|
Arotech Signs Letter of Intent
to Acquire Top Tier Military Battery Company
Arotech poised to become a leading
supplier of batteries and smart chargers for the military
Lithium battery technology substantially expands Arotech’s battery
market presence
September 30, 2003 - Arotech
Corporation (NasdaqNM: ARTX) announced today that it had signed a letter
of intent to acquire an undisclosed company that manufactures and markets
power products to a variety of military customers and suppliers. The
target company specializes in primary and rechargeable lithium batteries
and associated smart chargers. This acquisition will significantly expand
Arotech’s array of energy solutions for a variety of military
applications.
The acquisition, the terms of which
will be disclosed upon execution of a definitive agreement, is expected
to be completed before year-end. With the target company, Arotech’s
battery-related business is projected to be very profitable, with more
than double the revenues of the current zinc-air battery business.
Recent developments and improvements
in lithium rechargeable batteries have caused the US military, as well
as armies worldwide, to shift many battery-operated devices to cost-effective
rechargeable batteries. Non-rechargeable batteries continue to be the
leading source of energy in war and during limited conflicts. With this
acquisition, Arotech will be positioned to become an important supplier
in three important military battery markets: non-rechargeable zinc-air,
non-rechargeable lithium, and rechargeable lithium, along with associated
smart chargers.
Arotech plans to introduce the acquired
lithium-based battery technology to its Auburn, Alabama battery plant,
as a base for broadening its US military battery market. In parallel,
the acquired company has already developed European and Asian military
markets for its batteries, which Arotech will utilize to expand the
reach of its BA-8180/U zinc-air battery.
“This acquisition will enable
us to become a significant player in the worldwide emerging market of
rechargeable power products for military applications, making us a larger,
more diversified company that is better able to compete for military
orders,” said Robert S. Ehrlich, Arotech’s Chairman, President
and CEO. “The synergy between the two companies will allow us
to have a strong presence in the market, with greater efficiency and
profitability for the entire group.”
About Arotech Corporation
Arotech’s corporate mission
is to provide quality defense and security products for the military,
law enforcement and homeland security markets, including advanced zinc-air
batteries, multimedia interactive simulators/trainers and lightweight
armoring.
Arotech Corporation (www.arotech.com)
operates two business divisions: Electric Fuel Batteries – developing
and manufacturing zinc-air batteries for military and homeland security
applications and developing electric vehicle batteries for zero emission
public transportation; and Arotech Defense – consisting of IES
Interactive, which provides advanced high-tech multimedia training systems
for law enforcement and paramilitary organizations, MDT Protective Industries,
which provides vehicle armoring for the military, industrial and private
sectors, and Arcon Security, which provides homeland security consulting
and other services.
Arotech is incorporated in Delaware
and has corporate and sales offices in New York and Denver with research,
development and production subsidiaries in Alabama, Colorado and Israel.
Except for the historical information
herein, the matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking
statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, as they are subject to various risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary significantly. These
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks relating
to: product and technology development; the uncertainty of the market
for Arotech’s products; changing economic conditions; delay, cancellation
or non-renewal, in whole or in part, of contracts or of purchase orders;
significant future capital requirements; and other risk factors detailed
in Arotech’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2002, as amended, and other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Arotech assumes no obligation to
update the information in this release. Reference to Arotech’s
website above does not constitute incorporation of any of the information
thereon into this press release.
|