Charles Industries Acquires Corning Cable Systems' Molded Pedestal and Housing Product Line for CATV and Telecommunications Applications

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL--(Marketwire - October 21, 2008) - Charles Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has reached an agreement with Corning Cable Systems LLC, a leading provider of fiber optic cable and hardware solutions, to acquire the company's molded pedestal product line for CATV and telecommunications applications.

As a leading provider of fiber, copper and hybrid fiber-coaxial outside plant (OSP) enclosures to the telecommunications industry, Charles' acquisition of Corning's non-metallic pedestal line will allow Charles to broaden its product offerings to the cable and telecommunications industries. Charles will capitalize on its 40 years of product development, design, manufacturing and sales experience of OSP, network and local loop electronics to further expand the Corning pedestal product line.

"The acquisition of Corning's proven and established pedestal product line enables Charles to continue to offer telecommunication service providers, cable companies and multiple service operators a line of products that they have approved, deployed and trusted in their networks," said Jack Wood, Charles Vice President of Sales. "Leveraging our expertise with environmental enclosures, active and passive optical fiber and thermal management, Charles is uniquely qualified to now support cable operators' traditional coax, fiber to the home and RF over glass initiatives as they seek to extend their fiber networks closer to the subscriber."

The newly acquired product line features above-grade non-louvered vertical pedestals, louvered vertical pedestals and louvered low-profile pedestals for CATV, broadband and telecommunications applications. In addition, these products provide a wide variety of mounting options and security for taps, splitters, amplifiers, line extenders and nodes. Several locking options are available to address specific security needs.

"We are pleased that Charles Industries, Ltd. will be offering continued support to our valued pedestal customers," said Mickey Smith, Director of Sales for Corning Cable Systems. "This agreement will benefit service providers, cable companies and multiple service operators because Corning and Charles share the same philosophy of superior customer service."

Corning Cable Systems will continue to support fiber management hardware such as the OptiSheath® MultiPort Terminal for use in molded or extruded pedestals.

In the 1970s, Charles was the first manufacturer to introduce non-metallic buried distribution pedestals to the telecommunications industry. Today, Charles pedestals and housings offer superior environmental and flood protection with the advantages of low-maintenance and re-enterable, above-grade access. 2008 marks the third consecutive year that Charles Industries has been named one of the top 100 fiber companies by Broadband Properties Magazine. The annual list highlights those companies that are making a difference in fiber deployment and new technologies.

Charles' newly acquired pedestal products will be introduced to the public at the 2008 OSP EXPO, to be held October 22-23 in Baltimore, Maryland, Charles exhibit # 831.

About Charles Industries, Ltd.

2008 marks Charles Industries' 40th year as a privately held, diversified manufacturing and technology company serving telecommunications, marine and industrial markets. Founded in 1968, the company is ISO 9001:2000 and TL 9000 certified. With corporate headquarters in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, Charles Industries has four U.S.-based manufacturing plants. For further information, please visit www.charlesindustries.com or call (847) 806-6300.

About Corning Cable Systems

Corning Cable Systems, part of Corning's telecommunications segment, is a leading manufacturer of fiber optic communications system solutions for voice, data and video network applications worldwide.

We offer the broadest range of end-to-end fiber optic and copper product solutions for customers' telecommunications networks. We put companies at the forefront of network innovation, pioneering many of the global products and solutions commonly used in state-of-the-art cabling systems.

Corning Cable Systems develops and manufactures fiber optic and copper cable hardware and equipment including network interface devices, test equipment, splice equipment, cable assemblies and fiber optic and copper connectors; as well as providing network services worldwide. Our commitment to total quality and superior customer satisfaction distinguishes us as a leader in the telecommunications industry.

Contact Information: For more information: Brad Wackerlin Charles Industries, Ltd. (847) 258-8458 bwackerl@charlesindustries.com