ATS Announces $9 Million in Automation Orders

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Automation Tooling Systems, Inc. (ATS), announced on March 18, 2003, that it has been awarded two separate contracts valued at $9 million for the design, manufacture, and supply of automated manufacturing systems from two major multinational tier-one automotive customers.

The largest of the two contracts will be completed, shipped, and installed over the next six months and includes a number of individual automated manufacturing and test systems. These systems will feature a variety of standard automation products and technologies from ATS, including two ATS SupertrakTM intelligent conveyor systems and various high-speed ATS SuperbotÅ material handling robots, and ATS proprietary component feeders for high-volume parts handling and improved performance. The customer–a major multinational tier-one automotive parts supplier and a longtime ATS account–will use these advanced automated systemsto manufacture and test high-precision automotive components.

"This assignment is just the latest example of growing marketplace acceptance for our next-generation standard products and technologies, and the mutual value they provide to both our customers and to ATS," says Klaus Woerner, the company’s president and CEO. "For customers, technologies like Supertrak and Superbots enable high manufacturing throughput, efficiency,

flexibility, tremendous precision and, most important, rapid system deployment and higher return on investment. For ATS, our standard products are a distinct advantage in winning new assignments, plus they allow us to deliver value-added manufacturing solutions faster and on terms that benefit both ATS and our customers."

For example, by replacing third-party vibratory bowl feeders with ATS component feeders–a recent addition to the company’s standard products portfolio–ATS is able to reduce the customer’s cost of ownership, improve component handling performance and, generate better margins for itself.

"Clearly, this assignment demonstrates once again that important customers are embracing our standard products initiative, and that the investments we have made to develop these technologies is helping ATS to add momentum in a challenging economic environment," Woerner says. "We look forward to serving this customer, and in so doing showcasing the distinct competitive advantages ATS possesses as the industry’s leader–and the only company in our markets offering comprehensive 21st century automation solutions."

The second contract, also from a repeat automation systems customer, is also scheduled for completion over the next six months, and is comprised of two different custom-designed automated assembly systems that will be used to assemble an automotive subsystem.

The names of the customers and further details about the orders cannot be disclosed due to customer confidentiality requirements. ATS derived approximately $260 million of consolidated revenue from automotive customers in its last fiscal year, and the auto industry has been a major consumer of ATS automation systems and precision components for more than 20 years.

For more information, contact Ron Jutras at (519) 653-6500, or visit the company’s Web site at [www.atsautomation.com].