Fifth Generation Company Appoints Rob Cook as First Non-Family President to Lead the Speakman Company

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 8, 2010 -- New Castle, Del. February 8, 2010—The company that supplies showerheads to most of the well known US hotels has appointed Rob Cook as its sixth president and first non-family member to lead the company in its 141 year history. Cook comes to Speakman from Vistage International (formerly TEC), a peer to peer business leadership organization. As a Vistage Chair covering the Mid-Atlantic States, he led a CEO peer group of small to mid-size companies and was recognized in 2009 with a Vistage Chair of Excellence Award for his distinguished service.

Cook will direct the ongoing growth initiatives in Speakman’s heritage businesses in commercial plumbing and residential shower and bath. He will also oversee the company’s new ventures; a DTC (direct to consumer) e-commerce web-site, www.speakmanshowers.com, a growing Beijing, China sales office and a high efficiency air conditioning business, Cooling Solutions. Speakman Cooling Solutions was recently selected by Resorts World Sentosa to provide advanced evaporative coolers for the Universal Studios theme park in Singapore.

“It is a very exciting time to join the Speakman Company,” said Cook, “I look forward to building on the company’s recent success. We have a great brand name and a lot of opportunity to grow.”

Rodman Ward III, who will continue as Speakman Company’s chairman, said Cook is well suited to lead the company. “As a member of Vistage, I have worked closely with Rob for the past four years. He has also managed his own sales company and worked in sales and marketing for W.L. Gore & Associates. These direct experiences in addition to his proven leadership skills will make a big difference as we look to achieve our growth goals.”

About Speakman

The Speakman Company was founded in 1869 as a plumbing pipefitting company. Retaining its independent and privately held status, Speakman has forged a reputation for continuous product innovation and quality leadership. Speakman’s world famous Anystream™ showerheads are lauded by Forbes magazine’s list of “100 things worth every penny” and used in many fine hotels including Marriott, Sheraton, Westin and Hilton. Today Speakman continues to manufacture high quality commercial plumbing products, innovative emergency equipment and exceptional hospitality & residential showerheads. Speakman’s products are registered to ISO 9001:2000, for more information on Speakman, please visit our web site at www.speakmancompany.com or call 1-800-537-2107. ###

Rob Cook     Rod Ward     Speakman Company