CHARLESTON, S.C., Nov. 19, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Force Protection, Inc. (OTCBB:FRCP) announced today that its subsidiary, Technical Solutions Group (TSG), was featured in an article entitled "Explosive Growth" in the current issue of U.S. Industry Today.
U.S. Industry Today covers the latest innovations in technology, industrial processes and production management and reports on new products, contracts, acquisitions, and investments that affect the world of American manufacturing. The magazine also features in-depth profiles of leading companies, such as the three-page article on Technical Solutions Group, which includes pictures of the company's Buffalo mine protected vehicle (MPV) as well as descriptions of TSG's other products, including the Iguana, Lion, and Cougar (Tempest, UK).
The article further explores in detail the roots of TSG's advanced technology, derived from the experience of company president Garth Barrett and based on decades of development in Southern African conflicts. The need for protection from guerrilla attacks in countries such as Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa led to a great deal of effort and expense in the development of technology and strategy for combating landmines. Now, Mr. Barrett puts the knowledge to work with Technical Solutions Group, mating South African and American technology to create sophisticated vehicles able to withstand the blasts of landmines.
The need for the products is summed up in the concluding paragraph of U.S. Industry Today's article: "Now, American and British forces are gearing up for what looks like a lengthy occupation in Iraq, a nation that is littered with possibly millions of land mines, especially in the northern expanses of the country. The bottom line is that the need for the heavy products manufactured by TSG is not likely to let up any time in the foreseeable future."
More information on U.S. Industry Today is available at http://www.usitoday.com.
About Garth Barrett
TSG President Garth Barrett is a military Staff College graduate and retired Special Air Service (SAS) colonel with extensive special warfare experience in numerous special operations. In addition to his counter-terrorism expertise, Mr. Barrett is a recognized authority worldwide in the fields of explosives, intelligence, and security. Mr. Barrett graduated from the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, England in 1965. He commanded the 1st Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) in Rhodesia until 1980, and was commander of the South African 6th Reconnaissance Commando unit. He is the inventor of the revolutionary Barrett Bomb Bag, a patented bomb suppression device, and founded the company that manufactured the bag. He has established a reputation as an authority in the field of mine countermeasures and has been contracted by the United Nations and several individual countries for mine detection and clearing operations.
About Force Protection, Inc.
Force Protection, Inc. manufactures and distributes vehicles that protect and save lives and property. Its subsidiary, Technical Solutions Group, Inc., (TSG) manufactures and markets military vehicles that are protected against landmines and hostile fire. These vehicles are typically used to transport personnel safely in areas infested with landmines and for the actual removal of landmines. The vehicles are manufactured in Charleston, S.C., where TSG is based. For more information visit www.forceprotection.net. Recently, Technical Solutions Group was highlighted on CNBC's Business Center. A video clip of the segment is available at: http://ir.forceprotectioninc.com. Contact: Investor Relations, Force Protection, Inc., 714-903-0025, investorrelations@forceprotectioninc.com or visit http://ir.forceprotectioninc.com.
Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications that may arise could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The company cautions that these forward looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to those, set forth in the company's Form 10-KSB filing and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at www.sec.gov). The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.