Dec. 19, 2006--Brady Corporation, a world leader in identification solutions and specialty materials, today announced that it has acquired Asterisco Artes Graficas Ltda.. (dba Etiquetas Asterisco) in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1980, Etiquetas Asterisco is a leading manufacturer of industrial high-performance labels in Brazil. It specializes in custom labels printed on film materials for the electronics, automotive, pharmaceutical and other industries. With sales of approximately $7 million in 2005, the company currently employs 60 people. "Etiquetas Asterisco's excellent customer service and capabilities in high quality, custom, printed labels is a perfect match for our strategy of expanding our label offering," said Matt Williamson, president-Brady Americas. "This acquisition expands our capabilities in Brazil and allows us to offer a broader range of label types to customers there, as well as to existing Brady customers throughout Latin America." "We are very pleased to be joining the Brady team. They share our commitment to exceptional customer service and high quality products, and can provide the resources to further grow our business," said Etiquetas Asterisco President Jose Roberto Pinto Ribeiro. Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect premises, products and people. Its products help customers increase safety, security, productivity and performance and include high-performance labels and signs, safety devices, printing systems and software, and precision die-cut materials. Founded in 1914, the company has more than 500,000 customers in electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, education, medical and a variety of other industries. Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee and employs more than 9,000 people at operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia/Pacific. Brady's fiscal 2006 sales were approximately $1.018 billion. Brady opened W.H.B. do Brasil, Ltda. as a sales and marketing office in 1996, and established manufacturing in the region in 1998 with the acquisition of VEB Sistemas de Etiquetas Ltda. in Sao Paulo. In 2002, it expanded its operations in Latin America with a second manufacturing facility in Manaus, Brazil. More information is available on the Internet at www.bradycorp.com and www.etiquetasasterisco.com.br.