May 25, 2005

BATTELLE CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF INNOVATION WITH EVENT AT MARYLAND HEADQUARTERS

Aberdeen, MD--Battelle is celebrating its 75th Anniversary with a reception for staff, clients and community leaders at the Battelle Eastern Science and Technology (BEST) Center Wednesday.

Battelle, one of the world's largest, private research and development organizations, was founded in 1929, in Columbus, Ohio, as a non-profit charitable trust. Other anniversary events have been held throughout the year at various Battelle locations.

"We're proud to be celebrating our rich heritage in using science and technology to address the toughest technical challenges," said Battelle President and CEO Carl F. Kohrt. "And we're even more proud to acknowledge the contributions of our most valuable asset--our dedicated and talented staff."

"Although we haven't been working in Harford County for 75 years, we've set down some deep roots with our government clients and in the community over the past 20 or so years," said Greg Frank, Executive Vice President of Battelle Science and Technology International. "We're very appreciative of how cooperative our local and state officials have been in helping us establish the BEST Center."

The BEST Center, which opened in 2002, employs about 400 people, with about 200 working on the Aberdeen Proving Ground post. Prior to 2002, Battelle had leased offices in the Aberdeen and Edgewood areas. The 78,000-square-foot science and technology center is rapidly filling up because of high business growth, and Battelle is pursuing the opportunity of expanding and constructing another similar-sized facility at the Higher Education and Applied Technology (HEAT) Center.

Battelle's history of solving problems for the Department of Defense goes back to the 1930s when its metallurgy scientists were called upon to help develop armor plating for tanks used in World War II.

Today, Battelle staff at the BEST Center are at the forefront of developing defensive measures against chemical and biological threats for the military and the public. Other government work occurs in the arenas of public health, disaster planning, and forensic chemistry. In addition, significant advances in biotech and pharmaceutical technology are being pursued every day.

"Battelle is just the kind of high-tech R&D organization that the state of Maryland has been so successful in attracting," said Aris Melissaratos, Maryland's Secretary of Business and Economic Development. "With its rich heritage in the business of innovation, we have great hopes that Battelle will help spur growth in this significant high tech corridor."

"We're glad to have Battelle putting down permanent roots in Harford County," said County Executive Jim Harkins. "Battelle has been a good neighbor in the local business community and a vital part of Harford County with its staff volunteer efforts in our schools and neighborhoods. Battelle is a vital part of our community and our economy today and going forward."

Battelle is a global leader in science and technology. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for customers. Battelle, with the national labs it manages or co-manages, oversees 19,000 staff members and conducts $2.9 billion in annual research and development. Battelle innovations include the development of the office copier machine (Xerox), pioneering work on compact disc technology, medical technology advancements, and fiber optic technologies.

For more information, visit www.battelle.org or contact National Media Relations Manager Katy Delaney at (410) 306-8638 or at delaneyk@battelle.org.