Wednesday March 8, 7:57 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
LG Electronics Promotes Echelon's LONWORKS Networks
for the Home
Korea's Leading Electronics Manufacturer to Create Interoperable Products with Echelon's Technology
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2000-- Echelon Corporation (Nasdaq:ELON - news), the worldwide leader in
networking everyday devices, and LG Electronics (LGE) of Korea announced that they have joined forces to promote open, interoperable
networked devices in the home.
LGE, one of the world's largest white goods manufacturers, will provide interoperable, Internet-connected home appliances such as
refrigerators, microwaves, and other appliances using Echelon's LONWORKS© control networks. As part of its commitment to
LONWORKS, LGE has joined the LONMARK© Interoperability Association as a sponsor member.
``LGE is committed to using standards-based, open technology for its networked home products,' said Namseog Byeon, general manager
of technology strategy, Digital Appliance Company, LGE. ``With Echelon and the LONMARK Association the networked home will be
realized, making it possible for products from different manufacturers to communicate with each other. After carefully reviewing the available
solutions, including consideration of Echelon's exceptional power line signaling technology, we have determined that the LONWORKS
system provides one of the most preferred solutions for creating smart, Internet-enabled home appliances that work with each other and
interoperate with devices from other manufacturers.'
``Echelon has positioned itself for the burgeoning home networking market by joining visionary partners in utilizing the Internet as a means to
control everyday devices,' stated Lawrence Chan, Echelon's vice president, Asia Pacific and Japan. ``With our new alliance with LGE, we
can extend that vision to LGE appliances in homes around the world, creating truly integrated, multi-vendor home networks. By staking out
a leadership role in networked appliances, LGE demonstrates a keen understanding that the wave of the future lies in providing open,
Internet-connected everyday devices based on the LONWORKS system.'
About Echelon Corporation
Echelon Corporation is the developer of LONWORKS networks, recognized internationally as a standard for open, interoperable control
networks. With thousands of application developers and millions of devices installed worldwide, LONWORKS is the leading cross-industry
standard for networking everyday devices in building and home automation, industrial, transportation, and public utility applications. Echelon
offers a full range of off-the-shelf hardware and software products to support the development, installation and management of intelligent,
open and interoperable control networks.
Echelon is based in Palo Alto, with international offices in China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, and the United
Kingdom. Further information can be found at echelon.com.
About the LONMARK Interoperability Association
Since its inception in 1994, the LONMARK Interoperability Association has become a major driving force in the establishment of
interoperable guidelines for building, industrial, transportation and residential/utility automation. LONMARK membership is open to any
manufacturer, end-user and system integrator committed to the development and use of open, interoperable products using multi-vendor
LONMARK control networks.
Products that have been verified to conform to Echelon's LONMARK interoperability guidelines are eligible to carry the LONMARK logo,
an indicator that a product has been designed to interoperate over a LONWORKS network.
Further information on the LONMARK Interoperability Association and its members can be found on the LONMARK Association web
site at lonmark.org.
About LGE
LG Electronics Inc. was formed in 1958 in Seoul, Korea. A diversified, multinational electronics manufacturers, 1998 sales exceeded 9,850
billion won. LGE manufacturers home appliances, multimedia products, and displays including refrigerators, air conditioners, washers, and
microwave ovens. For more than 40 years the home appliance group has been a leader in its sector of the Korean economy. With its
award-winning, low-noise and high-performance products, the division is expanding aggressively into overseas markets. The multimedia
division is responsible for R&D and manufacturing of CD ROM drives, PCs, VCRs, video tapes, and related applications. The company
has strategic alliances with Sony, IBM, Microsoft, and Compaq, and these partnerships have helped make LGE technology competitive
both domestically and internationally. The display division oversees the R&D and manufacturing of televisions, computer monitors, plasma
display panels, and application tools.
Note to Editors: Echelon, LONWORKS, LONMARK, and the Echelon logo are trademarks of Echelon Corporation registered in the
United States and other countries. Other marks belong to their respective holders.
This press release may contain statements relating to future plans, events or performance. Such statements may involve risks and
uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties pertaining to the timing and level of customer orders, demand for products and
services, development of markets for Echelon's products and services, and other risks identified in Echelon's SEC filings. Actual results,
events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date hereof. Echelon undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these
forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.
Contact:
Echelon Corp., Palo Alto
Press Contact:
Lyn Balistreri, 650/855-7402
lbalistreri@echelon.com |
