Benesov, Czech Republic - 29 March 2000 - Mavel a.s. ("Mavel" or "the Company"), a manufacturer and provider of technology for small hydroelectric power plants, announces the acquisition of CKD TurboTechnics s.r.o. during the 1999 year.

CKD TurboTechnics specializes in the design and manufacturer of Pelton and Francis turbines for hydroplants of up to 20MW. Mavel purchased the company from EnergoPro a.s., a Czech company specializing in the operation of hydro-electric power plants in the Czech Republic.

"The purchase of CKD TurboTechnics allows Mavel to offer a full range of turbines to our customers," according to Jan Sip, Co-founder and Director of Production at Mavel. "The combination of Mavel and CKD TurboTechnics allows us to offer technology solutions for all hydro-plants using Kaplan, Francis or Pelton Turbines and producing up to 20MW."

Mavel a.s. was founded in 1990 as an engineering firm specializing in hydro-electric power technology. The Company reinvested profits to develop its own manufacturing capabilities in Benesov, Czech Republic. Currently, Mavel offers clients everything from technical and economic feasibility of plant sites to complete engineering, design, manufacture and installation of new or refurbished hydro electric power plants. The Company focuses on plants of up to 20MW using Mavel standard or customized Kaplan, Francis, Pelton and CrossFlow turbines.

Sales have averaged over 40% annual growth over the past five years bringing estimated sales for the year 1999 to 170 million czk. The top management team includes Ing. Jiri Veis, Ing. Martin Sintak, Ing. Jan Sip and Ing. Jeanne Hilsinger. Mavel is owned by management/founders and CzechTech Investments LLC, a U.S.-based partnership.