FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALPHA TECHNOLOGIES EXPANDS ATLANTA OPERATIONS

Bellingham, Wash., November 17, 1998 - In a continuing effort to better serve its current and future customer base, leading power supply manufacturer Alpha Technologies has significantly expanded its Atlanta operations.

The new facility more than doubles previous operations in the region and will provide greatly enhanced service to customers on the eastern seaboard. “Alpha will continue to assemble power systems and enclosures in the new facility, but the volume and variety will be increased. Alpha’s new, state-of-the-art XM2 CableUPS will be produced in Atlanta, as well as other locations,” commented Jim Capellman, Senior Vice President of Operations at Alpha.

The newly expanded Atlanta facility allows Alpha Technologies to have more effective interactions with their customers located in the eastern half of the United States. There are now stronger regional engineering and technical resources available to customers. “Future initiatives in the Telecommunications, System Integration, and Customer Service areas will be supported from this facility, as those business areas continue to grow and take shape on the East Coast,” said Dennis Kent, plant manager of the new facility.

The new Alpha facility is located in Shawnee Ridge, a 587-acre business park in Gwinnett County, strategically located in the northeast quadrant of the metro area in Atlanta. The 52,000 square foot facility is made up of 6,000 sq. ft. of office and 46,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing, warehouse and customer service space.

Alpha Technologies Inc. develops power conversion, protection and standby products for telecommunications and cable television industries, including custom, application-specific power solutions. In addition to product development, Alpha Technologies provides a comprehensive range of installation and maintenance services to support its global customer base. Alpha Technologies is a member of The Alpha Group of companies.

The Alpha Group represents a global alliance of independent companies that share a common philosophy - create world-class powering solutions for communication, commercial, industrial and renewable energy markets.

For this and/or additional information in electronic form, go to www.alpha.com.