WELCOME

Intentionally Assembled

As a young boy, I played with Legos day and night. I believed I could create anything
and with each click, as the plastic blocks came together to form the vision in my head,
I knew I was getting closer to having my next machine complete.

After a few hours, or if it was particularly amazing, a few days, it was time to take it apart
and rebuild something better; stronger, faster, or just more cool. Legos taught me to
think big, be flexible, and embrace new ideas.

That has translated into my ongoing vision for Earnest.

Earnest is in the process of another transformation in our continued efforts toward the
Intentionally Better machine. In the fall of 2009, we asked our distributors what was
needed to improve our service. We received great ideas, learned a great deal, and
began developing a plan that would lead to better. That plan is underway and once
again – the Legos are being transformed.

This summer, we are consolidating our Cleveland and Davenport warehouses and opening a centrally
located facility in Indianapolis. Indianapolis is a logistics hub for the Midwest that provides reliable and
economical delivery options.

When this transition is complete, our fill rate will increase, our inventory availability will improve, and our
same day shipping capacity is expanded. The new 90,000 square foot facility will use automated material
handling equipment and new IT systems to drive efficiency, expand our capacity, and consistently deliver
Intentionally Better service to you.

In addition, our facility in Atlanta is growing with expanded inventory and new equipment that allows for
automated custom packaging. As another chosen logistics hub, Atlanta provides exceptional service to
the Eastern US at a competitive cost.

Just as important as changing for the better, is remembering where it all began. Earnest has been a
Cleveland-based company since my grandfather started it in his garage in 1948. We will continue to
operate our corporate offices here and to grow and refine the organization at our current location.

It promises to be a busy summer. As we pick up each small block and put it together to build something
stronger, faster, and more cool – it is always with the Intention to build an Earnest Machine that is positioned
to provide you with Better Service, Better Product, and Better Value; and just like Legos it’s always more fun
to build with a friend – we look forward to building and growing with you.

Sincerely,

Kirk Zehnder
President
kpz@earnestmachine.com