AMETEK Inc. (ticker: AME, exchange: New York Stock Exchange (.N)) News Release - 13-Dec-2006

Acquisition Expands Growth Opportunities in Aerospace Aftermarket

PAOLI, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2006--AMETEK, Inc. (NYSE:AME) today announced the acquisition of Southern Aeroparts, Inc. ("SAI"), a Tulsa, OK-based provider of third-party maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to the commercial aerospace industry. The privately held SAI has estimated 2006 annual sales of $17 million.

"SAI enjoys an excellent reputation within the aerospace industry and has a strong record of growth and financial performance. The acquisition of SAI opens up new growth opportunities for AMETEK to expand the level of MRO support we provide to the airlines," notes AMETEK Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank S. Hermance.

"SAI's MRO expertise covers a broad range of hydraulic, pneumatic and electromechanical components, including increasingly complex aircraft subsystems. The addition of SAI expands AMETEK's capabilities and will enable AMETEK to offer airlines a wide array of third-party MRO services," notes Mr. Hermance. "As the trend of airlines outsourcing maintenance tasks continues and accelerates, AMETEK will be well positioned to capture more of this very attractive business."

SAI joins AMETEK Aerospace & Defense, a leading supplier of engine and aircraft monitoring systems, data acquisition units, fuel and fluid measurement systems, engine and airframe sensors, cables, harness assemblies, avionics blowers, fans, and heat transfer and cooling systems. AMETEK has long-standing relationships with many of the world's leading commercial airframe and jet engine manufacturers and also serves the aftermarket with spare part sales, repair and overhaul services.

Corporate Profile

AMETEK is a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with annualized sales of approximately $1.8 billion. AMETEK's Corporate Growth Plan is based on Four Key Strategies: Operational Excellence, Strategic Acquisitions & Alliances, Global & Market Expansion and New Products. AMETEK's objective is double-digit percentage growth in earnings per share over the business cycle and a superior return on total capital. The common stock of AMETEK is a component of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 1000 Index.

Forward-looking Information

Statements in this news release that are not historical are considered "forward-looking statements" and are subject to change based on various factors and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations. Those factors are contained in AMETEK's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

CONTACT: AMETEK, Inc.
William J. Burke, 610-889-5249

SOURCE: AMETEK, Inc.