Gerber and 3M Celebrate 25 Years of Innovation

St. Paul, MN (April 11, 2007) — Gerber Scientific Products, Inc. and 3M Graphics Market Center are celebrating 25 years of a successful strategic alliance. Since 1982, the two companies have worked together to produce unique and innovative products for the sign and durable graphics industries.

"It all began when Gerber first vinyl-cutting system, the Signmaker® was introduced with 3M pressure sensitive vinyl," said Gary Soltoff, product manager of materials for GSP®. "This success was followed by digital printing in the early 1990s with the GERBER EDGE® thermal transfer printing systems and 3M™ Scotchcal™ Graphic Film Series 220 premium quality vinyl." Soltoff commented, "The innovation continues with plans for additional specialized products to be introduced later this year."

3M and Gerber have worked side-by-side during the last 25-years to design and manufacture films that have opened up new markets in the sign and graphic industries. The two organizations use their combined technical expertise to create new and better products that would be impossible to develop on their own.

"It is the synergy of each company's unique strengths that results in new products that are innovative and consistently reliable," observed Niki Severson, business manager, 3M Graphics Market Center. "The sign and graphics industry depend on 3M and Gerber to support existing product technology and to develop the next breakthrough," commented Severson. "We will continue to work together to create more high-quality products that the industry has come to expect from Gerber and 3M."

Gerber and 3M's recent development ventures have resulted in exciting breakthroughs like the following EDGE READY™ products:

Gerber Stardust™ Gold and Stardust Silver ultra-metallic films are high performance 2-mil cast vinyls produced by 3M and specifically designed for printing on the GERBER EDGE series of printers. This vinyl features an impressive metallic flake for making dramatic graphic applications of all kinds. The five year durability and pigmented adhesive system, which provides maximum color opacity, are ideal for vehicle or boat applications. Gerber recommends using GerberColor™ Transparent Foils with these films to create a wide range of other Stardust colors.

Gerber InstaChange™ Reflective is a removable reflective film that is ideal for vehicles and sign applications lasting up to 18 months. The most common applications are on leased or personal vehicles that need to have printed emblems or striping, but must be removed at the end of the lease or by the private owner. GerberColor Transparent Series foils are the perfect complement to this film as the foils' transparent nature will allow the retroreflectivity to shine through the printed image.

Gerber PermaGrip™ is a durable, cast vinyl with an extremely aggressive, pigmented adhesive which was especially designed for Gerber by 3M. PermaGrip is ideal for commercial, industrial and safety label, emblem, decal and logo applications. It can be used with all surfaces even low surface energy substrates, moderately rough surfaces, or where exceptional andal resistantcharacteristics are needed.

3M™ Luminous Film is a 9-mil, durable, "glow in the dark" vinyl recently reformulated by 3M for use with the GERBER EDGE family of printers. This film is designed for graphics that may be viewed in total darkness. It glows for up to eight hours. The green Luminous film is ideal for emergency and exit signage as well as general signs that demand maximum visibility. 3M™ Luminous Film meets luminosity requirements of IMO A.752(18), ASTM 2072 and ASTM 2073.

"As Gerber and 3M enter their twenty-fifth year of teamwork and innovation, customers can look forward to more exciting new products," predicted Soltoff. "Our goal is to use our collective efforts to optimize our existing offerings, as well as introduce different products that open up new markets and create new opportunities for our customers. The industry expects great things from 3M and Gerber this year and beyond."

About Gerber Scientific Products

Gerber Scientific Products is a leader in the development and manufacture of computerized sign making and specialty graphics systems, software, materials, and accessories. The company's start-to-finish digital design, printing and production products integrate via its unique Match Technology System™ to provide customers with comprehensive engineered solutions for every color printing and dimensional signage need. Based in South Windsor, Conn., Gerber Scientific Products operates as a business unit of Gerber Scientific, Inc.

Gerber Scientific is a leading international supplier of sophisticated automated manufacturing systems for sign making and specialty graphics, apparel and flexible materials, and ophthalmic lens processing. Headquartered in South Windsor, Connecticut, the company operates through four businesses: Gerber Scientific Products and Spandex Ltd., Gerber Technology, and Gerber Coburn.

About 3M Graphics Market Center

3M Graphics Market Center helps customers worldwide build brands by providing total large-format graphics solutions. 3M manufactures or certifies graphic films and graphic protection, flexible substrates, inks and toners, as well as software and hardware used to create large-format finished graphics that are consistent, reliable and durable. For more information call 1-800-328-3908, or go to www.3Mgraphics.com.

Copyright© 2007 Gerber Scientific International EDGE READY, Stardust, PermaGrip, InstaChange, Solara UV2, and Matched Technology System are trademarks, and GSP, GERBER EDGE, and Signmaker are registered trademarks of Gerber Scientific Products. 3M and Scotchcal are trademarks of 3M Corporation.

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