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Little Giant Ladder Systems Raises Safety Benchmark for Service Companies Nationwide

The Little Giant Lunar extension ladder, the lightest fiberglass extension ladder in the world, is now being used companywide by Suddenlink, the nation's 7th largest cable operator, to ensure its employees are using the safest, most lightweight and easiest-to-use extension ladder available. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Little Giant has enhanced its product line of ladders with groundbreaking safety features to address the risks that working professionals often face," said Ryan Moss, CEO, Little Giant Ladder Systems and Vice President of the American Ladder Institute. "A very significant reduction in weight minimizes common handling injuries to the back and shoulder. Suddenlink's responsible decision to outfit its employees with the Lunar extension ladder by Little Giant allows the industry-leading cable company to alter technician job requirements, establishing new benchmarks in safety and employee diversity for service companies nationwide."

A video of the Lunar ladder can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCIeAe3Q6qo.

"The safety of our employees is Suddenlink's highest priority," said Mary E. Meduski, Suddenlink Executive Vice President and CFO, and member of the Executive Board for Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT). "Our hard-working technicians, including many capable women, have difficult work assignments that often require them to personally carry industrial-weight equipment necessary to accomplish their jobs. By partnering with Little Giant Ladder Systems in developing these new products, Suddenlink can now reduce the current job weight-carrying requirement to encourage the recruitment of women to our technical operations group. We have standardized the use of Little Giant Ladders companywide to ensure that all of our employees are using the safest, most lightweight and easiest-to-use extension ladders available."

For the third consecutive year, WICT has named Suddenlink one of the top five MSOs for women in its annual PAR (Par equity, Advancement opportunities, Resources for work/life support) study. The company's partnership with Little Giant is a natural extension of this commitment to workforce diversity.

Lunar ladder innovations deliver safety to working professionals. The lightest industrial ANSI-rated fiberglass extension ladder in the world, the Lunar is perfect for both industrial and electrical applications. The non-conductive rails feature Little Giant's exclusive Litewave technology and are constructed with a new, cutting-edge fiberglass resin composite that is lighter and stronger than any other material on the market. Additionally, the Lunar:

• Weighs up to 30% less than ordinary extension ladders
• Safely holds up to 375 pounds
• Is available in 20-, 24-, and 28-foot models.

Not only is the Lunar ladder easier and faster to use, it also lasts longer than ordinary fiberglass extension ladders.

"Taking advantage of new equipment designs, like those offered by Little Giant, has helped Suddenlink reduce minimum weight-handling requirements for our technicians. Other companies are as much as 50 percent higher or more. The lower weight requirement gives more people opportunities to be a part of our technical workforce," said Suddenlink Vice President of Technical Operations Andrew Parrott. "Suddenlink and Little Giant Ladder Systems are innovative leaders in our respective industries. Working together helps Suddenlink keep its commitment to find new ways to open doors for a more diverse workforce and to provide better service while helping our employees do so with ease and maximum safety."

About Little Giant Ladder Systems:

Little Giant Ladder Systems, Inc. manufactures and distributes superior-quality climbing products to discerning homeowners and professionals throughout the world. The company's growing family of consumer brands includes Little Giant Ladders, Little Giant Xtreme , SumoStance , Select Step , Lunar and MicroBurst .

About Suddenlink Communications:

Suddenlink Communications (suddenlink.com) is the seventh largest cable operator in the United States, supporting the information, communication and entertainment demands of approximately 1.4 million residential customers and thousands of commercial customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia and elsewhere.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50069180&lang=en

Strategic Connections, LLC
Stephen Whyte, 801-529-3060
Stephen@StrategiConnections.com