ATS appoints business development executive for Spheral
Solar(TM) Power
TSE Symbol: ATA
CAMBRIDGE, ON, Oct. 31 /CNW/ - ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. today
announced that Rick Robertson has joined its Spheral Solar(TM) Power Inc.
(SSP) subsidiary as vice president of business development. In this important
strategic role, Mr. Robertson will manage all aspects of business development,
strategic marketing and sales for SSP, a future leader in photovoltaic
technology.
Milfred Hammerbacher, president of SSP said: "Rick brings a wealth of
business development experience in the alternative energy industry to Spheral
Solar(TM) and we believe he will be a very valuable asset as move aggressively
along the road to commercializing our revolutionary technology. One of Rick's
responsibilities will be to evaluate potential strategic partners for product
development, system integration and distribution. Since our technology will
create much broader applications for solar power -- everything from
residential roofing to transit -- we believe the addition of a dedicated
executive to oversee the formation of business-to-business alliances is
critical at this early stage."
Mr. Robertson comes to SSP from General Electric's Power Systems business
where he held numerous marketing and business development positions in GE
Distributed Power and GE MicroGen. He joined GE in 1998 from fuel cell
developer Plug Power, where he was manager of sales and marketing. Prior to
joining Plug Power, Mr. Robertson was a senior associate with an energy and
utility consulting firm. He received an undergraduate degree in chemical
engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from RPI's Lally
School of Management and Technology.
Pilot Line Now in Full Operation
Mr. Hammerbacher added the timing of this appointment is "ideal because
our pilot line is now operating and this is giving us the initial solar cell
samples we need to fuel not only product development initiatives but also our
marketing efforts."
Plans to construct an initial 20 megawatt Spheral Solar(TM) manufacturing
factory in Cambridge, Ontario are also moving forward, said Mr. Hammerbacher,
"as is the launch of commercial production of Spheral Solar(TM) products
before the end of calendar 2003."
About Spheral Solar Power
Spheral Solar Power Inc. (www.spheralsolar.com) is a subsidiary of ATS
Automation Tooling Systems Inc. SSP is commercializing Spheral Solar (TM)
Technology (SST), a revolutionary solar technology that offers substantial
cost advantages and combines the high efficiency of traditional silicon
technology with the flexibility and durability of thin film technology.
About ATS Automation Tooling Systems
ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (www.atsautomation.com) is the
industry's leading designer and producer of turn-key automation manufacturing
and test systems, which are used in a variety of industries including:
automotive, computer/electronics, healthcare, and consumer products. The
company also makes precision components, sub- and assemblies using its own
customer-built manufacturing systems, process knowledge and automation
technology. Through Photowatt International S.A., and Spheral Solar(TM) Power
Inc., ATS is an emerging leader in the rapidly growing market for solar
energy. ATS employs approximately 3,200 people at 26 facilities in Canada, the
United States, Europe and Asia. The company's shares are traded on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the symbol ATA.
Certain forward looking statements are made in this news release,
including statements regarding possible future business. Investors are
cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of
ATS's products, technologies, customer requirements and other risks
detailed from time to time in ATS's periodic reports filed with Canadian
regulatory authorities.
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For further information: Ron Jutras, Chief Financial Officer, (519) 653 6500 To request a free copy of this organization's annual report, please go to http://www.newswire.ca and click on reports@cnw.
© 2002 Canada Newswire Ltd.