Blount International Continues Innovation Success with New PowerSharp(R) Precision Saw Chain Sharpening System

PORTLAND, Ore., March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Blount International, Inc. (NYSE: BLT) has introduced PowerSharp®,  a patent pending saw chain sharpening system under the OREGON®  brand which will be available in thousands of retail outlets this year. PowerSharp incorporates a specially engineered high performance saw chain, guide bar, and portable sharpening attachment that combine to enable consumers to sharpen saw chain while still on the saw in just seconds. The heart of the system is a pair of diamond coated dresser links that maintains the geometry of the sharpening stone, enabling the saw chain to realize optimal cutting performance throughout the life of the chain.

"PowerSharp will make a landmark impact on the chain saw industry," said Jake VanderZanden, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Blount. "For at least 50 years our customers have been asking us for a fast and easy solution for dull saw chain. PowerSharp is the result of intensive research and focused development."

PowerSharp is the most recent product to be launched through Blount's business development group, a business unit specifically to develop and commercialize innovative products into the forestry, lawn & garden, and construction markets.

Josh Collins, President and CEO, stated, "We believe that over the next decade, growth in our consumer categories will be driven by emissions reduction, safety, and ease of use, as manifested through high-performance cordless technology. We are working hard through our business development group to develop products to fill these consumer needs. PowerSharp is the first of these innovations, and we expect to unveil more over the next year."

Blount International, Inc., a diversified international company whose principal business is its Outdoor Products segment, is the world's largest manufacturer of saw chain and related accessories with manufacturing plants in the United States, Canada, Brazil and China.  Blount sells its products in more than 100 countries around the world. For more information about Blount, please visit our website at http://www.blount.com. For more information on PowerSharp, please visit http://powersharp.com/.

Forward looking statements in this release, including without limitation the Company's "expectations," "beliefs," "plans," "indications," and their variants, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, are based upon available information and upon assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable; however, these forward looking statements involve certain risks and should not be considered indicative of actual results that the Company may achieve in the future.

SOURCE Blount International, Inc.