New Windsor - GretagMacbeth announced today its acquisition of McMahan Electro-Optics Inc. This announcement was made by Ron Anderson, President and CEO of GretagMacbeth. Located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, McMahan Electro-Optics Inc. was founded in 1971. For almost 30 years, McMahan has provided electro-optic and scientific instruments, systems engineering and integration, software development and instrument-hardware fabrication services for private companies and governments worldwide. McMahan spectroradiometric instruments and software are used by reference laboratories, as well as in graphic arts, commercial lighting and architectural applications, to measure, characterize, qualify and certify sources of visible, UV, infrared and optical radiation. In particular, conventional and solid-state lighting source manufacturers and end-users alike make use of the McMahan LightSpex Portable Spectroradiometer to solve critical problems in the areas of lighting standard calibration and monitoring manufacturing process control, source certification and quality control. "LightSpex has become the defacto measurement and certification standard in a number of lighting industries, both for end-users and manufacturers," says Ron Anderson. "This acquisition positions GretagMacbeth to expand on its leadership role in lighting and take advantage of new emerging solid-state lighting standards." "Moreover," says Anderson, "the combined firms of GretagMacbeth and MacMahan will play an extremely important role in providing complete solutions in the increasingly integrated world of lighting and color management." "This acquisition will allow us to leverage our skills and resources with those of a world-class company like GretagMacbeth, a leader in its field, and in doing so, exploit the obvious technology synergy between the two organizations," states Dr. Robert McMahan, President of McMahan Electro-Optics, "not only do we realize manufacturing efficiencies through this acquisition," says Dr. McMahan, "we add significant value to the creative design process in both organizations." "Beyond that," adds Mr. Anderson, "the combined firms are better able to pursue the emerging solid state lighting market. LED based, solid-state lighting is forecast to become the dominant form of commercial lighting by 2010. GretagMacbeth provides a comprehensive, integrated single-source solution for selecting, matching, measuring, formulating, managing, evaluating and communicating color in industries ranging from paints, plastics, textiles, inks and packaging to digital imaging, graphic arts, desktop publishing and printing. Our full line of color control and management tools include spectrophotometers, densitometers, color quality control and color formulation software, profiling software, standardized lighting, color standards, white reflectance coating, training, calibration and certification services. GretagMacbeth, headquartered in Regensdorf, Switzerland, maintains offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand and the Philippines. GretagMacbeth trains and supports customers worldwide and is an ISO-9001 certified company.