Press Release

WEATHER GUARD® Improves Ladder Rack Systems for Better On-the-Job Performance

Crystal Lake, IL – January 18, 2012 – Knaack LLC announces improvements to the design of its roof-mounted ladder rack equipment used on commercial vans and minivans. The new design features enhance the unit’s durability while making it safer and easier for one person to load, transport, and unload ladders, as well as other oversized items carried on the roof racks. The design modifications pertain to the WEATHER GUARD® Quick Clamp Ladder Rack and the Nissan NV Ladder Rack units.

Improvements to the Quick Clamp Ladder Rack include modifications to the mounting plates and the front rails to protect ladders when loading and unloading; beefing-up the clamp mechanism for added strength and longer life; and improved engineering of the gas springs with a tougher exterior case to withstand wear, and internal brass bushings that prevent strip-out. The improved models are now available for both full-size vans and minivans. Key attributes of the Quick Clamp Ladder Rack include:

• Ladder Hooks on the front end of the side rails have been extended and angled outward for easier loading of ladders in tight places
• Long lasting design utilizes 3/16" extruded aluminum rails, and stainless steel gutter clamps and hardware
• Anti-wear protection on clamps helps protect ladders during transport
• Adjustable sway braces for easy ladder change out
• WEATHER GUARD® Van Solutions trademarked RED TIPS show the world that you work with the highest quality equipment available

The design modifications to the Nissan NV Ladder Rack pertain to the EZ-GLIDE® System in order to improve weight distribution that meets current Nissan requirements. The EZ-GLIDE® System allows for one-person loading and unloading of ladders with the use of an ergonomic drive arm. A hydraulic cylinder provides a smooth, quiet, and effortless descent and a zero-impact drop that reduces noise and equipment wear. The improved models are now available for both standard height vans and high-roof vans. A video demonstration of this mechanism and other Nissan NV storage options can be viewed at: http://www.weatherguard.com/van_storage_equipment/van_nissan_solution.php

Given the significance of these design and performance improvements, part numbers have changed as follows:

Quick Clamp Ladder Racks	Old #	New #
Single Quick Clamp Rack Mini	223-3	223-3-01
Dual Quick Clamp Rack Mini	224-3	224-3-01
Accessory Cross Member	233-3	233-3-01
Single Quick Clamp Rack	234-3	234-3-01
Dual Quick Clamp Rack	236-3	236-3-01

Quick Clamp Ladder Rack Replacement Parts	Old #	New #
Gas spring	856	856-01
Passenger side handle	7577-3	7577-3-01
Driver side handle	7578-3	7578-3-01
Passenger side rail	7830-3	7830-3-01
Driver side rail	7831-3	7831-3-01
Driver side rear rail	7833-3	7833-3-01
Passenger side rear rail	7835-3	7835-3-01

Nissan NV Ladder Rack	Old #	New #
EZ-GLIDE® System (standard)	261-3-01	261-3-02
EZ-GLIDE® System (high-roof)	262-3-01	262-3-02
Adaptor Kit	32-8944	2507

About KNAACK® and WEATHER GUARD® Brands
Knaack LLC, a division of EMERSON Professional Tools, also manufactures and markets a complete line of WEATHER GUARD® truck and van equipment, including drawer units, shelving and cabinets, and racks for full size and compact pickups, vans and utility vehicles, as well as KNAACK® jobsite storage equipment, including storage chests, work stations, rolling work benches and hand tool boxes.

About EMERSON
Emerson (NYSE:EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2009 were $20.9 billion. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.