GE Fanuc Acquires RAMiX, Leader in Embedded Computing
Strengthens GE Industrial Systems Capabilities, New Products and Growth in $9-Billion Segment

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- March 17, 2003 --  GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc., an affiliate of GE Industrial Systems, today announced that it has acquired Ventura, Calif.-based RAMiX Inc., a leading supplier of embedded computing connectivity, storage and memory solutions for essential industries ranging from defense and aerospace to telecommunications and medical equipment. Found in most every type of embedded computing application, RAMiX's products help the military to protect and defend, speed information processing in diagnostic medical equipment, help reduce the cost of phone calls, speed communications in systems that identify aircraft as friend or foe, and are an integral part of in-flight entertainment systems for the aviation industry. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"GE Industrial Systems has a strong commitment to acquiring and developing essential, growth technologies that provide peace of mind for people, their workplaces and their properties," said Lloyd Trotter, president and CEO, GE Industrial Systems. "RAMiX enhances our profitable growth in the embedded systems market and adds value to our expanding product offerings for customers. Embedded computing technologies will help us offer new innovative solutions for customers in such areas as energy management, automation, and security, including trace detection systems and more."

RAMiX designs and manufactures embedded switches; 10/100/1000-based Ethernet cards; network processors; server blades; serial I/O; PMC expansion devices; and a variety of PCMCIA, memory and storage modules. The company pioneered the concept of embedded Ethernet switching and now offers one of the most comprehensive selections of both 10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet switching products. GE Fanuc will combine the RAMiX product lines with its current offering to create an embedded systems group headquartered in Huntsville, Ala.

"The acquisition of RAMiX strategically positions GE Fanuc for continued profitable growth in the $9-billion embedded systems segment," said Jeff Garwood, president and CEO of GE Fanuc Automation. "As a technology leader, RAMiX expands GE's embedded computing capabilities and is a complement to our long history of innovation and reliability." 

Saeed Karamooz, president and CEO of RAMiX, said, "We are excited about the opportunity to join the GE organization with its long-standing record of inventiveness and commitment to integrity. RAMiX has an unprecedented opportunity to grow with GE as a preeminent provider of embedded computing solutions. The benefits to RAMiX customers will be significant, including a broader range of products and outstanding worldwide support."

About RAMiX
Founded in 1993, RAMiX Inc. (www.ramix.com), a privately held corporation headquartered in Ventura, Calif., is a leading designer and manufacturer of switching, I/O, memory and LAN embedded solutions for the defense, telecommunications and datacom markets. Using state-of-the-art technology, RAMiX delivers VME, CompactPCI, PMC and PCI-based solutions with robust device drivers for the major UNIX and Real Time Operating Systems. RAMiX is an ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001:2000 QMS certified company and an AA/EOE employer.

About GE Fanuc Automation
GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc., is a leading global supplier of automation solutions and is a joint venture between GE and FANUC LTD of Japan. GE Fanuc products and services include collaborative production management, HMI/SCADA and plant intelligence software; nano to high-end controllers; embedded systems; a wide range of CNCs; motion control; operator interfaces; industrial computers; lasers; and a wide range of integration and customer support services. Headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., GE Fanuc is part of GE Industrial Systems. For more information, visit www.gefanuc.com. 

About GE Industrial Systems
Since the founding of the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) by Thomas Edison in 1882, GE Industrial Systems has been known for technical innovation. GE Industrial Systems has over 7,600 U.S. and foreign patents on products that help provide peace of mind for people, the properties they own and their workplaces. In 2001 alone, GE Industrial Systems filed more than 200 U.S. and 340 foreign patent applications.

GE Industrial Systems spans the globe as an industry leader in integrated industrial, electrical and security equipment, systems and services. The business brings to customers the latest technologies that are used to distribute, protect and control energy and equipment, and to provide premise management. GE provides innovative product and service solutions for commercial, industrial, residential and utility customers. For more information visit the website at: www.geindustrial.com.

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