Flow International Signs Multi-Million Dollar Contract With Airbus Spain

KENT, Wash., July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Flow International Corporation (Nasdaq: FLOW), the world's leading developer and manufacturer of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) waterjet technology, today announced it has been awarded its second multi-million dollar contract to manufacture and install a multi-axis Composite Machining Center (CMC), abrasive waterjet and routing machine tool system for Airbus Spain's use on the A320 program.

Airbus Illescas Plant will use the new Flow waterjet system to machine composite horizontal stabilizers structures for the A320 when the system is delivered in around 10 months. Within Airbus, Spain is responsible for design and manufacture of the rear end of the aircraft.

The use of waterjet cutting of composite materials provides many distinct benefits. Waterjets are a clean non-contact cutting and trimming technology that allows the use of flexible, programmable tooling, in lieu of expensive hard tooling for each individual part. As a result, this system dramatically reduces set up time and saves money. Waterjets eliminate the potential for the delamination of composite materials, which can occur with conventional cutting techniques.

Flow's development of the CMC waterjet machining center was used initially in developing stealth aircraft, but is now realizing wide-scale commercialization in the aircraft industry. The result of these efforts has produced composite machining systems such as the Flow CMC system for Airbus, with productivity levels significantly higher than conventional methods and even higher gains in quality.

About Flow International

Flow International Corporation is the world's leading developer and manufacturer of ultrahigh-pressure waterjet technology for cutting and cleaning. Flow provides state-of-the-art ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) technology to numerous industries including automotive, aerospace, job shop, surface preparation, food and dozens more. For more information, visit http://www.flowcorp.com.

About Airbus

Airbus is one of the world's leading commercial aircraft manufacturers. Since its inception, it has been designing and manufacturing innovative aircraft and has now delivered over 4,700 aircraft to around 275 operators worldwide.

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to future events or future financial performance that involves risks and uncertainties. The words "proves", "potential", "believed", "possibly", or variation of such words and expressions identify forward-looking statements but their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward looking. These statements are only predictions and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these statements based on a number of risk factors, including those set forth in the April 30, 2005 Flow International Corporation Form 10-K/A Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding future use of the system, the future role of Airbus Spain, and the benefits of waterjet cutting of composite parts. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this announcement.

    Contact:
    Charles Brown
    President and CEO
    Flow International Corporation
    253-850-3500

    or

    Michael Ruppenthal
    Vice President Marketing and Product Management
    Flow International Corporation
    253-850-3500