and applications from coal
mining and power plants to package handling and process automation. The company’s facilities in the
United States Georgia Duck Conveyor Belting, Scottdale, Ga.; and Scandura Conveyor Belting,
Charlotte already use 21 SMIT looms for their operations.

The new machines are destined for Georgia Duck Conveyor Belting’s facilities. Delivery has
commenced and will be completed by the end of November. The GS900 representing the evolution of
SMITs G6300 rapier weaving machine has gained wide acceptance and a strong foothold in the
technical fabrics market, according to SMIT. The machines mechatronic solutions offer enhanced
versatility and efficiency. The company reports it also offers excellent insertion rates, and its
compact construction gives it a sturdy frame that guarantees vibration-free running, even at high
speeds.

October 2005