Gentex Corporation: Gentex Introduces New Carbon Monoxide Detector for Fire Protection Group

ZEELAND, MI--(Marketwire - May 14, 2009) - Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: [ GNTX ]), the leading global supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors for the automotive industry and a leading supplier of commercial-grade photoelectric smoke alarms and detectors, has announced the development of its first carbon monoxide (CO) alarm designed primarily for applications such as hotels, motels, hospitals, college dormitories and nursing homes.

While Gentex is best known for supplying automatic-dimming mirrors to the global automotive industry, the Company was founded 35 years ago with the development of the first dual-cell photoelectric smoke detector. That product quickly became the industry benchmark for commercial-grade smoke-detection systems due to its ability to detect slow, smoldering fires.

Because the Company's core expertise in light sensing and electronics is central to both its automotive and fire protection groups, internal engineering and manufacturing resources have long been shared. However, the growing market need for reliable CO alarms and the potentially large market for those products due to the mandated use of the products in some states served as a catalyst for Gentex to accelerate product development in its fire protection group.

"We're excited to be offering this new carbon monoxide alarm in our fire protection group," said Gentex Senior Vice President Enoch Jen. "The CO market segment has good growth potential, as CO alarms are being mandated in a number of states. We're confident that our commercial-grade product and reputation for technology and quality will align well with potential customers' needs."

The new product introduction comes at a time when over twenty states are mandating carbon monoxide detection in applications such as hotels, motels, hospitals, college dormitories and nursing homes. Many other states are expected to follow suit.

The new CO1209 Series utilizes established sensing technology to deliver reliable performance wherever CO detection is required. The product is in compliance with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034 and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 720, and is currently shipping to leading electrical wholesalers, security product distributors and engineered systems distributors.

In addition to its CO sensing technology, the CO1209 features Dualink™, Gentex's system that enables interconnectivity with all Gentex tandem-capable smoke alarms. This capability makes it practical to add CO detection to any compatible Gentex alarm installation.

Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: [ GNTX ]) is an international company that provides high-quality products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire protection market. Based in Zeeland, Michigan, the Company develops, manufactures and markets interior and exterior automatic-dimming automotive rearview mirrors that utilize proprietary electrochromic technology to dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps. Many of the mirrors are sold with advanced electronic features, and more than 96 percent of the Company's revenues are derived from the sale of auto-dimming mirrors and advanced electronic features to nearly every major automaker in the world.