Exide Technologies Battery Supply Takes Off with Scandinavian Airlines System
13 January 2004 - 4:37AM
PR Newswire (US)
Exide Technologies Battery Supply Takes Off with Scandinavian
Airlines System PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Exide Technologies, (BULLETIN BOARD: EXDTQ) ( http://www.exide.com/
), a global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions, has
secured a large order for motive power batteries and a complete
battery maintenance system from Scandinavian Airlines Systems
(SAS), the consortium of three national airlines for Norway,
Sweden, and Denmark that offers a broad range of airline services.
Long recognized as one of the best-run commercial airlines, SAS is
Europe's 4th largest carrier measured in total number of passengers
with Europe's highest share in business class service, and is a
founding member of the Star Alliance global airline network. Yet,
faced with dire post-9/11 market conditions, SAS launched a major
restructuring initiative in 2002 targeting traffic, operations and
production systems to ensure the company's profitability and
long-term competitiveness. Under this initiative, SAS recently
acquired 68 LINDE tractors, each unit fitted with 80 volt 620 Ah
Exide motive power batteries and supported by a complete Exide
battery water maintenance system to maximize tractor fleet
utilization. These tractors will be used as baggage carriers at
Kastrup Airport in Copenhagen, Denmark, which is Scandinavia's
major airport and one of the world's best functioning, most
punctual air transportation hubs. At Kastrup, SAS and other
airlines adhere to tight schedules, producing efficient reloading,
shorter lead times, and shorter transfer times that improve yield
and reduce unit cost. As part of this process, the dependability of
the baggage handling fleet is essential for efficient operations.
"This SAS order, aligned with our marketing alliance with LINDE,
culminates the development of a long-term relationship that
positions Exide as SAS's preferred partner," said Neil Bright,
President of the Exide Technologies Industrial Energy Business
Group. "This coordinated supply arrangement-combining LINDE's
tractors with Exide's batteries, maintenance systems and
services-illustrates our commitment to achieving world-class
products and services that make our customers successful." About
Exide Technologies: Exide Technologies, with operations in 89
countries and fiscal 2003 net sales of approximately $2.4 billion,
is one of the world's largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid
batteries. The company's two global business groups -- industrial
energy and transportation -- provide a comprehensive range of
stored electrical energy products and services for industrial and
transportation applications. Industrial uses include network power
applications such as telecommunications systems, electric
utilities, railroads, photovoltaic (solar-power related) and
uninterruptible power supply (UPS); and motive-power applications
for a broad range of equipment uses, including lift trucks, mining
vehicles and commercial vehicles. Transportation applications
include automotive, heavy-duty truck, agricultural and marine, as
well as new technologies being developed for hybrid vehicles and
new 42-volt automotive applications. The company supplies both
aftermarket and original-equipment transportation customers.
Further information about Exide Technologies, its financial results
and other information can be found at http://www.exide.com/ .
Certain statements in this press release may constitute
forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. As such, they involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results
of the company to be materially different from any results
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These are
enumerated in further detail in the company's Form 10-K. MEDIA
CONTACT: Jeannine Addams or Kristin Wohlleben Tarkenton &
Addams, Inc. 404/231-1132 INVESTOR CONTACT: Doug Morris Gavin
Anderson & Company 212/515-1962 DATASOURCE: Exide Technologies
CONTACT: Media, Jeannine Addams or Kristin Wohlleben of Tarkenton
& Addams, Inc., +1-404-231-1132; or Investors, Doug Morris of
Gavin Anderson & Company, +1-212-515-1962 Web site:
http://www.exide.com/
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