Bretford and Powermat From Partnership for Eduction

CHICAGO — June 8, 2011 — Bretford Manufacturing, Inc., manufacturer of furniture for both classroom and work environments, today announced it has been selected as the preferred Powermat partner for the K-12 and higher education markets. The Powermat wireless charging products will be available later this summer with Bretford’s EDU 2.0 line, which is the first comprehensive powered and modular technology furniture system designed for the social aspects of learning in education. Bretford is debuting the Powermat products with the new EDU 2.0 line in its NeoCon showroom (#355), June 13-15 in Chicago; at InfoComm (#2259), June 13-17, in Orlando, Fla.; and at ISTE (#2725), June 27-29, in Philadelphia Pa.

The Powermat wireless charging products are being built into a wide variety of Bretford products, starting with the EDU 2.0 line and eventually into any Bretford furniture model that has a horizontal surface, according to Mikel Briggs, president of Bretford Manufacturing, Inc. “Incorporating Powermat products into our EDU 2.0 line allows Bretford to fully support the use of technology in learning environments.” He added, “Not only is it convenient and universal for students and educators, but it truly allows them to have technology at their fingertips so the focus is on learning and collaborating instead of worrying about the electronic components.”

“Bretford has an established name and dedicated expertise in learning, which is why we chose Bretford as our preferred partner for the education market,” said Ran Poliakine, Powermat CEO. “Bretford has both the knowledge and the commitment to develop products that support the use of technology in education. These attributes are in line with Powermat’s vision to eradicate wires and power supplies, thereby increasing mobility and enabling teachers and students to enjoy a true sense of freedom with respect to charging and power. The education environment, where students and teachers are using modern technology to communicate, is the perfect place for the Powermat products to be used with Bretford furniture.”

About EDU 2.0

EDU 2.0 is the only complete technology furniture system currently available with products that have a common visual design, are created to be used together, and allow for the use of key mobility devices and supporting visual technologies. EDU 2.0 creates an environment that enables technology to be used to its fullest capabilities without any limitations caused by the furniture in the room. It also allows for a space that supports interaction and helps create collaboration. When technology is at work in a collaborative setting, studies show that the learning experience is greatly enhanced. With EDU 2.0, Bretford strives to increase the experiential opportunities brought on by the social aspect of learning in an educational setting. Products within the line include everything from tables for interaction and mobile device carts to presentation system furniture and soft seating with power.

About Powermat Powermat presents wireless technology that simplifies power charging requirements in the work environment. It eliminates the need for multiple cords and power supplies to charge electronic devices and allows users to charge by simply placing their enabled device on a Powermat surface. A ‘smart’ technology, Powermat profiles electronic devices’ power requirements, providing power only as needed, to bring the device to full charge while also recognizing when devices are fully charged and shutting down accordingly. This not only conserves energy, but also protects devices from overcharging, maximizing battery life. For more information, go to www.powermat.com. About Bretford Manufacturing, Inc.

Bretford is a manufacturer of furniture for both classroom and work environments. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Franklin Park, Ill., Bretford Manufacturing, Inc. holds more than six decades of expertise dedicated solely to the design and manufacture of furniture solutions. With nearly 350 employees and 450,000 square feet of production space, the company offers smart furniture designs that support evolving technology, enabling institutions, organizations and corporations to increase productivity and efficiency. Bretford’s superior workmanship and environmentally compliant manufacturing and operation practices ensure dependable products, many of which are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified®. Bretford products are backed by a 12-year standard warranty and the industry’s best 20-year standard warranty on library furniture.