ATS Systems becomes a "Partner in THINC"

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - July 1, 2008 - ATS Systems, a North American leader in machine tool accessories, has joined a technical collaboration program called "Partners in THINC". Partners in THINC brings together more than 30 supportive companies from throughout the industry to create the best-integrated manufacturing solutions for Okuma machine tool users.

ATS Systems has been supplying accessory solutions such as collet chucks, quick-change chucks, rotary tables, and barfeeders on Okuma machines for more than 20 years and was identified by Okuma America Corporation as a partner having unusual product breadth, making closer cooperation sensible. As a Partner in THINC, ATS Systems will keep an office and regularly interact with Okuma's engineers at the Partners in THINC facility in Charlotte, NC. There, the two firms can test innovative ideas and sharpen solutions in a real-world setting. Darren Castoria, Regional Sales Manager for ATS Systems summarizes: "Becoming a Partner in THINC will strengthen our excellent relationships with Okuma and its dealers, and it will allow all parties involved to provide superior metal cutting solutions to the industry."

Okuma is a world leader in machine tool technology with a longstanding and strong presence in North America. Okuma's THINC control is a 40 GB, PC based control with open architecture that, among other benefits, permits peripheral items such as machine tool accessories to have plug and play compatibility.

For more information on Okuma, Partners in THINC or ATS Systems, you can visit www.okuma.com, www.partnersinthinc.com or visit www.ats-s.com.