NHC Communications Signs Significant European Distribution Agreement with Nexans
MONTREAL, May 31 /CNW/ - NHC Communications Inc. (TSE: NHC), and Nexans
formed from Alcatel Cable and Components, signed an exclusive European
distribution agreement for the sale and support of NHC's ControlPoint(TM)
solutions.
NHC Communications Inc. a leading provider of carrier class test access
and deployment solutions for the copper-based telecommunications and Internet
access markets and Nexans, formed from Alcatel Cables and Components which
ranks amongst the top three in the cable industry worldwide have signed an
exclusive five year distribution agreement for the sale and support of NHC's
ControlPoint(TM) solutions in Europe. Nexans has placed an initial order for
ControlPoint(TM) solutions, of CDN$500,000 to immediately address Incumbent
Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) and large Alternate Carrier First Office
Applications (FOA).
NHC's agreement with Nexans is for a term of up-to of five years, and is
established on yearly objectives for each of the larger countries of the
European Community. Nexans expects that this agreement will materialize
quickly into future orders for NHC's ControlPoint(TM) solutions.
Nexans is a EUROS $4.8 billion manufacturer of telecommunications and
energy cables and systems with a presence in 20 countries. Nexans plans to
integrate NHC's ControlPoint(TM) solutions into its xMagic(TM) Local Loop
Unbundling copper solution, which is being offered to its ILEC and large
carrier customer base throughout Europe.
"This agreement is a giant leap forward for NHC in its strategy to
develop the European telecommunications carrier market," said Sylvain Abitbol,
President and CEO of NHC Communications. "We are very pleased to be associated
with Nexans particularly in Europe where they are a key telecommunications
equipment provider." Nexans with a massive presence of 18,500 employees
worldwide makes them a valuable partner for NHC on an international scale.
"NHC's ControlPoint(TM) solution is a perfect fit for Nexans' xMagic(TM) Local
Loop Unbundling solution, the combination of both solutions will provide our
carrier clients with a remotely controlled real-time test access and
management solution for their networks" said Jean Philippe Machon, who heads
Nexans Telecom Components. "We anticipate significant revenues to be generated
from NHC's ControlPoint(TM) solutions," added J.P. Machon.
"Nexans' experienced sales, marketing and support infrastructure is very
well positioned to aggressively address the growing need for intelligent
wireline management solutions from its ILEC and large carrier clients," said
Peter Benisti, Vice President of Worldwide Sales, NHC Communications. "The
large carriers look for a well established and reputable organization that
they can turn to when they start to deploy, Nexans complements NHC remarkably
well in that area."
NHC will work closely with Nexans to enhance the state of the broadband
infrastructure throughout Europe with MDF (Main Distribution Frame) automation
from its ControlPoint(TM) solutions. During the past 11 months, NHC's European
subsidiary in Paris, France has taken key steps towards exploiting growth
opportunities in new markets. Recent evaluation by a large European ILEC
client of its ControlPoint(TM) solution and an agent agreement with IDWARE a
member of the operational unbundling commission of the ART, (l'Authorité des
Reglements Telecoms) in Paris, France is setting the stage for NHC's growth in
the European territory.
ABOUT NEXANS
Formed from Alcatel Cables and Components, Nexans ranks among the top
three in the cable industry. Nexans product portfolio includes an extensive
range of cables and interconnection systems. Nexans solutions can be found in
every area of people's lives, from telecommunications and energy networks, to
aeronautics, aerospace, automobile, building, petrochemical and medical
applications. Operating in 20 countries, Nexans employs 18,500 people and had
sales in 2000 of EUROS 4.8 billion. Nexans "Cable Network" portfolio includes
the "Passiv Interconnect Solution" which provides a consistent end-to-end
network wiring solution from the Central Office to the subscriber premises.
Its solutions can be found at production plants and office buildings
worldwide. Telecom Operators recognize Nexans as a protagonist in the
deployment of their telecom infrastructures.
ABOUT NHC
With offices in Montreal, Paris, France and Manassas, Va., NHC
Communications is an international leader in the design and manufacture of
innovative remotely controlled physical layer cross-connect solutions for
established and next-generation voice/data networks. With a unique range of
technologies developed from years of experience, NHC now is at the heart of
today's corporate enterprise service market and the telecommunications
industry.
Statements included here, which are not historical in nature, are forward-
looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation,
statements as to management's beliefs, strategies, plans, expectations or
opinions in connection with the Company's performance, which are based on a
number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove
to be inaccurate. In addition, other forward-looking statements that may be
included here must be qualified by important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those achieved in the past or those expected
by the Company. These include: rapid technological change along with the need
to continually develop new products; the Company's dependence on a dominant
product line; competition; the Company's dependence on key employees;
difficulties in managing the Company's growth; the Company's dependence upon
certain customers and certain suppliers; the Company's dependence upon
proprietary rights; risks of third party claims of infringement; and
government regulation.
%SEDAR: 00001989EB
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For further information: Nexans Interface, +33 1 39 96 56 56,
+33 1 39 96 56 53, www.nexans.com; Sylvain Abitbol, President & CEO, NHC
Communications Inc., (514) 734-4302, 1-800-361-1965, s.abitbol@nhc.com
Peter Benisti, Vice President, Worldwide Sales, NHC Communications Inc.,
(514) 734-4309/1-800-361-1965, p.benisti@nhc.com |
