Eaton Opens New Global Innovation Center

Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation (NYSE:ETN) joined today with its partners at CzechInvest and the Czech Technical University (CVUT) to announce the opening in Prague of Eaton’s newest global Innovation Center. The new facility at Roztoky Science & Technology Center will be Eaton's first global innovation center in Europe and fifth in the company's global network of advanced innovation centers, also located in the United States, India and China.

The Innovation Center will conduct cutting-edge research focused on the development of more energy-efficient power systems and the electrification of transportation, vehicle and aircraft applications. Working closely with its partners at the CVUT, Eaton plans to recruit up to 50 highly skilled engineers within the first year of the facility’s opening and to increase the total workforce to about 300 in the next four to five years.

The European Innovation Center will serve Eaton’s regional global customers such as Škoda Auto, VW Group, E.ON, HP and Czech Railways to develop next generation power management solutions that make electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power operate more efficiently, effectively, safely and sustainably.

Miroslav Křížek, General Director, CzechInvest highlighted the importance of Eaton’s announcement to the Czech Republic. “The opening of Eaton’s Innovation Center in Prague is one of the most significant inward investments of recent times into the Czech Republic. This is not only about the creation of 300 highly skilled jobs, but also a vote of confidence in the ability of the country’s engineers to deliver world-class innovation.”

Lennart Jonsson, Executive Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer at Eaton Corporation, highlighted the central challenge the facility will address. “Eaton’s new Global Innovation Center in Prague will not only develop technologies that contribute to the reductions in carbon emissions necessary to stabilize the global climate, but also help significantly reduce operating costs for customers in energy-intensive industries from transportation to information technology. This is important because by 2050, global energy demand will double, however to limit global temperature rises to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, CO2 emissions must be halved. According to the respected International Energy Agency (IEA), 60% of this target must be met by energy-efficient technologies – representing a total incremental investment of $10.5 trillion by 2030.”

Yannis Tsavalas, Eaton’s President for Europe Middle East and Africa explained why the decision was taken to locate the facility in Prague. “We chose to locate the Innovation Center in Prague for several reasons, but most important for us were the city’s close proximity to many of our customers in the region, world-class engineering talent from the Czech Technical University and the strong support and involvement of Czech authorities. The new facility will also build on Eaton’s existing operations in the Czech Republic, which include our Vehicle Group manufacturing facility in Chomutov and Electrical facilities in Prague and Suchdol nad Luznici.”

About Eaton in the Czech Republic

Eaton’s Czech operations began in 1993 when they were known as Felton & Guileaume, which was subsequently acquired by Moeller GmbH in 1998. Eaton acquired Moeller in 2008. Eaton employs around 1,700 people across facilities in Prague, Suchdol nad Luznici, Pohorelice and Chomutov. Eaton facilities in the Czech Republic serve local and global customers including: VW Group, Volvo, E.ON, HP, IBM and Czech Railways.

About Eaton Corporation

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2010 sales of $13.7 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 73,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

Eaton was named in 2011 a Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global Innovator for its achievements as one of the world’s most innovative companies.

For more information please contact the CzechInvest Press Centre

Štěpánka Filipová, spokesperson, phone: +420 296 342 538, stepanka.filipova@czechinvest.org

Contact to Eaton Corporation:

Jonathan Dinkeldein, Corporate Communications, +41 79 581 7809

Contact to Ogilvy:

Miroslav Toman, Ogilvy Public Relations, +420 603 489 902