Franklin Fueling Systems Inc. Receives CARB Approval of 'Wiredless'in Station Diagnostic System

BLUFFTON, Ind., Aug. 29, 2008 -- Franklin Electric Co., Inc. reported today that it has received an Executive Order from the State of California Air Resources Board ("CARB") approving its Wiredless(TM) option to its In Station Diagnostics ("ISD") System already approved by CARB.

CARB regulations require that ISD systems be installed over the next two years in the majority of the approximate 11,800 gas stations located in California. While typical ISD equipment costs $10,000-15,000, the cost of installation can double or even triple the total cost of upgrading to ISD. Franklin's patent pending Wiredless(TM) option dramatically reduces those costs.

Establishing the necessary communication wiring from each dispenser to the ISD monitor hanging on the station wall represents a large portion of the cost of an ISD system installation. In older gas stations, estimated to be approximately one third of installations, the installing contractor needs to 'break concrete' to install the necessary wiring. Often the station has to be closed for days to complete the installation. Even in newer gas stations, where contractors expect to 'pull' the communication wire through existing wire conduits, the process is time consuming. And problems can arise-adding unforeseen costs and potentially requiring the station to be closed during conversion.

Franklin's Wiredless(TM) solution eliminates all of these complications by taking advantage of the gas station's existing wiring to communicate between the dispenser and the ISD monitor. Importantly, the Franklin ISD System with the Wiredless(TM) option can be installed without shutting down the gas station. This advantage represents substantial cost savings for the operator and eliminates the inconvenience to the consumer of a closed gas station.

At a cost of $5,000-6,000 for a typical station, the Franklin Wiredless(TM) option, packaged with Franklin's ISD System, offers a great installation value for California gas stations required to install ISD systems. Relative to the cost of 'breaking concrete' and 'pulling wire' along with the associated disruption or closure of the gas station during installation, selection of the Franklin ISD System in combination with the Wiredless(TM) option should reduce by tens of million of dollars the collective cost of compliance by station owners with CARB's Enhanced Vapor Recovery upgrade program currently underway.

Franklin Electric Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Scott Trumbull, stated:

"As the leading global manufacturer of submersible motors installed hundreds of feet below ground, for decades, Franklin has been utilizing the motor's power cable to communicate motor telemetry to the surface for system monitoring. However, our engineering teams in Madison, Wisconsin and Saco, Maine have developed a unique way to apply this know-how in a filling station. As part of the process, the teams evaluated both 'wired' and 'wireless' technologies that could minimize the financial burden of an ISD installation. Given the checkered historical performance of wireless communication in gas stations, we chose the more robust solution that utilizes the station's existing, proven power lines.

As we have reported before, there are two CARB approved ISD systems. We are pleased that the innovations to Franklin's ISD system have resulted in the only one that can be installed without 'pulling wire' or 'breaking concrete'. Additionally, our system is the only system that shuts down the dispenser only, and not the whole gas station, when it receives a dispenser alarm. These innovative features reduce installation and operating costs for the station owner, and minimize the lost revenue and the inconvenience of station 'down- time', to station owners and consumers, respectively.

Further, we have included another innovative product with each system-a one year trial license for our Get Connected AnyWare(TM) communications software. This software allows the station operator to monitor station forecourt activity, from any computer, anywhere, through the internet."