STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
NEW HOLLAND/FAV, INC. JOINT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (APRIL 7, 1997)
New Holland corporation has signed a Joint Development agreement with FAV, Inc. (FIRECAT) with manufacturing rights being awarded to New Holland. New Holland has agreed to provide FIRECAT with all power platforms and heavy duty vehicles upon which the FIRECAT fire suppression devices are based. New Holland has also agreed to provide research and engineering personnel to aid in the development of the FIRECAT components as well as the marriage of those components to the selected New Holland heavy equipment. New Holland has also agreed to provide FIRECAT with Global Positioning System (GPS) electronics.
CASE/NEW HOLLAND MERGER (NOVEMBER 15, 1999)
CNH (Case/New Holland) was formed by the merger of Case Corporation, Racine, Wisconsin, USA (NYSE: CSE), and New Holland, Amsterdam, Holland (NYSE: NH) and was completed on November 15, 1999. CNH has combined revenues of $12 Billion annually, builds and markets several of the world's leading brands of agricultural and construction equipment and is among the world's largest equipment financing companies. Due to the company's tremendous presence in the heavy equipment field, they have extensive research and development abilities worldwide. CNH offers all of its shareholders an opportunity to share in a global enterprise that will invest in the future and benefit from a company that has a broad presence in geographic and product market segments.
The company plans to operate under a multiple brand, multiple distribution business model. It will maintain its various agricultural equipment, construction equipment and financial services brands and corresponding distribution networks. Going forward, the company intends to design and build its products on common platforms, but with differentiated features that appeal to specific customer groups under the company's multiple brands. Financial services products also will be offered under each of the brand organizations.
PHOTON RESEARCH, INC.
Photon Research, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA, has signed a memorandum for the development of Command Modules and integration of Infrared and Short-Range Radar imaging. It also plans to provide computerized tool control and Training Module software.
INFRAMETRICS, INC.
Inframetrics, Inc., has agreed to provide Infrared video equipment precisely configured to FIRECAT needs as well as ongoing support and development of future generation adaptations.
GARDNER & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Gardner & Associates, Inc., has agreed to produce film and video of FIRECAT evolutionary development for distribution to media and television broadcast. Gardner & Associates, Inc., has further agreed to document the development and testing of FIRECAT vehicles on an ongoing basis.
Gardner & Associates, Inc., is a privately held company founded in 1978. Its President, Robert D. Gardner, has produced and directed award-winning television commercials, documentary films, corporate communications and multi-media productions. Gardner & Associates, Inc. has received Twenty-Eight (28) EMMY awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, some of which include:
> Award of Merit from Chicago International Film Festival
> Television Bureau of Advertising - Best Series of Local Television Commercials
> The "Andy" Award from the AD Club of New York
> International Broadcasting Award from Hollywood Radio and Television Society
> Eight (8) Homburg Awards from San Diego Ad Club
> Communicating Arts Group Award of Merit