American Power Conversion Celebrates Twenty Years of Legendary Reliability
WEST KINGSTON, R.I., Mar 12, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- March 1981: Ronald Reagan had just begun his first term as President of the United
States, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis graced the cover of People Magazine, REO Speedwagon topped the charts with "Keep On Loving You" and on March 11, in
the state of Massachusetts, three engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Lincoln Labs formed American Power Conversion Corporation
(Nasdaq: APCC chart, msgs)(APC).
What began as an effort to develop solar power solutions developed into a producer, and ultimately worldwide leader, in the market for uninterruptible power
supplies (UPS). Today, APC is known throughout the world for its award- winning, power availability solutions for IT and communications applications.
"The foresight of the Company's founders and the accomplishments of APC throughout the years has been tremendous," said Rodger B. Dowdell, Jr., APC's
president and CEO. "It really is a great success story, the almost cliche tale of a company growing out of a garage to become a leader in its industry.
"Throughout the years, the entire APC team has been instrumental in the Company's accomplishments. Without the dedication, innovation, and commitment these
folks bring to work every day none of this would be possible," continued Dowdell. "As we go forward, we bring an industry-leading brand name, strong financial
position and a global team of these 'best-in-class' employees to our endeavors. Over the past twenty years, APC has developed into a comprehensive provider of
end-to-end, Nonstop Networking(TM) solutions. Over the next twenty years we will strive to bring the innovation and excellence of our past to the efforts we
undertake in the future."
APC Milestones:
March 1981 American Power Conversion Corporation is incorporated in
Massachusetts. Its founders, three electronic power
engineers who had been working at MIT, direct their
research and development towards solar electricity.
1984 APC introduces its first UPS, the 450AT+, designed to
capitalize on the growth of PCs and local area networks.
1986 APC establishes Rhode Island based manufacturing, its
first facility located in Peacedale, R.I.
APC receives the Company's first of many PC Magazine
"Editor's Choice" awards, this one for its first UPS, the
450AT+.
July 1988 APC goes public at $7.50 per share or $.125 per share
adjusted for the Company's six stock splits. To date this
represents the Company's only equity offering.
1989 Major distributors Tech Data and Ingram Micro begin
carrying APC's products.
APC's award-winning PowerChute(R) software is introduced
and revolutionizes power management.
1990 The Company relocates to its West Kingston, RI facility,
the current site of corporate headquarters.
The Smart-UPS(R) brand of UPSs are introduced. These
solutions will grow to become the industry's premier
network power protection solution.
APC's President and CEO, Rodger B. Dowdell, Jr., is
awarded Inc. Magazine's New England "Entrepreneur of the
Year" award.
1991 APC enters the surge protection market with its
SurgeArrest(R) product, the first offering in what will
become a comprehensive line of surge protection solutions.
1993 APC expands into the 2kVA and higher UPS market with the
industry's first modular UPS, Matrix-UPS(R).
1994 The Company opens its first international manufacturing
facility in Galway, Ireland to better address the growing
European market.
1995 APC's annual revenues cross the half-billion dollar mark.
The Company introduces over 155 new products, including a
new generation of Smart-UPS and the Company's first Back-
UPS Pro(R) models.
1996 APC's first Asian manufacturing facility opens in the
Philippines.
Back-UPS office(R) is introduced, transforming desktop
power protection for consumers and business customers.
1997 APC enters the greater than 5kVA UPS market with the
revolutionary Symmetra(R) Power Array(TM). The product is
the industry's first Power Array, a unique solution
offering redundancy, scalability and serviceability.
Valued at approximately $12.6 million, Systems Enhancement
Corp., a leading power management company based in St.
Louis, MO., is APC's first acquisition
1998 APC revenues top the billion-dollar mark, making it the
first company primarily focused on UPSs to reach this
revenue milestone.
APC purchases Silcon A/S, a manufacturer of 3-phase UPS
systems, providing entry into the market for data center
and facility applications.
1999 APC's Asian manufacturing efforts are supplemented with
new facilities in China and India.
APC introduces the UPS industry's first 24X7 outsourced
remote monitoring service, allowing APC customers to focus
on their business and not their power infrastructure.
APC introduces PowerShield, addressing the growing
broadband needs of cable and fixed wireless applications
to the home.
2000 APC completes three strategic acquisitions which provide
entry into new incremental markets including: the DC-power
market for communications equipment; the cable and
connectivity market for home and business IT applications;
and the precision cooling market for data centers and
communications equipment.
APC is ranked among the Fortune 1000 for the first time
and is added to the prestigious S&P 500 Index.
About American Power Conversion
Founded in 1981, American Power Conversion (Nasdaq: APCC chart, msgs) is a leading provider of global, end-to-end availability enhancement solutions which
include surge suppressors, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), DC-based power systems, precision cooling equipment, cabling and connectivity solutions, power
conditioning equipment, related software, professional and consulting services for Nonstop Networking(TM), as well as power purchasing solutions through
energyOn.com, The World's Online Energy Store. APC's comprehensive products, services and accessory offering, which is designed for both home and corporate
environments, improves the availability, manageability and performance of sensitive electronic, network, communication and industrial equipment of all sizes. APC,
which is headquartered in West Kingston, Rhode Island, reported sales of $1.48 billion for the year ended December 31, 2000 and is a Fortune 1000 and S&P
500 company.
All trademarks are the property of their owners. Additional information about APC and its global end-to-end solutions can be found by accessing the APC World
Wide Web site at www.apcc.com or by calling 800-877-4080.
For more information contact:
Media:
Juli Dexter, APC director of media relations worldwide, 800-788-2208 ext. 2373, juli.dexter@apcc.com
Investors:
Debbie Grey, APC investor relations manager, 800-788-2208, ext. 2994, debbie.grey@apcc.com
Source: American Power Conversion Corporation
Contact:
Media: Juli Dexter, director of media relations worldwide,
800-788-2208, ext. 2373, juli.dexter@apcc.com, or Investors: Debbie Grey,
investor relations manager, 800-788-2208, ext. 2994, debbie.grey@apcc.com,
both of APC
/Company News On-Call: prnewswire.com or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 046187
URL: apcc.com |
