SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Sparton Corporation announced that its Board has appointed Mr. Charles R. Kummeth as an Independent Director, effective November 11, 2011. Mr. Kummeth was appointed after a search that was announced earlier this year.

Mr. Kummeth is president of the Global Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Division of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Previously since 2009, Mr. Kummeth served as president of the Laboratory Consumables Division of Thermo Fisher Scientific.

He has worked in the industrial, semiconductor, scientific, and healthcare industries for 30 years, including 24 years at 3M. His initial work was on data storage devices; an early project was helping Apple with peripheral solutions for the first Macintosh computer. Later, Mr. Kummeth managed 3M’s International Mergers and Acquisitions group, and was vice president of the Electronics Materials and Medical Products divisions. He spent three years in Europe as the head of 3M’s industrial businesses and also served as managing director of the company’s UK/Ireland subsidiary.

Mr. James R. Swartwout, Chairman of the Board said, “We are very pleased with the addition of Chuck to Sparton’s Board of Directors. His extensive skills in strategic planning, business development and operational oversight in a large public company setting, as well as having a marquee affiliation with the Medical and Industrial industries will enable him to provide the Board with valuable insight as Sparton continues to execute on its strategic growth plan.”

Mr. Kummeth commented, “I appreciate the opportunity to join the Company’s Board of Directors and am looking forward to working closely with our other Board members and the management team to further advance the Company’s strategic development.”

Mr. Kummeth has a BS in Electrical Engineering, an MS in Software Design and Engineering, and an MBA from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota.

About Sparton Corporation

Sparton Corporation /quotes/zigman/1474895/quotes/nls/spa SPA -2.27% , now in its 111th year, is a provider of complex and sophisticated electromechanical devices with capabilities that include concept development, industrial design, design and manufacturing engineering, production, distribution, and field service. The primary markets served are in the Medical Device, Defense & Security Systems, and Electronic Manufacturing Services industries. Headquartered in Schaumburg, IL, Sparton currently has five manufacturing locations worldwide.