LOUISVILLE, December 21, 2000 -- ISCO Industries announced its intent to purchase Fife Pipe Company of Brandon, Florida from USFilter Distribution Group, Inc., a subsidiary of United States Filter Corporation. USFilter Distribution Group and ISCO have reached an agreement for the sale, effective January 1, 2001. Like ISCO, Fife keeps ininventory High-Density Polyethylene Pipe and  McElroy Fusion Equipment, as well as being a leading  fabricator of HDPE fittings.

“We are very excited about this opportunity for continued growth,” stated Jimmy Kirchdorfer, President of ISCO Industries, “We have been a leader in the HDPE piping markets from Michigan to Georgia. The purchase of Fife will extend our offering of products and services in the Florida market. It is a perfect fit.”

Fife Pipe was founded in 1976, and was purchased by USFilter Distribution Group in 1997. Today, Fife Pipe employs 44 people in two Florida locations. “We feel this is a good opportunity for Fife,” said Randy Mason, Vice President of Fife, “ISCO’s successful acquisition of a similar company last year (Fluid Controls), as well as their sole focus on the HDPE pipe industry, makes it exciting for us to become a part of their team.”

“There are definite synergies that we will enjoy from the Fife acquisition,” said Kirchdorfer, “With 25 years of experience, Fife has one of the best reputations in the industry for their knowledge and expertise of HDPE pipe. They also bring to us a strong export business, with large emphasis in the South America and Central America market. By combining the knowledge pool and operations of the two separate companies, ISCO will emerge as an even stronger company than it was prior to this acquisition.”

Fife’s facilities in Florida, in addition to ISCO’s locations in Kentucky, Michigan, South Carolina, and Alabama, will provide an even larger distribution network throughout the Midwestern and Southeastern U.S. ISCO will now fabricate fittings and structures at three strategic locations, Louisville KY, Huntsville AL, and Mulberry FL. “After surveying our customers, we discovered that the most important issue for them is ‘product availability.’ This acquisition will allow us to share inventories among the many stocking locations. Thus, we will have more product available for our customers’ immediate demands,” said Kirchdorfer, “This acquisition will benefit all parties involved. Not only will the people of ISCO and Fife have a great opportunity ahead of them, but also our increase in size, knowledge and capabilities will provide our customers with a much greater value for their dollar.”

ISCO is a privately owned company based in Louisville, Kentucky. More information is available by contacting Tracy Temcoff at (800) 345-ISCO (4726) or locating your regional sales representative.