Dec. 4, 2007 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) – Apache Hose & Belting, Inc. today announced completion of the acquisition of Hose Central.  The transaction was finalized on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007.  The combination of Apache Hose and Belting and Hose Central brings together two of the industry’s most respected wholesale distribution companies.  

This is a strategic addition to Apache’s retail business and represents a significant step for Apache to accelerate growth in our core business sectors.  Apache will be focused on developing attractive opportunities to increase top-line growth as well as achieve significant cost synergies. 

The implementation will be seamless for the Hose Central customer base due to the successful planning and execution that has taken place over the past several months.  Hose Central will begin shipping product from the Apache corporate warehouse on Tuesday, December 4, 2007.

"This is an exciting milestone for our company and we look forward to the growth opportunities Hose Central brings.  The product mix will enhance our existing lines and bring new channel opportunities in multiple national locations," Tom Pientok, Apache President and COO said. "We believe the acquisition of Hose Central has great potential to increase our footprint in the marketplace."

Apache Hose and Belting is a national market leader in fabrication and wholesale distribution of hose, belting and related products.  Their wide diversity of product lines and industry leading on-time delivery performance makes them one of the best in the business.

Apache Hose & Belting, Inc. Honored for Excellence in
"Employee Ownership" Communications

May 14, 2007 (Washington, DC) – Apache Hose & Belting, Inc. has been selected by The ESOP Association as the runner up winner of the 2007 Total Communications and Special Events Annual Award for Communications Excellence (AACE).  The AACE Awards are sponsored each year by the Association to recognize the outstanding communications and educational programs of its members.  The awards are presented each May at the Association’s Annual Conference in Washington, DC to companies who have excelled in communicating the ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) and its meaning to the company’s employees. 

Apache is an employee-owned company located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  The communication program at Apache happens everyday.  From the employees’ monthly informal discussion with the president of Apache, to all the contests and constant communication of the company strategic plan to all employees…

“We are pleased to have been selected as a 2007 AACE Award winner by The ESOP Association,” commented Tom Pientok, COO.  “We are proud to be an ESOP company and strongly believe in the power of employee ownership and share that belief with all our employees.”

AACE Award winners are chosen by a panel of five judges made up of both management and non-management employee owners, each of whom has demonstrated active experience and interest in the field of ESOPs and employee ownership communications.  Awards are based on: overall quality and quantity of employee owner education, contributions of employee owners, integration of the ESOP into company culture, frequency of ownership communications, involvement and/or response of employee owners, encouragement of ownership attitudes, clear explanations, creative ideas, graphic design, and technical quality.

Apache Hose & Belting is a national distributor of hose and belting products to OEM’s, end-users and retail sector.  Our complete line of products can be fabricated in our 100,000 square foot facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Our communication and message to our customers, neighbors and vendors of “Employee Owned, Customer Driven” says it all.

Apache Hose & Belting Celebrates 40th Anniversary with New
ISO 9001:2000 Certification.

August 4th, 2003

Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Apache Hose & Belting Co., Inc., a leading supplier of value added conveyor belting and hose products and services to the Industrial, Agricultural, Aggregate, Construction and Retail markets celebrates 40 years in business and certification to the new ISO 9001:2000 standard.

Founded in 1963 by Robert South, Apache quickly gained recognition in the rubber industry for its customized hose products, conveyor belting fabrications, and on-site vulcanization, splicing, and installation services. Upon Mr. South's retirement in the mid-1980's the company's employees purchased his shares to become 100 percent employee owned.

Apache has 5 locations throughout the Mid-West, serving North America and the World. Sales representatives throughout the country average 18 years of industry experience, and combined with the centralized customer service center in Cedar Rapids, make up one of the most experienced sales and service teams in the industry. Well known for supplying high quality products and innovative fabrications, Apache offers consumers of hose and belting products the convenience of a single source supplier.