LSI Industries Inc. Announces the Addition of Howa

CINCINNATI, March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LSI Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: LYTS ) today announced the appointment of Howard (“Howie”) E. Japlon to the position of Executive Vice President, Human Resources and General Counsel, effective March 13, 2017.  Prior to joining LSI, Mr. Japlon served as Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary at ACE Hardware Corporation.  Previous employers include RG Steel, LLC and Schneider Electric.  Mr. Japlon received a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign – Urbana and a B.A., Economics from Fordham University, New York City.

Mr. Japlon commented, “I am excited to join LSI Industries and am impressed with the progress the LSI team has made to turn the company around in recent years.  I look forward to contributing as LSI moves into a period of sustained growth.”

Dennis W. Wells, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented, “I am very pleased to welcome Mr. Japlon to LSI Industries.  Howie is a seasoned leader with experience in the areas of corporate law, human resources, mergers and acquisitions, and strategy.  He has a strong background in manufacturing, distribution and services, including safety programs.  His human resources background includes the development and management of compensation and benefit programs.  I have worked with Howie in the past at Square D Company (now Schneider Electric), and am certain that his background will prove valuable as LSI continues to grow.”   

Mr. Wells continued, “With this new hire, Paul Foster, Executive Vice President, LSI Business System, will be able to direct his focus on the integration of Atlas Lighting Products, Inc.  Paul took the lead on much of the pre-integration planning for this acquisition, and he is now maintaining an office at the Atlas Lighting facility.  I am pleased to report that early integration efforts are going well, the acquisition continues to be well-received in our markets, and we remain optimistic about the synergies this combination will provide to LSI.  Paul’s efforts with the LSI Business System have resulted in continuous improvement and improved efficiencies throughout the Company. I am confident that his leadership during the integration process will ensure a smooth transition of Atlas into the LSI family.” 

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This document contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous assumptions, risks or uncertainties.  The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “estimates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should” or the negative versions of those words and similar expressions, and by the context in which they are used.  Such statements, whether expressed or implied, are based upon current expectations of the Company and speak only as of the date made.  Actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of risks and uncertainties over which the Company may have no control.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of competitive products and services, product demand and market acceptance risks, potential costs associated with litigation and regulatory compliance, reliance on key customers, financial difficulties experienced by customers, the cyclical and seasonal nature of our business, the adequacy of reserves and allowances for doubtful accounts, fluctuations in operating results or costs whether as a result of uncertainties inherent in tax and accounting matters or otherwise, failure of an acquisition or acquired company to achieve its plans or objectives generally, unexpected difficulties in integrating acquired businesses, the ability to retain key employees of acquired businesses, unfavorable economic and market conditions, the results of asset impairment assessments, the ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, the ability to remediate any material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and any other risk factors that are identified herein.  You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.  In addition to the factors described in this paragraph, the risk factors identified in our Form 10-K and other filings the Company may make with the SEC constitute risks and uncertainties that may affect the financial performance of the Company and are incorporated herein by reference.  The Company does not undertake and hereby disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

About the Company

We are a customer-centric company that positions itself as a value-added, trusted partner in developing superior image solutions through our world-class lighting, graphics, and technology capabilities.  Our core strategy of "Lighting + Graphics + Technology = Complete Image Solutions" differentiates us from our competitors.

We are committed to advancing solid-state LED technology to make affordable, high performance, energy-efficient lighting and custom graphic products that bring value to our customers.  We have a vast offering of innovative solutions for virtually any lighting or graphics application.  In addition, we provide sophisticated lighting and energy management control solutions to help customers manage their energy performance.  Further, we provide a full range of design support, engineering, installation and project management services to our customers. 

We are a vertically integrated U.S.-based manufacturer concentrating on serving customers in North America and Latin America.  Our major markets include commercial / industrial lighting, petroleum / convenience store and multi-site retail (including automobile dealerships, restaurants and national retail accounts).  Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, LSI has facilities in Ohio, California, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina and Texas.  The Company’s common shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol LYTS.

For further information, contact Dennis Wells, Chief Executive Officer at (513) 793-3200.

Additional note:   Today’s news release, along with past releases from LSI Industries, is available on the Company’s internet site at www.lsi-industries.com  or by email or fax, by calling the Investor Relations Department at (513) 793-3200. 

CONTACT: DENNIS WELLS (513) 793-3200