William Multi-Tech Inc. (Formerly William Resources Inc.) - William Closes C Sixty and LeadingEdge Transactions
Toronto, Ontario - Tuesday, July 18, 2000, 11:06 AM EDT
* C Sixty: Private biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of drugs, diagnostics and medical devices based on the fullerene molecule (see previous press release dated June 21, 2000) * LeadingEdge: Profitable enterprise since establishment in 1996; recent expanded focus on payroll and HR outsourcing market through Pinnacle subsidiary will continue to increase revenues and profitability (see previous press release dated June 26, 2000) * William Multi-Tech name change approved by shareholders * Listing symbol stays the same: WIM
William Multi-Tech Inc., formerly William Resources Inc., ("William") (TSE:WIM) is pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced transactions with C Sixty Inc. ("C Sixty") and LeadingEdge Payroll Group Inc. ("LeadingEdge"). Under the terms of the agreement, William has acquired a 40% interest in C Sixty and a 42% interest in LeadingEdge. William retained Coniston Investment Corporation to act as an advisor in connection with these transactions.
C Sixty: -------- C Sixty is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company whose business strategy is focused on the discovery, development, and the advancement of a new class of therapeutic drugs, diagnostics and medical devices based on the fullerene molecule, considered a "Platform Technology", with potential value for a large number of diverse applications in multibillion dollar markets. The company has adopted a virtual model for conducting its product development through established relationships with world-class institutions, thereby reducing costs, limiting dilution, and therefore increasing the potential return to shareholders. The company's technology is based on Nobel Prize award winning research and strategies in the biotechnology sector.
LeadingEdge: ------------ As Canada's only multi-dimensional payroll company, LeadingEdge captures the entire payroll and Human Resources administration cycle, through a unique total outsourcing management approach. LeadingEdge also provides recruitment services, consulting, re-engineering, software selection and implementation support, education/training, research and subscription services. LeadingEdge will continue to operate as a separate entity, further developing its payroll/HR software system, web-based technologies and proprietary toolbox, primarily as they relate to payroll and HR administrative outsourcing.
"The closing of C Sixty and LeadingEdge transactions represents the first step in the transformation of William to a technology based company", said Stan Bharti, Chairman and CEO of William. "We are confident that our investment in C Sixty and LeadingEdge will provide significant returns given the experienced management in both companies. C Sixty has a superb scientific team and an advisory board comprised of industry leaders and Nobel Prize winning scientists. LeadingEdge is a well-positioned and well known industry leader and meets our requirements as a provider of cutting edge technology products and services", added Mr. Bharti.
About William: -------------- William is an incubator for companies involved in the Internet, biotechnology and other high-technology-related areas. William provides these companies with financing, strategic planning and management resources to aid in their expansion programs. William is in advanced discussions on other transactions and expects to announce further developments in the near future. Shareholders at the Annual Shareholder Meeting, which was held on June 27, 2000 voted on and approved a name change from William Resources Inc. to William Multi-Tech Inc. William is in the process of filing the necessary documents with the Toronto Stock Exchange to affect the name change for trading purposes and will announce the name change when accepted. William will continue to trade under the symbol WIM.
Board Members: -------------- Stan Bharti: Mr. Bharti has over 25 years of experience in the resource and technology sectors. He is a long-time entrepreneur in the resource and technology sectors, and is a recognized expert in financial and management services, including restructuring, turn-around, and M&A transactions.
Ken Taylor: Mr. Taylor is an international diplomat with a distinguished business and political background. Mr. Taylor's career has ranged from trade development responsibilities in Guatemala, Detroit and London to foreign aid related matters in Pakistan and crisis management in Iran, for which he received the United States Congressional Gold Medal.
Gabriel Bitran; Professor Bitran is currently Deputy Dean and Chair Professor at the Sloan School of Management at MIT. Professor Bitran's research interests lie in the field of operations management.
Michael Davidson: Mr. Davidson has over 25 years of technology industry experience and is currently responsible for setting the technology vision for Apotex and it's worldwide affiliates. Mr. Davidson has extensive knowledge and experience with the integration of technology in real world manufacturing, sales and distribution, marketing, inventory, human resources and high transaction processing across multiple business verticals.
Michael Fitton: Mr. Fitton has over 20 years of experience in directing, managing, and developing business and technology companies. Mr. Fitton specializes in consulting companies on mergers, acquisitions, and development in the technology field.
Glen Kaiser: Mr. Kaiser has had an extensive career in the telecommunications and Internet industry holding key executive roles with AT&T, NCR, Bell South, Bell Labs, and Lucent Technologies.
Gilbert Sharpe: Mr. Sharpe is a partner with the law firm Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP and is head of their Health Law Group. He is considered one of the pre-eminent health lawyers in Canada.
Contacts: --------- Reg Burden/Kam Gill |