HOT MARKETING

Michael Robinson,Karl Reynolds and Lance Smith

A knowledgeable associate briefs local fire officials on an unfamiliar product.

Michael Robinson, outside sales, Naples Building Materials/Electric/Plumbing, is helping spread the word on fireboxes. A customer of his, Coombs Electric, Inc., asked Robinson about the availability of a recessed downlight fixture that had a "UL" listing and was fire-rated. Robinson immediately though of Progress Lighting, the only manufacturer in the United States that has a UL fire-rated recessed downlite. Coombs Electric placed an order for 200 pieces, but a problem occured when the Collier County Fire Marshall would not allow these fixtures installed because they did not know the product.

Robinson arranged a meeting with Chief Fire Marshall Karl Reynolds and, Progress Lighting Representative Lance, Smith. Robinson and Smith presented the Firebox, and the Fire Marshall approved it. In fact, it was so well liked, they were invited to attend the Fire Marshall's bi-monthly meeting to introduce the firebox to local fire inspectors and Marshalls, as well as many firemen. Robinson says that they not only received a positive response from the fire protection community, Coombs Electric placed a re-order for another 200 pieces.

HUBBELL Settles Suit Against Elite Lighting

ORANGE, CT. (June 17, 2003) -- Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUBA, HUBB) has favorably settled a lawsuit filed on behalf of its subsidiary, Progress Lighting, Inc., for patent infringement of Hubbell’s US Patent No. 6,357,891 against Elite Lighting Corporation in the US District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles. The patent issued in March 2002 and will last until March 2020. Hubbell had sought preliminary and permanent injunctions as well as unspecified damages.

The patent is for a preassembled, fire resistant, recessed light fixture that is used to maintain a fire resistant rating for ceiling/floor and ceiling/roof structures. Progress Lighting sells the invention under the FIREBOX® trademark and has received UL ratings for these fixtures in incandescent as well as fluorescent versions. Through its related entity Fire Proof, Inc., Defendant Elite Lighting sells the FIREFIGHTER light fixture that was charged with infringement of the Hubbell patent. Richard W. Davies, Vice President and General Counsel of Hubbell Incorporated, wants the lighting industry to take note: "The industry should be aware that Hubbell Incorporated will vigorously defend its intellectual property included in our patents and copyrights."

Hubbell Incorporated is an international manufacturer of quality electrical and electronic products for commercial, industrial, residential, utility, and telecommunications markets. With 2002 revenues of $1.6 billion, Hubbell Incorporated operates manufacturing facilities in North America, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, participates in a joint venture in Taiwan, and maintains sales offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, People’s Republic of China, and the Middle East. The corporate headquarters is located in Orange, CT.