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SHERRY LABORATORIES PURCHASED BY A PRIVATE GROUP OF INDIANA INVESTORS
June 13, 2006

(Daleville, Indiana) Sherry Laboratories, owned and operated by Ontario Corporation, announced today that it has been acquired by a private group of Indiana investors led by Ascendanci Ventures, LLC, an Indiana private equity firm operated by Christopher LaMothe. Joining LaMothe in the acquisition are Van Smith, President and Chairman of Ontario Corporation and John W. Fisher, Retired Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ball Corporation.

Sherry Laboratories specializes in independent, third-party, single-source metallurgical, nonmetallic, polymer, environmental, microbiological, bioassay and petroleum-related testing and consulting. Annually, Sherry Laboratories performs over 780,000 tests on behalf of more than 1,800 customers throughout the world. It serves industries including aerospace, automotive, defense, general manufacturing, medical, nuclear, petrochemical and refining. Insurance companies, law firms and universities also frequently utilize Sherry’s expertise.

Since 1947, Sherry Laboratories has continually expanded its testing capacity. Sherry Laboratories currently consists of a multi-state network of laboratories and employs more than 180 highly-skilled workers. Indiana locations include: Daleville, Ft. Wayne, Warsaw and Columbus. Out-of-state locations include Lafayette and Scott, Louisiana, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. The 54,000-square-foot laboratory complex in Daleville also serves as the administrative headquarters. For more information, visit www.sherrylabs.com.

HIGH-TECH, HIGH-SKILL JOBS

LaMothe will serve as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board for Sherry Laboratories. LaMothe said that “Sherry was an attractive target for large competitors and buy-out firms outside Indiana. I am very pleased to be joined by such a strong team of Indiana investors and partners committed to keeping the ownership of Sherry Laboratories right here in our state. Sherry employs over 90 associates in Indiana. These are the kinds of high-tech, high-skill jobs that are so desperately needed to keep and build upon in our great state.”

Both Van Smith and John Fisher will serve on the Sherry Laboratories’ Board of Directors. Van Smith points out that “in today’s world, many industries rely on, and, in fact, insist upon, independent third-party testing. By helping to meet this rapidly growing requirement, Sherry Laboratories positions itself nicely for future growth.

“Sherry Laboratories is a leader in the testing industry,” says Christopher LaMothe. “Testing is becoming increasingly more important in R & D and production. Companies often save significant costs, reduce errors and mitigate risk by outsourcing their testing.”

"Sherry Laboratories has a reputation as a trusted source for independent testing and consulting. Experienced management supported by highly skilled associates and now led by energetic Christopher LaMothe indicates a promising future for this enterprise in its new and expanded facilities," said Fisher, an investor through Fisher Properties of Indiana, Inc.

“We are certain that this will be seamless transition for both customers and employees,” says Smith. “We welcome this change of ownership, and look forward to having a leader the caliber of Christopher LaMothe directly involved in the operations of Sherry Laboratories across the country.”

For interviews with Christopher LaMothe, Van Smith or John W. Fisher contact Sherry Laboratories, 9301 Innovation Drive Suite 103 Daleville, IN 47334, Phone: (765) 378-4111 or rkiger@ontario.com

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