DANBURY, Conn. —Aug 13, 2003— Lastra America Corporation announced today that it has merged its Western Lithotech and Lastra America operations into a single business unit, Lastra America Corporation. “Lastra’s mission is to serve every market segment of the printing industry with a variety of high value digital and analog litho plate products,” said Tom Saggiomo, CEO, Lastra America Corporation. “The Western Lithotech brand is well known for high quality litho plates along with analog and digital imaging solutions for the newspaper industry. We remain committed to using the Western brand in this important area of our business.” Saggiomo continued, “The Lastra brand name is known for quality, service, and overall value and marks our firm commitment to expand our focus in the commercial print market segments”. Lastra America products are marketed around the world in concert with other Lastra Group companies and a wide network of graphic arts distributors. “Creating a single organization under one, internationally-recognized name will help to define our corporate culture and increase awareness of our position as a global manufacturer and marketer of printing products,” Saggiomo added. Lastra America Corporation, a leading supplier of CtP and analog litho plates, chemicals, and pre-press equipment is headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut with manufacturing and distribution facilities in Brookfield, Connecticut, Jacksonville, Texas and Springfield, Missouri. Lastra America Corporation is a member of the Lastra Group, the world’s fourth largest supplier of litho plates. The Lastra Group was founded over 30 years ago in Manerbio, Italy by Mario Ziletti and today remains in the Ziletti family. With headquarters outside of Milan, the Lastra Group serves customers in 110 countries and has manufacturing facilities in Italy, India, and the United States.