American Science and Engineering, Inc. (“AS&E”) (NASDAQ:
ASEI), a leader in X-ray detection technology, announced today the
receipt of an order for two Z Backscatter™ Vans (ZBV™) funded by
The World Bank and procured by SGS, the world’s leading inspection,
verification, testing, and certification company, for the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Senior officials from the Democratic
Republic of Congo's Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation,
and Tourism inspect one of their new Z Backscatter Vans (ZBVs), a
cargo X-ray screening system that will aid in their fight against
illegal logging. (Photo: Business Wire)
In this first ever use of X-ray inspection systems in the DRC
for smuggled wood detection, the Ministry of the Environment,
Nature Conservation, and Tourism (MENCT), will work with SGS to
implement, operate, and maintain AS&E’s ZBV systems with added
Forwardscatter® capabilities to detect tropical wood that is
illegally logged and smuggled out of the country.
The DRC’s ZBV deployment is part of the country’s launch of a
new program to fight illegal logging and exportation of wood and
timber — a significant concern. Five hundred thousand cubic meters
of timber are officially harvested each year in the DRC, yet the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN)
estimates that unofficial logging more than doubles that
total1.
“We are working with the DRC’s Ministry of the Environment to
provide innovative solutions to monitor forestry activities on
their borders,” said Anthony Fabiano, AS&E President and CEO.
“With its mobility and flexibility to move from location to
location, the ZBV system is an ideal solution to scan trucks on the
border to find smuggled tropical wood in cargo. The system offers
unparalleled ability to detect and image organic materials,
including wood.”
With the second largest tropical forest in the world2, the DRC
forests are critical to the world’s climate. Over half of the DRC
is covered in tropical forest3, a resource which is critical to the
economy of the country’s 71 million inhabitants4. According
to estimates by the UN, if the current rate of timber exploitation
continues, as much as two-thirds of the Congo Basin forest will
disappear by 20405.
AS&E’s Z Backscatter Van (ZBV)
A breakthrough in X-ray detection technology, AS&E’s Z
Backscatter Van is the number one selling non-intrusive mobile
inspection system on the market. The ZBV system is a highly mobile
screening system built into a commercially available delivery van.
The ZBV system allows for immediate deployment in response to
security threats, and its high throughput capability facilitates
rapid inspections.
About The World Bank Group
The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of
funding and knowledge for developing countries. It comprises five
closely associated institutions: the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International
Development Association (IDA), which together form the World Bank;
the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral
Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre
for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Each institution
plays a distinct role in the mission to fight poverty and improve
living standards for people in the developing world. For more
information, please
visit www.worldbank.org, www.miga.org, and
www.ifc.org.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and
certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark
for quality and integrity. With more than 67,000 employees, SGS
operates a network of over 1,250 offices and laboratories around
the world. For more information, visit www.sgs.com/en/.
About AS&E
American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E) is a leading
worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray inspection systems. With
over 50 years of experience in developing advanced X-ray security
systems, the Company’s product line utilizes a combination of
technologies, including patented Z Backscatter technology,
Radioactive Threat Detection (RTD), high energy transmission and
dual energy transmission X-ray. These technologies offer superior
X-ray threat detection for plastic explosives, plastic weapons,
liquid explosives, dirty bombs and nuclear devices. AS&E’s
complete range of products include cargo inspection systems for
port and border security, baggage screening systems for facility
and aviation security, and personnel and passenger screening
systems. AS&E® systems protect high-threat facilities and help
combat terrorism, trade fraud, drug smuggling, weapon smuggling,
illegal immigration, and people smuggling. AS&E customers
include leading government agencies, border authorities, military
bases, airports and corporations worldwide, including the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Defense
(DoD), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO), UK Border Agency (UKBA), Hong Kong
Customs, and Abu Dhabi Customs. For more information on AS&E
products and technologies, please visit www.as-e.com.
Safe Harbor Statement: The
foregoing press release contains statements concerning AS&E’s
financial performance, markets and business operations that may be
considered “forward-looking” under applicable securities laws.
AS&E wishes to caution readers of this press release that
actual results might differ materially from those projected in any
forward-looking statements. Factors which might cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements contained herein include the following:
significant reductions, delays or cancellations (in full or in
part) in procurements of the Company’s systems by the United States
and other governments; disruption in the supply of any source
component incorporated into AS&E's products; litigation seeking
to restrict the use of intellectual property used by the Company;
limitations under certain laws on the Company’s ability to protect
its own intellectual property; potential product liability claims
against the Company; global political trends and events which
affect public perception of the threat presented by drugs,
explosives and other contraband; global economic developments and
the ability of governments and private organizations to fund
purchases of the Company’s products to address such threats; the
potential insufficiency of Company resources, including human
resources, capital, plant and equipment and management systems, to
accommodate any future growth; technical problems and other delays
that could impact new product development and the Company’s ability
to adapt to changes in technology and customer requirements;
competitive pressures; lengthy sales cycles both in United States
government procurement and procurement abroad; future delays in
federal funding, the market price of the company's stock prevailing
from time to time, the nature of other investment opportunities
presented to the company from time to time, the company's cash
flows from operations and market and general economic conditions.
These and certain other factors which might cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected are detailed from time to
time in AS&E’s periodic reports and registration statements
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which important
factors are incorporated herein by reference. AS&E undertakes
no obligation to update forward looking statements to reflect
changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or
changes in future operating results, financial condition or
business over time. Readers are further advised to review the “Risk
Factors” set forth in the Company’s most recent Form 10-Q and Form
10-K, which further detail and supplement the factors described in
this Safe Harbor Statement. Among other disclosures, the Risk
Factors disclose risks pertaining to that portion of the Company’s
business that is dependent on United States government contracting
as well as international customers.
1 “Democratic Republic of Congo,” Illegal-Logging.Info,
http://www.illegal-logging.info/approach.php?a_id=70 (accessed 1
December 2011).2 “Frequently Asked Questions: Forests in the
Democratic Republic of Congo,” The World Bank, 24 March 2009,
http://go.worldbank.org/FL7IMT3610 (accessed 1 December 2011).3
“Frequently Asked Questions: Forests in the Democratic Republic of
Congo,” The World Bank.4 “Background Note: Democratic Republic of
the Congo, U.S. Department of State,” The U.S. Department of State,
30 September 2011, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2823.htm
(accessed 1 December 2011).5 “Democratic Republic of Congo,”
Illegal-Logging.Info.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50099630&lang=en
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