Brady Corporation acquires custom-label and nameplate manufacturer in Brazil MILWAUKEE (December 23, 2009)--Brady Corporation (NYSE:BRC), a world leader in identification solutions and specialty materials, today announced that it has acquired Stickolor Industria e Comercio de Auto Adesivos Ltda., Saġ Paulo, Brazil. Details of the transaction are not being disclosed. Founded in 1978, Stickolor manufactures screen-printed custom labels, overlays and nameplates for automobiles, tractors, motorcycles, electronics, white goods and general industrial markets. With sales of approximately $9 million (US), the company currently employs about 90 people. Brady expects this acquisition to further strengthen its position in the industrial identification market in Brazil and enhance its screen printing capabilities, as well as facilitate its growth into complimentary markets in the region including automotive, agricultural equipment and major appliances. “Stickolor is known for its superior screen-printing capabilities and exceptional quality, and we are excited to be able to offer their products and services to our customers as well as bring new Brady products to their customer base. Their markets and capabilities are complimentary to Brady’s and their focus on teamwork and customer service is a strong cultural fit to Brady’s philosophy of value creation,” said Matt Williamson, president, Brady Americas. “We look forward to working with the Stickolor team, and are optimistic about the opportunities to further grow our business in Brazil where the economy remains relatively strong.” Brady opened W.H.B. do Brasil, Ltda. as a sales and marketing office in 1996, and established manufacturing in the region in 1998 with the acquisition of VEB Sistemas de Etiquetas Ltda. in Saġ Paulo. In 2002, it expanded its operations in Latin America with a second manufacturing facility in Manaus, Brazil; and acquired Etiquetas Asterisco in Saġ Paulo in 2006. Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect premises, products and people. Its products help customers increase safety, security, productivity and performance and include high-performance labels and signs, safety devices, printing systems and software, and precision die-cut materials. Founded in 1914, the company has more than 500,000 customers in electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, education, medical and a variety of other industries. Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee and employs approximately 7,000 people at operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia/Pacific. Brady’s fiscal 2009 sales were approximately $1.2 billion. Brady stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BRC. More information is available on the Internet at www.bradycorp.com and www.stickolor.com.br . ### Brady believes that certain statements in this news release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements related to future, not past, events included in this news release, including, without limitation, statements regarding Brady’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond Brady’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from the length or severity of the current worldwide economic downturn or timing or strength of a subsequent recovery; future financial performance of major markets Brady serves, which include, without limitation, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, laboratory, education, governmental, public utility, computer, transportation; difficulties in making and integrating acquisitions; risks associated with newly acquired businesses; Brady’s ability to develop and successfully market new products; changes in the supply of, or price for, parts and components; increased price pressure from suppliers and customers; fluctuations in currency rates versus the US dollar; unforeseen tax consequences; potential write-offs of Brady’s substantial intangible assets; Brady’s ability to retain significant contracts and customers; risks associated with international operations; Brady’s ability to attract and retain key talent; Brady’s ability to maintain compliance with its debt covenants; technology changes; business interruptions due to implementing business systems; environmental, health and safety compliance costs and liabilities; future competition; interruptions to sources of supply; Brady’s ability to realize cost savings from operating initiatives; difficulties associated with exports; risks associated with restructuring plans; risks associated with obtaining governmental approvals and maintaining regulatory compliance for new and existing products; and numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Brady’s U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section located in Item 1A of Part I of Brady’s Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2009. These uncertainties may cause Brady’s actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.