Verbatim® Corporation and its parent company Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), purchase substantially all of the assets of SmartDisk® Corporation’s external hard drive (HD) and digital imaging business. The acquisition, which includes physical assets, patents, trademarks, technology, engineering and marketing expertise, was effective on June 30, 2007.

The Verbatim brand is recognized worldwide for delivering data storage solutions with the latest technologies, the highest quality, and features that add value for the consumer. The company’s role as an innovator is especially apparent in the magnetic and optical storage markets where it has been known as a pioneer for more than 30 years. Verbatim is also enjoying an increasing presence in the global portable storage market. As part of its corporate strategy to capitalize on this trend and complement its existing portable storage product line, the company purchased SmartDisk’s hard drive and imaging assets. NPD reported that SmartDisk had a 16 percent market share in the US retail portable drive market in 2006.

By combining its worldwide brand strength and its new assets, Verbatim will offer an expanded line of optical, magnetic and flash products that meet the diverse storage needs of consumers and businesses around the globe.

“The acquisition of SmartDisk’s external and portable hard drive business assets is complementary to Verbatim’s existing business,” said Shigenori Otsuka, president of MKM. “Plans are already underway to leverage these assets and Verbatim’s heritage to quickly extend our global leadership in the removable storage and related accessories markets. Today’s consumers and business professionals need the full range of removable and portable storage options – hard disk, optical and flash. Now, we can meet all of their storage requirements with a complete family of highly reliable, technically advanced solutions that are also cost-effective.”

The need for a fast, easy way to store, share and transport data files, presentations, photos, music and video is fueling explosive growth in the worldwide removable storage industry. “The SmartDisk brand is well established in the US and Canadian markets,” said Michael Battaglia, president and CEO for SMDK Corporation, formerly SmartDisk Corp.

“Verbatim’s and MKM’s resources will promote the global reach necessary to compete on a worldwide basis. We are confident that Verbatim’s support will continue to ensure strong growth for our former suppliers and customers.”

About Verbatim and MKM

Verbatim’s businesses in the Americas, Eumea and Asia Pacific regions are wholly owned subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Kagaku Media Co., Ltd.. MKM’s parent company, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC), is Japan's largest chemical company. Verbatim develops and markets innovative, high-quality products for storing, moving and using digital content. Known for its leadership in the optical, magnetic and flash storage and related accessories markets, the company provides reliable, unique technologies and products that are highly sought after and broadly distributed worldwide. Verbatim products are distributed by Astech Pengson Distributors Incorporated in the Philippines. Astech Pengson has offices in MetroManila, Cebu and Davao.

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