Benesov, Czech Republic – 11 March 2004– Mavel, a.s., a manufacturer of turbines and related technology for hydro-electric power plants, reported that the U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic William Cabaniss spent the day as a guest of Mavel management visiting the company and exploring the town of Benesov.

The day began with a discussion of the fourteen year history of Mavel and a tour of its manufacturing facilities. The Ambassador, who arrived in the Czech Republic as Ambassador in January of this year, was familiar with the production equipment at Mavel as he is owner of a metal machining plant in his home state of Alabama.

The next stop for the Ambassador was town hall where he met with Benesov Mayor Ing. Chromy. Ambassador Cabaniss noted that he had a history of involvement. He was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1978 and four years later to the State Senate.

The Ambassador and his entourage dined at the local Benesov U Zvonice with Mavel management members Ing. Jiri Veis, Ing. Martin Sintak,. Ing. Jan Sip, and Ing. Jeanne Hilsinger, Mayor Chromy, his Vice Mayors and other area businesspersons.

In the afternoon, Ambassador Cabaniss laid a wreath at a local Memorial to commemorate eight murdered WWII American pilots. He later toured the Konepiste Castle.

Mavel a.s. was founded in 1990 as a hydro-engineering firm and added manufacturing capability in 1993. Currently, Mavel provides engineering and all technology, including Kaplan, Francis and Pelton turbines, for hydroelectric power plants from 2 kW to 20 MW.