DONALDSON PROTECTS HELICOPTER NEW ZEALAND’S AW109SP FLEET FLYING ROUND-THE-CLOCK MISSIONS OFF AUSTRALIA

ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 28, 2013 – Helicopters New Zealand has selected Donaldson Aerospace & Defense’s Inlet Barrier Filters (IBFs) to protect the engines of three new AgustaWestland AW109SPs it purchased to fly around-the-clock transfers of marine pilots for iron-ore freighters serving ports on Australia’s hot northwestern coast.

Helicopters New Zealand chose the Donaldson IBFs, the only filtration system certified for installation on AW109E/S/SP aircraft, to protect the engines’ performance and reliability and reduce their maintenance costs as they operate in the hot, salt-laden skies around its base at Karratha, Western Australia, according to Technical Director Pierre Lavoie. Over his 35 years in the rotorcraft industry, he said, he has seen engine removal intervals improve from hundreds to thousands of hours and engine overhaul costs drop by hundreds of thousands of dollars after barrier filters were installed.

The advanced-technology IBFs produced by Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), help protect engine performance, prevent damage and reduce unscheduled engine removals and maintenance costs by virtually eliminating the effects of dirt, salt and foreign objects on the powerplants. Donaldson worked closely with Helicopters New Zealand, which has flown marine pilot transfer missions for more than 20 years, to complete field installations of its IBFs on the AW109SPs as they entered service this year to fulfill an extended, 10-year contract supporting the mining conglomerate Rio Tinto’s shipping operations in Western Australia.

“We are very impressed with the level of experience and service from Donaldson Aerospace & Defense,” Lavoie said. “They have worked hand in hand with us through the entire project, been flexible in meeting our schedule requirements and stayed on budget. You do not see that level of expertise and dedication from too many aviation vendors these days.”

“For nearly a century, Donaldson has been developing and manufacturing lightweight, compact, advanced-technology filtration solutions that protect the ability of our customers to perform critical missions reliably and safely,” said Eric Erickson, General Manager at Donaldson Aerospace & Defense in St. Louis. “We’re proud to support Helicopter New Zealand’s long and continuing tradition of marine pilot transfers and its contribution to this vital component of Australia’s economy.”

To learn more about the Donaldson Aerospace & Defense group, visit www.donaldsonaerospace-defense.com.

About Donaldson's Aerospace & Defense Group

Donaldson Aerospace & Defense is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems for the aerospace and defense industry. Our filtration solutions protect fixed wing aircraft, rotorcraft, military ground vehicles, electronic equipment, space vehicles, missiles, military shipboard systems, and amphibious vehicles. We are committed to advancing filtration technology, providing quality products and prompt customer service. Our group serves customers from sales, engineering, and manufacturing locations around the world. To learn more about the Donaldson Aerospace & Defense group, visit www.donaldsonaerospace-defense.com.

About Donaldson Company

Donaldson is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems that improve people’s lives, enhance our Customers’ equipment performance, and protect our environment. We are a technology-driven Company committed to satisfying our Customers’ needs for filtration solutions through innovative research and development, application expertise, and global presence. Our over 12,800 employees contribute to the Company’s success by supporting our Customers at our more than 100 sales, manufacturing, and distribution locations around the world.