IBEX Innovation Award Presented to Charles Industries

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL--(Marketwire - Oct 20, 2011) - Charles Industries, Ltd., a leading provider of marine AC and DC electrical systems, announced today that the 40 amp model of its revolutionary new IMC Series^™ of battery chargers has won the 2011 International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) Innovation Award in the Electrical Systems category. The Innovation Awards, organized by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI), recognize products for innovative achievement, cost-effectiveness and practicality that benefits the marine industry and boat owners.

Charles unveiled its game-changing IMC (Intelligent Marine Charger) Series at IBEX, earning instant praise from both the Innovation Award judges and show attendees. IMC Series Battery Chargers are the marine industry's first four bank battery chargers with programmable, continuous, independent DC output (12 or 24 volts), battery type (AGM, Gel, Lead Acid, NiCad) and charging profile per battery bank. The IMC eliminates the need for multiple onboard battery chargers with the ability to charge up to four individual battery banks simultaneously, regardless of battery voltage. IMC Series Battery Chargers also feature universal AC input (120/208/240 VAC; 50Hz or 60Hz), bright fluorescent displays and "soft-touch" buttons for ease of programming, a removable Smart Memory Button that stores settings, and multiple safety features including a Limp Home Mode and smart alarms.

Lyle St. Romain, general manager of Charles Industries' Marine and Industrial Group, was on hand to receive the Innovation Award at the October 17 IBEX awards presentation in Louisville, Kentucky. "I'm very proud that the significant efforts of Charles' engineering and manufacturing teams are being recognized by the industry," St. Romain expressed. "The IMC Series represents thousands of man-hours of design, development and testing. The IMC is the most sophisticated battery charger to enter the marine marketplace and sets entirely new standards while offering customers superior flexibility. Response from IBEX show attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, and winning the IBEX Innovation Award only confirms our belief that the IMC Series is a ground-breaking advancement in battery charging technology."

Innovation Award judges echoed St. Romain's sentiments. Judge Pat Kearns stated, "The introduction of different battery voltages and recharging times created the necessity for a programmable charger. The IMC eliminated the need for multiple onboard battery chargers. The built-in redundancy will get you home." Others remarked on the IMC's ease of controls, flexibility of charging parameters, and advanced alarm reporting and safety features.

IMC Series Battery Chargers will be offered in six amperages: 20A, 40A, 60A, 80A, 100A and 120A. IMC 20A, 40A, and 60A models are available for order now, with delivery in December 2011. The IMC 80A, 100A and 120A are anticipated for release in the first quarter of 2012. IMC are Marine UL Listed and ABS Type Approved. Like all Charles Marine Products, they are made with pride in the USA at Charles' Midwest facilities.

About Charles Industries, Ltd.
2011 marks Charles Industries' 43^rd year as a privately held, diversified manufacturing and technology company serving telecommunications, CATV, marine and industrial markets. Founded in 1968, the company is ISO 9001:2000 and TL 9000 registered and headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, with four additional U.S.-based manufacturing centers.

Charles Marine & Industrial Group is a provider of high quality, innovative AC and DC electrical products, including battery chargers, inverters, isolation and boosting transformers, ship-to-shore cable products, onboard communications systems and industrial transformers. Charles products are used by OEMs and distributed by retailers worldwide. For further information, please visit www.charlesindustries.com or call (847) 806-6300.