NEW YORK, July 28, 2008 - Castle Harlan, Inc., the New York private equity investment firm, announced today that it had agreed to sell AmeriCast Technologies, Inc., a North American leader in the design and manufacture of large, complex steel castings, to Bradken Ltd., a leading publicly-traded Australian manufacturer of cast steel and other products, primarily for the mining and railroad industries, in a transaction valued at approximately $288 million.

AmeriCast, based in Atchison, Kansas, has manufacturing facilities there and in St. Joseph, Missouri; Tacoma and Chehalis, Washington; Amite, Louisiana, and London, Ontario, as well as a trading office in Xuzhou, China. The company designs and manufactures large, highly engineered ferrous sand castings, machined components and assemblies for major companies in the energy, mining, railroad and mass transit industries. The majority of the company's products weigh over 10,000 pounds, with the largest weighing in excess of 50,000 pounds.

Howard Morgan, a senior managing director at Castle Harlan who leads the firm's AmeriCast team, said, "AmeriCast has been an excellent investment for Castle Harlan and its limited partners, and we are pleased that we have been able to add significant value to the company during our 21-month period of ownership. Annual EBITDA has grown more than 100 percent through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. We're confident this growth will continue."

Based on the value of this transaction, Castle Harlan and AmeriCast management will realize a collective gain of more than three times on their original invested capital, which represents an IRR of more than 90 percent, Morgan said.

The transaction has received Hart-Scott-Rodino Act governmental approval and is expected to close in the next week. The Company's 11% Notes Due 2014 will remain outstanding after completion of the transaction, in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the notes.

Bradken had purchased a 19 percent minority equity interest in AmeriCast when Castle Harlan acquired a controlling stake in the company in November 2006. Until it went public in August 2004, Bradken had been a portfolio company of Castle Harlan's Australian affiliate CHAMP Private Equity in Sydney. Bradken is based in Newcastle, New South Wales, about 90 miles north of Sydney. Bradken currently has revenues of approximately $800 million. Please refer to its website at www.bradken.com.au.

"We know Bradken very well and have had long relationships with its CEO Brian Hodges, Chairman Nick Greiner, and many of the senior Bradken management team," Morgan said.

Anand Philip, a senior associate who led Castle Harlan's negotiating team on this transaction, adds, "We are confident that, under Bradken's leadership, the company will continue to prosper. Post closing, we intend to support Bradken in its effort to grow AmeriCast and its business in North America." He added that during Castle Harlan's ownership, "we more than doubled growth and productivity-related capital expenditures that should continue to benefit AmeriCast in coming years."

After acquiring AmeriCast in November 2006, Castle Harlan assisted the company in purchasing Atlas Castings and Technology in April 2007 and A.G. Anderson in April of this year. Atlas makes large specialty steel castings for the energy and defense industries; A.G. Anderson produces castings in stainless steel and complex ferrous alloys, primarily for the energy industry. In January 2008, Castle Harlan assisted the company in divesting its Prospect division, which had been identified as non-core to the AmeriCast business.

Taking account of those acquisitions and the divestiture, AmeriCast is expected to have total revenues and EBITDA this year of more than $340 million and $47 million, respectively. When Castle Harlan purchased the company in November 2006, its revenues were below $200 million.

Demonstrating the successful lasting relationship among the parties and their community involvement, Castle Harlan and AmeriCast have agreed to contribute $600,000 to endow the Castle Harlan-AmeriCast Scholarship Fund, which will be dedicated to providing need and merit-based educational scholarships to the children of AmeriCast's approximately 2,000 employees.

Castle Harlan, founded in 1987, invests in controlling interests in the buyout and development of middle-market companies in North America, Europe and, together with CHAMP Private Equity, in Australasia. Since inception, Castle Harlan has invested in 49 companies representing more than $9 billion in enterprise value. Please refer to its website at www.castleharlan.com.

Castle Harlan's current portfolio companies, which employ more than 42,000 people, include Baker & Taylor, the leading global distributor of books and entertainment products to libraries and retailers; United Malt Holdings, one of the world's largest producers of malt for use in the brewing and distilling industries; and Anchor Drilling Fluids USA, Inc., the nation's largest independent provider of drilling fluids and fluid-handling services for onshore oil and gas drilling.

CHAMP Private Equity was formed in 2000 as Castle Harlan Australian Mezzanine Partners by the founders of CHAMP Private Equity's predecessor and Castle Harlan. CHAMP Private Equity and its predecessor have made more than 60 investments since 1987 in companies operating in Australia and New Zealand. CHAMP Private Equity currently maintains offices in Sydney, Australia and Singapore. Please refer to its website at www.champmbo.com.

CHAMP Funds have acquired and successfully exited from investments in a variety of sectors, including Austar United Communications, the satellite TV broadcaster for most of Australia, Australian Pacific Paper Products, Australia's second largest manufacturer and distributor of disposable diapers and adult incontinence products, and Penrice Limited, the only producer of soda ash in Australia.

Current CHAMP portfolio companies include: International Energy Services, Manassen Foods, Healthcare Australia, Study Group International, United Malt Holdings and Blue Star Print Group Limited.

The combined worldwide funds under the management of Castle Harlan and CHAMP Private Equity exceed $4.5 billion.

If you have any questions about the AmeriCast transaction, please contact Chuck Storer at (212) 371-2200, or Howard Morgan or Anand Philip at (212) 644-8600.

NEW YORK, April 2, 2008 - Castle Harlan, Inc., the New York private equity investment firm, announced today that its portfolio company, AmeriCast Technologies, Inc., a North American leader in the design and manufacture of large, complex steel castings, has purchased A.G. Anderson Ltd., a widely respected foundry in London, Ontario, that produces castings in large steel, stainless steel and complex ferrous alloys, primarily for the energy industry.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The combined company will have annual revenues of more than $335 million. David Anderson, the president of A.G. Anderson, will continue in that position and own a stake in AmeriCast.

It was the second significant acquisition AmeriCast has made since Castle Harlan acquired it in November 2006. In April 2007, AmeriCast bought Atlas Castings and Technology, which makes large specialty steel castings for the energy and defense industries.

Howard Morgan, a senior managing director at Castle Harlan who heads the firm's AmeriCast team, said the Anderson acquisition was an excellent fit for AmeriCast in many ways.

"It will strengthen AmeriCast's product offerings significantly," he said, "by expanding its capacity in mid-range large complex castings and broadening the range of alloys, technical expertise and pattern-making that it can offer to AmeriCast customers."

Anand Philip, a senior associate who led Castle Harlan's negotiating team, said the Anderson operation will be integrated and coordinated with the operations of London Precision Machining, an AmeriCast division also located in London, Ontario, a move that is expected to result in meaningful benefits for the combined AmeriCast organization and its customers.

AmeriCast Technologies, Inc. (www.americasttech.com) is a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of large highly engineered complex ferrous sand castings, machined components and assemblies through its six North American production facilities. AmeriCast casts large and difficult-to-manufacture parts and is a critical supplier to Fortune 50 manufacturers in the energy, mining, locomotive and mass transit industries. AmeriCast now comprises six wholly owned business units: Atchison Steel Castings, based in Atchison, Kansas, and St. Joseph, Missouri; Atlas Castings and Technology in Tacoma and Chehalis, Washington; AmeriCast Global Services; Amite Foundry near New Orleans; London Precision Machining in London, Ontario; and A.G. Anderson in London, Ontario.

Castle Harlan, founded in 1987, invests in controlling interests in the buyout and development of middle-market companies in North America, Europe and, together with CHAMP Private Equity, in Australasia. Castle Harlan has completed 48 acquisitions (excluding add-ons) since its inception with a total value of more than $9 billion. CHAMP Private Equity has completed 14 acquisitions since 2000.

Castle Harlan's current portfolio companies, which employ more than 42,000 people, include United Malt Holdings, one of the world's largest producers of malt used in the brewing and distilling industries; Ames True Temper, a leading manufacturer of lawn and garden tools and accessories; and Baker & Taylor, the leading global distributor of books and entertainment products to libraries and retailers.

NEW YORK, April 9, 2007 - Castle Harlan, the New York-based private equity investment firm, announced today that its portfolio company, AmeriCast Technologies, a leader in the design and manufacture of large, complex steel castings primarily for the heavy construction, mining and rail industries, has completed the acquisition Atlas Castings and Technology, a leader in the manufacture of specialty steel castings for the energy and defense industries.

The combined company will have annual revenues in excess of $300 million.

AmeriCast, based in Atchison, Kansas, makes highly engineered steel castings, some weighing more than 60,000 pounds. Its customers include Caterpillar, Electro-Motive Diesel and General Electric. It had revenues in calendar 2006 of $206 million, an increase of 11 percent from the previous year.

Atlas is based in Tacoma, Washington, and has metal-casting and machining facilities there and in Chehalis, Washington. It produces castings of up to 40,000 pounds, primarily for the oil and gas industry and for nuclear and fossil-fuel power generation, as well as for the U.S. Navy. Its revenues for calendar 2006 were $89 million, an increase of 6 percent from 2005.

Howard Morgan, senior managing director at Castle Harlan, and Erica Tsai, Castle Harlan associate, who lead the firm's negotiating team, said in a statement: "Atlas has a clear leadership position in its industries and possesses outstanding technical capabilities. The merger of these two companies gives the combined business a strong strategic balance of industries and customers."

Castle Harlan, along with management and Bradken Operations Pty. Ltd., an Australian steel products manufacturer, had purchased AmeriCast last November in a transaction valued at $110 million. Bradken is a former portfolio company of Castle Harlan's Australian affiliate, CHAMP Private Equity.

Castle Harlan, Bradken, and members of the senior management of both AmeriCast and Atlas invested in AmeriCast's acquisition of Atlas. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

AmeriCast Technologies, Inc. (www.americasttech.com) is a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of highly engineered steel and iron sand castings, machined components and assemblies. AmeriCast casts large and difficult-to-manufacture parts and is a critical supplier to Fortune 50 manufacturers in the locomotive, mass transit, mining, construction and heavy-duty truck industries.

The company now operates six business units: Atchison Steel Castings based in Atchison, Kansas, and St. Joseph, Missouri; Amite Foundry based outside of New Orleans, Louisiana; Prospect Foundry based in Minneapolis, Minnesota; London Precision Machining based in London, Ontario; AmeriCast Global Services, and Atlas Castings and Technology. All of the units report to Tom Armstrong, the chief executive officer of AmeriCast.

Castle Harlan, founded in 1987, invests in controlling interests in the buyout and development of middle-market companies in North America and Europe. Its team of 20 investment professionals has completed 48 acquisitions since its inception with a total value of $9 billion. The firm traces its roots to the start of the institutionalized private-equity business in the late 1960s.

Castle Harlan's current portfolio companies, which employ more than 42,000 people, include Ames True Temper, a leading manufacturer of lawn and garden tools and accessories; RathGibson, a leader in the manufacture of stainless steel and high alloy precision-welded tubing, and Perkins & Marie Callender's, Inc., which operates and franchises 618 family restaurants in the United States and Canada.

NEW YORK, November 21, 2006 - Castle Harlan, Inc., the New York private equity investment firm, announced today it has completed the purchase of AmeriCast Technologies, Inc., a North American leader in the design and manufacture of large, complex steel castings, in a transaction valued at $110 million.

An agreement to make the acquisition was announced just last week. Other participants in the acquisition included AmeriCast's management and Bradken Operations Pty. Ltd., an Australian steel products manufacturer and a former portfolio company of Castle Harlan's Australian affiliate. The seller was KPS Special Situation Funds, also a New York private equity firm.

AmeriCast is based in Atchison, Kansas, and has manufacturing facilities there and four other cities in the United States and Canada. It makes highly engineered steel castings, most of which generally weigh more than 10,000 pounds; the largest may weigh more than 60,000 pounds.

AmeriCast has a leading share of the U.S. market for large steel castings. Its customers include Caterpillar, Electro-Motive Diesel and General Electric. The castings are used in such products as large mining trucks and locomotives.

AmeriCast was acquired by Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P., a private equity investment fund organized and managed by Castle Harlan. The fund closed in August 2003 with capital commitments of $1.2 billion. It is now approximately 66 percent invested.

Castle Harlan, founded in 1987, invests in controlling interests in the buyout and development of middle-market companies in North America and Europe. Its team of 19 investment professionals has completed 48 acquisitions since its inception with a total value in excess of $8 billion. The firm traces its roots to the start of the institutionalized private-equity business in the late 1960s.

Castle Harlan's current portfolio companies, which employ more than 53,000 people, include the Polypipe Group, a leading supplier of plastic pipe systems in the United Kingdom and Ireland; Ames True Temper, a leading manufacturer of lawn and garden tools and accessories; and Perkins & Marie Callender's, Inc., which operates and franchises 618 family restaurants in the United States and Canada.

Castle Harlan Australian Mezzanine Partners Pty Limited ("CHAMP Private Equity") was formed in 2000 and is Australasia's oldest and largest independent manager of private equity funds. It is adviser to the CHAMP I and CHAMP II funds, which have funds of approximately A$1.5 billion for investment in buyouts in Australasia.

NEW YORK, November 14, 2006 - Castle Harlan, Inc., the New York private equity firm, announced today that an investment fund it manages has agreed to acquire AmeriCast Technologies, Inc., a North American leader in the design and manufacture of large, complex steel castings. The transaction was valued at $110 million. The seller is KPS Special Situations Funds, also a New York private equity firm.

AmeriCast, based in Atchison, Kansas, produces highly engineered steel castings, with most of its volume from products over 10,000 pounds and the largest weighing 65,000 pounds. The company has a leading market share in the U.S market for large steel castings, and its customers include Caterpillar, Electro-Motive Diesel, and General Electric. End products for AmeriCast's castings include large mining trucks and locomotives. The company has five business units in North America.

Howard D. Morgan, a Castle Harlan senior managing director who led the firm's acquisition team, said the company has an experienced management team and strong growth prospects.

"AmeriCast has a proud heritage that dates back to 1872," Morgan said. "The company has been increasing its capacity and utilization, and its backlog of orders has been steadily expanding. Annual net sales are more than $200 million and continuing to grow," Morgan said.

"The business will be very well capitalized," Morgan said, "and has cash and an untapped revolving loan to invest prudently to meet customer needs."

Tom Armstrong, President and CEO of AmeriCast, said, "AmeriCast's management team is very excited about Castle Harlan's purchase of our company. This transition has always been part of the long-range plan. We couldn't be more pleased to partner with Castle Harlan, a firm with an outstanding reputation and rich history. Their investment, coupled with their and Bradken's experience in our industry, will help us reach the next stage of our company's continued growth"

AmeriCast's management will hold an equity stake in the company, as will Bradken, a publicly traded Australian company. Bradken is the leading provider of cast steel products to the mining and freight rail sectors in Australia, and is a former portfolio company of CHAMP Private Equity, a Castle Harlan affiliate in Australia. Brian Hodges, CEO of Bradken, will be a member of AmeriCast's board of directors.

"AmeriCast's Atchison foundry in Kansas holds a key strategic position in the large steel castings market, producing products for major blue chip customers," Hodges said. "The business possesses strong, unique technical skills, and we think it will be an excellent investment with good visibility and long term potential."

Michael Psaros, managing principal of KPS Special Situations Funds, said, "AmeriCast is a terrific company. When we created AmeriCast in December 2003, we saw the value in the assets, and the company is now on a solid growth trajectory. We are pleased to turn over the reins to Castle Harlan and its team."

AmeriCast will be acquired by Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P., a private equity investment fund organized and managed by Castle Harlan. The fund closed in August 2003 with capital commitments of $1.2 billion. It is now approximately 66 percent invested.

Castle Harlan, founded in 1987, invests in controlling interests in the buyout and development of middle-market companies in North America and Europe. Its team of 19 investment professionals has completed 47 acquisitions since its inception with a total value in excess of $8 billion. The firm traces its roots to the start of the institutionalized private-equity business in the late 1960s.

Castle Harlan's current portfolio companies, which employ more than 53,000 people, include the Polypipe Group, a leading supplier of plastic pipe systems in the United Kingdom and Ireland; Ames True Temper, a leading manufacturer of lawn and garden tools and accessories; and Perkins & Marie Callender's, Inc., which operates and franchises 618 family restaurants in the United States and Canada.

Castle Harlan Australian Mezzanine Partners Pty Limited ("CHAMP Private Equity") was formed in 2000 and is Australasia's oldest and largest independent manager of private equity funds. It is adviser to the CHAMP I and CHAMP II funds, which have funds of approximately A$1.5 billion for investment in buyouts in Australasia.