LAI conducts Kaizen event to boost efficiency in manufacturing gas turbine components

FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE

LAI conducts Kaizen
event to boost efficiency in manufacturing gas turbine
components

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 6,
2008 -- LAI
International, Inc., a strategic supplier
of precision components and sub-assemblies for original equipment
manufacturers, has completed a Kaizen event that has reduced the cycle time
of a key process in the production of a gas turbine component by 58
percent.
The Kaizen event -- a
focused project used to improve a process
-- evaluated a number of air flow
bench processes, cutting the cycle time of a procedure required to prepare
components for testing. The flow bench is used for testing internal
aerodynamic qualities of turbine components.
“We used best practices developed by multiple
LAI facilities in manufacturing turbine components to make LAI the best in
the business at moving product through the flow test cell,” Frank Bailey, plant
manager at LAI's manufacturing facility in Minneapolis, Minn. “We have
initiated joint efforts among LAI production facilities on the design and
fabrication of tooling that will be used for all manufacturing operations
performed by the
locations toward achieving make-complete status on the
turbine components. Combining the outstanding engineering and processing
capabilities among our facilities is one of the reasons that makes our
company the best at what it does.”  
All five of LAI's fabrication facilities are ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100 certified.
The  company also offers NADCAP certified non-conventional machining and
welding processes. In addition, LAI has best-in-class manufacturing design
teams located at each of its production facilities, enabling optimized
production throughput and quality.

About LAI International

   LAI is an approved supplier for
large potential growth manufacturing programs, including projects in green
power plant technology, aircraft parts and
sub-assemblies, and defense components. Revenues are forecast to
reach $58 million in 2008, with an employment base
projected at 350 by the end of the year.
  
LAI continues to execute its strategy of expanding its capabilities by
taking on more of its customers' supply chain. LAI's acquisition in 2007 of RTI,
Scarborough, Maine, expands its capabilities in manufacturing power generation and rotating equipment. In addition, LAI
operates four other manufacturing facilities, dispersed in key

manufacturing regions across North America, with
locations in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Tucson and Westminster,

Md.
   LAI
is known for its experience in supply chain management of complex manufacturing
processes and its technical expertise in advanced waterjet cutting,
drilling and five-axis machining, as well as precision laser processing, including laser cutting, drilling,
welding, heat-treating and five-axis machining. The company also offers high-speed CNC machining, electrical
discharge machining, including wire, plunge and hole-drilling EDM processing, five-axis grinding, welding,
conventional machining and certified gage calibration. Additional capabilities include sheet metal fabrication, tool
design and air-flow inspection.

  LAI
was acquired in 2005 by Spell Capital Partners, LLC, Minneapolis, Minn. Its
corporate headquarters are located in Scottsdale, Ariz.
   For more information, see
LAIco.com.

Quick Facts: LAI
International, Inc.
Founded: 1979
Mfg. facilities: Phoenix,
Tucson, Minneapolis, Westminster, Md., and Scarborough,
Maine
Headquarters: Scottsdale, Ariz.