Sounds as though they almost might be serious about this product this time. I hope so.
Jim
Thursday March 15, 12:45 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Silicon Film Technologies, Inc.
Silicon Film Technologies Signs RINGFOTO
Gruppe As Exclusive Distributor of EFS
Products in Europe
Relationship Provides Rapid Penetration of European Photo
Retail Channel For Silicon Film's Product Line
IRVINE, Calif., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Silicon Film Technologies
announced today that it has signed RINGFOTO Gruppe of Furth, Germany as
the exclusive distributor of the company's Electronic Film System (``EFS'')
products in Europe. RINGFOTO is the largest distributor of conventional and
digital photo products in Europe. Through their affiliation with EuroACTIV, a
distribution organization headquartered in Amsterdam, RINGFOTO provides
distribution services and support to photo resellers in all European Union
countries, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. This relationship provides Silicon
Film with immediate access to the European photo market.
According to Ken Fay, Silicon Film's President and Chief Executive Officer,
``Rather than trying to establish our own network of distributors and resellers,
the relationship with RINGFOTO provides tremendous benefits to Silicon
Film in time and cost savings. Their access to over 1500 resellers with 2500
retail store fronts in Germany alone represents immediate exposure of our
unique and cost effective EFS digital solution to Germany's photo-consuming
public. And through EuroACTIV, RINGFOTO will increase our penetration
immediately throughout Europe and Scandinavia as well.''
Silicon Film's first generation EFS system, EFS-1(TM), is designed to provide
a convenient and affordable way for owners of traditional 35mm SLR film
cameras to participate in the explosive growth of digital photography. EFS-1
consists of the (e)film(TM) Cartridge, a self-contained digital imaging module
that fits in a standard film compartment; the (e)port(TM) Carrier, which
uploads the images to a computer, and the (e)box(TM) Storage module, which
stores hundreds of images for future upload to a PC or Mac®. Together, these
components are designed to allow users to enjoy all the features and functions
of their SLR camera system while capturing digital pictures. EFS-1 will be
demonstrated at the CeBIT Show in Hannover, Germany from March 22-28,
2001 in fotoMAGAZIN's booth in Hall 9, # B01.
``We are very excited about the relationship with RINGFOTO and the
synergies between the two companies,'' said Doug Howe, Silicon Film's Chief
Marketing Officer. ``Their brand name is well known and recognized for a
professional, customer-oriented approach to the photo market that dovetails
perfectly with our goal of excellence in sales and support for our new EFS
product line. Their excitement about adding EFS to their product line-up makes
us confident that this timely step into the European market will yield great
results for both RINGFOTO and Silicon Film.''
``Silicon Film's EFS-1 is an impressive new product, good for both
professional photographers and enthusiasts,'' said Martin Wagner, Division
Manager of RINGFOTO's digiPhoto and board member of the Digital
Imaging Marketing Association (DIMA). ``It greatly extends the capabilities of
conventional SLR cameras, encouraging further growth of the estimated 89 billion photographs printed worldwide in
2000 via the growth of digital photography.''
ABOUT SILICON FILM:
Founded in 1998, Silicon Film Technologies, Inc. is the developer of the Electronic Film System, a revolutionary system
of hardware and software components designed to permit a conventional 35mm film camera capture, store and transmit
digital photos without camera modifications. The company has pioneered advanced research and development in CMOS
sensor implementation and micro-miniaturization of imager packaging and holds patents on many aspects of the
technology. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Silicon Film Technologies, Inc. is a majority-owned, independently operated
subsidiary of Irvine Sensors Corporation (Nasdaq: IRSN - news; Boston: ISC - news). For more information, please
visit siliconfilm.com.
ABOUT RINGFOTO GRUPPE:
RINGFOTO, founded in 1965, is a Cooperative of Photo Dealers and has grown to its current size of 1,500 dealers with
2,500 outlets in Germany alone. In 2000, RINGFOTO's sales turnover was 553 million DM, up 11% over prior year and
had sales turnover of all outlets of 1.8 billion DM. RINGFOTO is the largest national cooperative worldwide and is a
founding member of euroACTIV with more than 4,000 outlets throughout Europe. RINGFOTO has subsidiaries in
Austria and the Czech Republic.
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking
statements that are dependent on risks and uncertainties including such factors, among others, as the market risks
associated with new products, the impact of competitive technologies and the pace at which new markets develop. Further
information on Irvine Sensors Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Silicon Film Technologies, Inc., is contained in
publicly-filed disclosures available through the SEC's EDGAR database (www.sec.gov) or from the Company's Investor
Relations.
All other company and / or product names are trademarks and / or registered trademarks of their respective
manufacturers.
For further information please contact Douglas E. Howe of Silicon Film Technologies, Inc., 949-417-2274,
dhowe@siliconfilm.com
SOURCE: Silicon Film Technologies, Inc. |
