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Arotech Acquires Epsilor
Electronic Industries Ltd - a Leading Military Lithium Battery Manufacturer
Transaction to Acquire FAAC Inc
was Closed Yesterday
January
14, 2004 - Arotech Corporation (NasdaqNM: ARTX) announced today
that it has acquired Epsilor Electronic Industries Ltd., a privately
owned Israeli corporation. For more than 10 years, Epsilor has developed
and sold rechargeable and primary lithium batteries and smart chargers
to the military, and to private industry in the Middle East, Europe
and Asia. This acquisition will significantly expand Arotech's array
of energy solutions for a variety of military applications.
With Epsilor, Arotech's battery-related
business is projected to increase profitability in 2004. Epsilor's revenues
in 2002 totaled $4.8 million, with a pre-tax profit of $1.7 million,
with 2003 revenue projected at over $5 million, and a pre-tax profit
of $1.85 million. The purchase price for Epsilor is $7 million in cash,
with an additional $3 million paid over the next three years. Epsilor
management will continue to manage the company as a wholly owned subsidiary
of Arotech.
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.
"With this acquisition we will be able 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. "As we
said before, 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."
The Company also announced today that it has closed
the transaction to acquire FAAC Incorporated, a privately owned corporation
with corporate headquarters located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. FAAC is
a provider of simulators, systems engineering and software products
to the United States military, government and private industry.
About Arotech Corporation
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
Arocon 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
and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Arotech
assumes no obligation to update the information in this release. Reference
to the Company's website above does not constitute incorporation of
any of the information thereon into this press release.
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