Milacron's China JV Kicks Off Production of Large, World-Class Injection Molding Machines with Delivery of 1000-ton Maxima

CINCINNATI, OHIO, May 11, 2005 - Milacron Inc. (NYSE: MZ) says its new China joint venture, Milacron Plastics Machinery (Jiangyin) Co. Ltd, in April delivered its first China-built injection molding press, a 1000-metric ton Maxima two-platen machine.

"This is a milestone achievement in several areas," according to Dr. Karlheinz Bourdon, Milacron president of global plastics machinery. "First, it's a large machine, which we have targeted as a window of opportunity in the Chinese market. Second, the Maxima is a world-class global design and the Chinese-built machine is identical to models we build in North America and Germany, while featuring a significant portion of Chinese domestic content. Third, we're extremely pleased with our team at Jiangyin and the progress they have made."

After receiving its business license in June 2004, Milacron Plastics Machinery by mid-July sent a 14-member, multidisciplinary team of Chinese nationals to Milacron's factory in Malterdingen, Germany for 10 weeks of training. Individuals were trained in specialty areas of engineering, assembly, testing, support and procurement. They built subassemblies for injection molding machines, then applied that knowledge to team-assembly of a Maxima 1000 press, the same model as the first machine they would build back at the Jiangyin plant, said Bourdon.

"This start-up was a far different challenge from our India JV," noted Bourdon. "The Indian market is heavily oriented to small tonnage machines. Our first machine there was a 50-ton. While 90% of the China market is concentrated in smaller machines, under 500 tons, we chose to compete in the rapidly evolving market for large, world-class molding capabilities. This segment is being driven by international companies, particularly automakers and suppliers who are setting up or expanding manufacturing in China. We see a strategic window to gain leadership in meeting that large machine demand. Milacron is well positioned to manufacture world-class machines from 500 tons to 4000 tons in China," he said.

The large-machine focus led Milacron to partner with Jiangnan Mould & Plastic Technology Co. Ltd. (JMP), which specializes in molding for the automotive industry, said Jay Woerner, Milacron vice president of global manufacturing and sourcing. The Maxima 1000 is one of many large IMMs ordered by the JV partner to be delivered by the end of 2005.

"We had the unique opportunity of an immediate market for large machines with our JV partner," said Woerner. "We've been able to realize sales while ramping up our manufacturing."

Production is underway in China on several more large Maximas for the JV partner. In order to fast track production for the automotive molder, Milacron has also delivered two large U.S.-built Maximas, which were installed at the JMP plant in Shanghai.

Milacron projects that market demand should strongly support domestic production of large machines in China, Woerner stressed. "There may be some future opportunities to export around the Pacific rim, but at this point in time we are not planning to export production from China."

However, the decision to build global machine designs could allow opportunities for strategic part sourcing from China, he noted. "We're very pleased with progress in developing our supply base to support local manufacturing and feel there could be opportunities in the future to use certain components globally at attractive prices to improve our cost structure."

Members of Milacron's China JV startup team join with their counterpart trainers at Milacron's
Malterdingen, Germany plant to celebrate build of the two-platen Maxima 1000 injection molding
press in the background. After a 10-week training period at the German plant, mid-July to end
of September, the 14-member Chinese team returned to their Jiangyin plant to build an identical
Maxima 1000, the JV's first Chinese-built machine, delivered in April to the customer. Milacron
is focusing the Jiangyin plant on production of large, world-class injection molding machines.

First incorporated in 1884, Milacron is a leading global supplier of plastics-processing technologies and industrial fluids, with major manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. For further information, visit www.milcron.com or call the toll-free investor line: 800-909-MILA (800-909-6452).