BSD.L Regulatory News (BSD)

19 Jan 2005 07:00

Emblaze Ltd19 January 2005 Emblaze Defense merges with Girit Projects/AVLogic A merger of equals between Video Security specialists for government and Homeland Security projects under a new entity named Visual Defence Inc. Toronto and Ra'anana, January 19, 2005: Emblaze Ltd. ("Emblaze or "the Group")(LSE: BLZ) announces the merger of its defense wireless video division, EmblazeDefense, with Girit Projects Inc. and AVLogic Inc. ("Girit"), the security andsurveillance divisions of Canadian based GiritHoldCo. The merged company, Visual Defence Inc. ("Visual Defence"), has wonmulti-million dollar key tenders in European airports, Israeli Defence Forcesand US Homeland Security for the management and provision of secured videosurveillance over wireless and fixed IP networks. Existing internationalcontracts already exceed $10m in scope for 2005 and further significant growthin this business in expected over the year. Visual Defence employs over 70 personnel and is headquartered in Toronto, Canadawith R&D, Sales and Marketing operations in Canada, Israel, Europe and UnitedStates. Oved Tal, Chief Executive Officer of GiritHoldCo will be the ChiefExecutive Officer of Visual Defence while Yaniv Cohen, the current head ofEmblaze Defense, will join the management team of Visual Defence and run theIsraeli operation. Both companies complement each other with technological solutions for the visualsecurity arena. Girit is a global leader in sophisticated video securitymanagement systems for fixed line broadband IP architectures and digital cameranetworks while Emblaze Defense provides leading-edge video solutions for realtime security and surveillance over narrowband cellular and other wireless RFnetworks - both targeted towards the military and security markets. Current projects include, among others, Toronto's Pearson International Airportand Ottawa's MacDonald-Cartier Airport. Similar systems are being deployed atZurich's International airport and other major European and US public transportcentres. By the combination of the two complementary divisions, Visual Defence seeks tocreate the next generation in visual security solutions specialized in theconvergence of advanced security video applications from analog to digitalplatforms. According to Datamonitor's report on "Global Digital VideoSurveillance Markets", July 2004, Digital video surveillance is a high-growthniche within the overall surveillance market at 55% CAGR. Between 2003 and 2007the market for digital and IP solutions and technology replacements is estimatedto grow to $7bn globally. Oved Tal, Chief Executive Officer of Visual Defence, said: "The integratedsolution offered by Visual Defence will allow fully centralized control ofsupervision tools that improve the overall threat readiness and thus enableorganizations to become more efficient when faced with a crisis. We are excitedto have the platform that will revolutionize how visual security will beconducted in the future." Eli Reifman, Chief Executive Officer of Emblaze Ltd., added: "The new company isa combination of two hot areas in global security. With the increase interrorism activities, the need for next generation visual security and alertsolutions reaches new heights. We are happy to join forces with our new partnersand pave the way in this highly specialized arena." Enquiries: Emblaze GroupDoron Cohen, Hagit Gal + 972 9 7699831/339 Visual DefenceStuart Steinberg + 1 905 731 1254 Corfin CommunicationsHarry Chathli, Neil Thapar + 44 207 645 2990 Notes to Editors: About The Emblaze Group (Emblaze LTD)Emblaze Ltd. is a group of companies sharing a common mission to provide Telecomoperators with technologies, products and solutions for next generationservices: Emblaze Mobile, a new breed in handsets design and manufacturing;Adamind, a global leader in content adaptation (transcoding) for wirelessoperators; Emblaze Defense, a provider of wireless and IP video solutions formilitary and homeland security markets and Orca Interactive (LSE: ORCA),provider of Interactive Television IPTV middleware for Video On Demand (VOD) andbroadcast services, aimed at Telecom, cable and xDSL operators Emblaze Group is traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: BLZ) since 1996 andhas offices in the United States, United Kingdom, China, Korea and Israel.www.emblaze.com About Girit ProjectsFrom solutions strategy to the deployment of advanced turnkey systems, GiritProjects utilizes our breadth of knowledge and expertise to deliver value to theenterprise. Girit's core philosophy is to develop niche market solutions tomaintain a sustainable competitive advantage within the fields of video, audio,security and telecommunications. By empowering our clientele with the tools andresources to deliver professional, dynamic solutions, Girit Projects continuesto be the market leader in 'The Art of Integration'.www.giritprojects.com About AVLogicAVLogic Inc. works with talented Systems Integrators and End-Clients to deliverturnkey solutions in the fields of Video, Audio, Security andTelecommunications. Our advanced product offerings are designed to interact withmultiple hardware, software and communications systems to ensure cross-platformfunctionality while providing intuitive tools and applications for management,configuration, diagnostic and reporting functionality.Our background in core telecommunications methodologies is vital in the deliveryof current and future solutions as advanced network topologies continue to shapeour evolving IT landscape.www.avlogicinc.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange