LSI Industries to Expand International Sales Efforts

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LSI Industries to Expand International Sales Efforts

March 22, 2010: 10:13 AM ET

CNN Money.com

CINCINNATI, March 22, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LSI Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:LYTS) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Fred Jalbout, former principal shareholder and President of SACO Technologies Inc. (acquired by LSI in June 2006) and current President of LSI Saco Technologies, for representation of LSI Industries' LED products in European and Middle Eastern markets. LSI International, the name of Mr. Jalbout's new company, will be headquartered in France and will have an exclusive distributor-agent relationship with LSI Industries. The focus of LSI International will be to promote LSI Industries' solid-state LED lighting and video screen products. LSI Industries will not have any control of, nor any investment or ownership in LSI International, which will be funded by Mr. Jalbout. LSI International is currently defining product specifications for the European and Middle East Markets and LSI Industries is pursuing KEMA and other European and specific country certifications for certain of its lighting fixtures. Mr. Jalbout will resign his employment with LSI Industries effective March 31, 2010 to become fully engaged in the development of the business of LSI International in European and Middle Eastern markets.

Robert J. Ready, President and CEO, commented, "This move to an International presence is a very important part of our strategic plan. With our line of energy-saving LED lighting products, digital electronic boards for the entertainment, sports, and advertising markets, and Fred's strong International background, we believe this direction will provide an exciting new growth opportunity for LSI. We have spent close to a year getting the company ready for this move and I am pleased to say we are ready to go."

Fred Jalbout stated, "After a year of extensive studies about the International market, especially in Europe and the Middle East, the feedback I received from consulting engineers and designers was extremely positive with regard to LSI's products and underlying technology. From a quality and design point of view, what stands out about LSI's new designs are their uniqueness and performance. In addition to this, my experience in International Business and being a pioneer in the development and the marketing of solid-state LED products for more than 25 years now, I was excited about the opportunity to promote LSI's products on the International front.

The European and Middle Eastern markets are a potential new growth platform for LSI in the coming years. We intend to capitalize on LSI Industries' success in North America in niche markets and I am very confident that we will succeed in building LSI's reputation as a leader in International markets for solid-state LED Lighting and Video Screens. Our goal is to transform LSI into a worldwide brand."

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This document contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous assumptions, risks or uncertainties. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "guidance," "forecasts," "estimates," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "expects," "intends," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "should" or the negative versions of those words and similar expressions, and by the context in which they are used. Such statements are based upon current expectations of the Company and speak only as of the date made. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of competitive products and services, product demand and market acceptance risks, reliance on key customers, financial difficulties experienced by customers, potential costs associated with litigation and regulatory compliance, the adequacy of reserves and allowances for doubtful accounts, fluctuations in operating results or costs, unexpected difficulties in integrating acquired businesses, the cyclical and seasonal nature of our business, the ability to retain key employees of acquired businesses and any other factors that may be identified in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 10-K. The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

About the Company

LSI Industries is an Image Solutions company, dedicated to advancing solid-state LED technology in lighting and graphics applications. We combine integrated technology, design, and manufacturing to supply high quality, environmentally friendly lighting fixtures and graphics elements for commercial, retail and specialty niche market applications. LSI is a U.S. manufacturer with marketing / sales efforts throughout the world with concentration currently on North American, South American, Asian, Australian, New Zealand and European markets.

Building upon its success with the Crossover® LED canopy fixture, LSI is committed to producing affordable, high performance, energy efficient lighting products, including solid-state LED light fixtures, for indoor and outdoor use. The Company also designs, produces, markets and manages a wide array of custom indoor and outdoor graphics programs including signage, menu board systems, decorative fixturing, LED displays and digital signage, and large format billboard and sports screens using solid-state LED technology. In addition, we provide design support, engineering, installation and project management for custom rollout programs for today's retail environment. The Company's technology R&D operation located in Montreal, Canada designs, produces and supports high performance light engines and large format billboard, sports and entertainment video screens using solid-state LED technology.

LSI's major markets are the commercial / industrial lighting, petroleum / convenience store, multi-site retail (including automobile dealerships, restaurants and national retail accounts), sports and entertainment markets. LSI employs approximately 1,300 people in facilities located in Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Texas and Montreal, Canada. The Company's common shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol LYTS.

The LSI Industries Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3646

For further information, contact either Bob Ready, Chief Executive Officer and President, or Ron Stowell, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer at (513) 793-3200.

Additional note: Today's news release, along with past releases from LSI Industries, is available on the Company's internet site at www.lsi-industries.com or by email or fax, by calling the Investor Relations Department at (513) 793-3200.

CONTACT: LSI Industries Inc.

Bob Ready

Ron Stowell

(513) 793-3200