The February FutureTrak Times will answer many of the questions that have been asked; anything else can be addresses afterwards....
FutureTrak Times
Volume 2 Issue 1 February 1998
QUALITY COUNTS!
Lockheed Martin Joins FutureTrak Team
FutureTrak International, Inc. and galaxis USA, Ltd. have announced that they have completed agreements for Lockheed Martin Ocala Operations to manufacture the FutureTrak Space Scanner„ in Ocala, Florida. The agreement with Lockheed Martin is a major milestone for FutureTrak and galaxis. Product assembly and quality testing in the United States provides the companies additional control over cost and product evolution.
"We are very excited about this agreement and the prospect that this technology will evolve to other world markets," said John Muczko, Lockheed Martin's director of business development.
"It provides Lockheed Martin Ocala Operations an opportunity to participate in a new commercial sector alongside leading companies in the field." Production is targeted for the first quarter of 1998.
"galaxis is happy to enter into a manufacturing agreement with Lockheed Martin, a company that knows satellite equipment and its application in the U.S. as well as galaxis does in Europe.
Since entering into an agreement with FutureTrak in 1997, galaxis has been very pleased with the record setting deployment of its Space Scanner product. The Lockheed Martin - galaxis cooperative agreement will enhance worldwide distribution of the Space Scanner, which is currently being manufactured for galaxis by Siemens in Germany for the rest of the world." says Jim Clingham, President of galaxis USA and galaxis International of Germany.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
From the Desk of Steve Remondini
"In the previous issue of FutureTrak Times I mentioned how exciting 1997 was. I believe 1998 will exceed my current expectations. In my previous statement I spoke of manufacturing agreements with Fortune 100 companies here in the U.S. We are extremely proud to announce the FutureTrak/galaxis agreement with Lockheed Martin to manufacture the FutureTrak Space Scanner in the Ocala Operations plant. FutureTrak looks forward to working with a corporation known for its success and integrity.
FutureTrak's sales for January not only exceeded our forecasts but also set the pace for an outstanding year. Our Exclusive Florida Channel Partner, Satellite Technology, Inc. (STI), has now become an Authorized FutureTrak Agent. They have surpassed our expectations as a Distributor for several months and I am sure they will repeat this activity in their new role as an Agent.
The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last month was a tremendous boost for FutureTrak. It was one of our most successful shows yet. The response we received from dealers, distributors, manufactures, and the media was excellent. During the show, we met with several industry leaders to discuss distribution and private labeling of the Space Scanner. As these agreements are completed we will keep the public informed and updated.
I would like to welcome our newest FutureTrak employee; Susie Mauro. Susie will be my Executive Assistant and an excellent addition to this team. I would also like to take a moment to thank Joan LaSharr for all the hard work she has been doing as FutureTrak's Receptionist, Travel Agent, and all around support person for multiple tasks.
In this industry it is imperative that technologies evolve to meet the needs of the consumer. FutureTrak has rapidly become a company that not only has the experience necessary to do this, but the desire to make it happen."
________________________________________________________________
Certain statements in this newsletter and the company's financial projections that are not historical fact constitute "forward-looking information." Such forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to: customer demand not meeting expectations; lack of consistent supply of materials; lack of adequate distribution markets; and inability to meet customer demand.
Note from the Editor...
FutureTrak has made several exciting alliances in the last two months. Inside this issue you will read about several of them. I will be attending Satellite 98 in Washington DC this month and will be sure to keep you all posted on changes in the industry and outlooks for the future.
SH
LAS VEGAS
FutureTrak a Big Hit at CES Show
FutureTrak International experienced a great response at the 1998 International Consumer Electronics Show January 8 - 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The show was full of excitement as several hundred dealers and distributors stopped by FutureTrak's booth to find out how they could benefit by becoming part of the team.
FutureTrak quickly became the center of attention as many news and media crews swarmed the booth for a peak into the future.
FutureTrak Times
Publisher: Steve Remondini
Managing Editor:
Stefanie Haden
haden@futuretrak.com
Technology Editor:
John Remondini
jremondini@futuretrak.com
FutureTrak Times is the bi-monthly newsletter of FutureTrak International, Inc. and is distributed to distributors, dealers, investors, the media and many related parties.
For more information contact:
FutureTrak Times
3635 Park Central Blvd. North
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
(954) 971-2244
FAX (954) 971-2228
e-mail: info@futuretrak.com
futuretrak.com
FutureTrak International, Inc.
(954) 971-2244
Steve Remondini President/C.E.O.
remondini@futuretrak.com
Stefanie Haden
Marketing Director
haden@futuretrak.com
John Remondini
Distribution Manager
jremondini@futuretrak.com
Rex Pace
General Sales Manager
pace@futuretrak.com
Reggie Soileau
Sales/Marketing Manager
soileau@futuretrak.com
Market Bits...
DBS Companies Report Solid Subscriber Numbers For January
February 9, 1998 From: SkyReport
Late holiday sales and activations helped boost DBS subscriber numbers in January, according to SkyREPORT research and company reports. DirecTV added 81,000 new subscribers for the month, putting its total at 3.382 million. EchoStar's DISH Network enrolled 50,000 new subs, for a total of 1.09 million. PrimeStar, still burdened by its roll-up, reported 16,000 new subs for a total of 1.962 million. C-Band lost more than 29,000 subs, taking its subscribership to 2.08 million.
AlphaStar Eyes Business Applications, Renewal of DTH Service
January 28, 1998
From: SkyReport
The new owner of AlphaStar said plans are in place to restart the original satellite service and add a data transmission business sometime this year. Mahmoud Wahba, president of Greenwich, Conn.-based Champion Holding, told Investors Daily his plans include establishing three subsidiary companies - AlphaStar PC Webcasting and AlphaStar TV Broadcasting - plus an outfit known as Champion Private Network and Teleport.
EchoStar's DBS Service to Offer Local Channels
January 8, 1998 From: Business Wire
Continuing its leadership in the DBS industry, EchoStar Communications Corporation announced today at the Winter CES Show that DISH Network (TM) will offer consumers their local network channels, direct from EchoStar's satellites in twenty of the top U.S. television markets, representing over 40% of the U.S. population. Commencing this month, DISH Network will uplink the ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX affiliates in the New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas markets. Additional markets in the Eastern and Central Time zones will be added during February. DISH Network will also add network affiliate stations from the Mountain and Pacific Time zones following the launch of EchoStar IV in the spring of this year.
FutureTrak Hires Top Advertising Agency to Launch New Campaign
FutureTrak International, Inc. has hired Brainstorms Advertising & Marketing Inc. to work on a new ad campaign to debut sometime this Spring. Brainstorms is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and came highly recommended by various people in the industry. Along with this print ad campaign, Brainstorms will be working on revising all of FutureTrak's brochures and collateral materials.
"We are very enthusiastic about the new advertising campaign and brochures. Brainstorms has a reputation as one of the top agencies around. Their knowledge of the boating industry combined with their experience and large clientele of manufactures makes them the perfect choice for FutureTrak." said Stefanie Haden, FutureTrak's Marketing Director.
Brainstorms has already started the project by first receiving a Space Scanner system in their office and installing it themselves. Having this "hands-on" experience will give them an advantage in preparing an informative, accurate, yet very creative and dynamic new look for FutureTrak.
Sales Corner...
January was a record sales month for FutureTrak. The month of February has started off following in the same path. Not only have sales been at an all time high for FutureTrak, several other events and agreements have been taking place within the Sales Department that are definitely worth mentioning.
Satellite Technology, Inc. (STI) has taken on the role of FutureTrak's authorized Agent. STI has been Florida's exclusive Distributor and consistently exceeds sales goals every month. STI will be handling fulfillment, technical support, sales educations and many other responsibilities in this new capacity of Agent. STI plans on attending several boat and industry trade shows with both distributors and dealers selling the FutureTrak products.
"STI is honored to accept the position as "Sales Agent" for the FutureTrak Space Scanner in the U.S., South America, and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas." said Dan Dyack, President of STI. "We enjoy working with the staff of FutureTrak. Satellite Technology could not ask for a better alliance."
The STI team consists of Kevin Ryan, Bob McDermott, Larry Casey, Cheryl McCarthy and Dan Dyack.
There are scheduled to be at least three STI dealers with FutureTrak products at the Miami International Boat show this month. Langer Krell, Larry Smith Electronics, and Sea Technologies will all have the Space Scanner on display. Sales from this show are expected to surpass the outstanding numbers attained from the Fort Lauderdale Boat show in October. STI plans on attending the Newport Beach California Boat show in late March with its Southern California dealer Charter Memories.
Several South American companies have shown a tremendous amount of interest in the FutureTrak products. Satellite programmers, such as GLA (Galaxy Latin America), as well as large marine electronic distributors are predicting large sales volumes in Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela. Over 12 dealers have responded, including an order for over $20,000 in product.
FutureTrak and STI will be making a trip to South America and plan to complete this project sometime in the second quarter of 1998.
Our Canadian project continues to be on target as we are fine tuning our system to work flawlessly with the Star Choice and ExpressVu Canadian programmers.
For FutureTrak International, Inc. investment information call Steven Oshinsky at Argent Securities, Inc. at 800-667-7442.
Upcoming Events:
International Boatbuilders' Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) February 5 - 7, 1998 Fort Lauderdale, FL
Miami International Boat Show February 12 - 18, 1998 Miami, FL
Satellite 98 - The Road Ahead February 18 - 20, 1998 Washington, D.C.
Palm Beach Boat Show March 26 - 29, 1998 West Palm Beach, FL
Technical Tips
Unsure of how to program your geographical region into the Space Scanner? There are 6 regions programmed into the ACU for the US. They are as follows:
South East H-1
South West H-2
North Central H-3
North East H-4
South Central H-5
North West H-6
1. Press the PROG key to switch to programming mode. (display will show PR)
2. Press the or ther buttons to scroll to the desired region. (display will show H-1 through H-6)
3. Press the PROG key to store setting. (display will show PR)
4. Press the PROG key again to return to standard mode. (display will show ON)
Technical Tips are brought to you by our Distribution Manager, Mr. John Remondini. |
