GYS - Innovation In Welding (Arc Welder, MIG Welder and TIG Welder) as the Source for Growth in Turbulent Industrial Markets

WARWICK, United Kingdom--(Business Wire)--
GYS has received the 2009 Innovation award for the Region West of France from
the French magazine L`Entreprise and the international auditing firm Ernst &
Young. This award highlights those companies that can demonstrate strong product
innovation and continuous sales growth.

Bruno Bouygues CEO of GYS said: "It`s a great honour to receive the 2009
Innovation Award. This award is down to the dedication and commitment of our
global team and their passion for new welding innovation - be it for arc welder,
MIG welder or TIG welder. I strongly believe that this award will not only
comfort our existing welding distributors worldwide but it will also be a strong
communication platform for new welding distributors, especially in the UK, where
we recently opened a new subsidiary in Warwick"

Neil Pulsford, 20 years experience as Director and Senior Manager in the
automotive sector and now GYS UK Subsidiary manager, also said: "Since joining
the GYS UK team in May 2009, I can only be impressed by the commitment to
welding innovation that is a central theme within GYS.It is always a challenge
for businesses to maintain investment in new products and R&D and even more so
when markets are difficult. As a family company with a long term view on
business, GYS has continued to increase investment in R&D in 2009 underlining
GYS`s position as a strong and innovative supplier for welding distributors for
the long term. "

About GYS : GYS is a French family firm engineering and manufacturing three
product ranges: arc-welding machines (arc welder / TIG welder / MIG welder), car
body shop equipment and automotive battery support products. With 380 employees
in four locations (France, Germany, UK and China) and a turnover of €46 million
in 2008, GYS consistently brings new and innovative products to its clients.
With a compounded annual growth rate above 15% per annum over the last 12 years,
GYS has received the 2007 Business Week award and the 2009 European Business
award given to the fastest growing companies in Europe. GYS is ISO 9001-2000
certified, and is currently implementing "5S" in the company, highlighting that
innovation and product quality management is at the core of the company
culture.

Neil Pulsford (GYS UK Subsidiary Manager)
E-mail: n.pulsford@gys.fr - Tel: +44 (0) 1926-338-609

Copyright Business Wire 2009