Milton, Ga. (Nov. 30, 2010) – Exide Technologies, a global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions, announced today the planned integration of its Americas transportation and industrial groups into one business.  This integration will be effective Jan. 1, 2011.  Bruce Cole, currently President – Transportation Americas, will assume the leadership of this new business as President, Exide Americas.  The planned combination of these two businesses will result in a third quarter restructuring charge of $3-4 million.

This integration allows Exide to gain from the natural synergies between these two groups resulting in a unique market-facing business that provides for optimal leverage and the resulting benefits.  These benefits include:

Singular improved focus on quality and lean strategies to improve customer satisfaction and reduce costs
Consolidation of manufacturing/materials planning that will afford opportunities to streamline processes, improve asset utilization and yield procurement savings
Enhanced “cross selling” revenue opportunities
Greater opportunities for facility optimization and integration
“We have already seen successes regarding cost savings, cross selling and facility optimization within our European operations following the initial consolidation of the two businesses there earlier this year,” said Jim Bolch, Exide President and CEO.  “I am confident that we will see the same results in the Americas as we bring together two strong businesses and create a more formidable force within the markets we serve.”

About Exide Technologies

Exide Technologies, with operations in more than 80 countries, is one of the world's largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries. The Company's four global business groups – Transportation Americas, Transportation Europe and Rest of World, Industrial Energy Americas and Industrial Energy Europe and Rest of World – provide a comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services for industrial and transportation applications.

Transportation markets include original-equipment and aftermarket automotive, heavy-duty truck, agricultural and marine applications, and new technologies for hybrid vehicles and automotive applications. Industrial markets include network power applications such as telecommunications systems, electric utilities, railroads, photovoltaic (solar-power related) and uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and motive-power applications including lift trucks, mining and other commercial vehicles.