4C Controls Inc. (OTCBB: FOUR.OB) has announced the signing of a major Strategic Alliance and Distribution Agreement with e-GEOS, the recently formed joint-venture between Telespazio s.p.a (a Finmeccanica (FNC IM)/Thales(HO FP) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).
The distribution agreement grants exclusive satellite image distribution rights to 4C Controls with respect to the countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and South East Asia. The distribution agreement also provides 4C with the right to distribute Cosmo-SkyMed products on a non-exclusive basis in substantially all other African countries. 4C Controls estimates the distribution agreement to generate revenues over US$230 million (180 million euros). The exclusive distribution rights will include worldwide sales of substantially all satellite images taken over the exclusive territory countries as well as substantially all worldwide e-GEOS satellite images and products which are sold within the exclusive territory countries. The distribution agreement contains preferred partner provisions to facilitate mutually beneficial joint ventures and operations with e-GEOS during the foreseeable future. 4C Controls and e-GEOS signed the ten year distribution agreement in Rome, Italy.
e-GEOS was formed to market the data and products of the Cosmo-SkyMed Earth observation program, one of the most innovative programs in the Earth observation field. The first three Cosmo-SkyMed satellites are in orbit and the fourth is expected to be launched in 2010. 4C Controls will implement the distribution agreement through 4C Satellite Images & Technologies S.A. (“4C SatImage”), a wholly owned subsidiary of 4C Controls Inc., serving as the global first mover platform for commercialization of very high resolution SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) Earth observation products and services. The 4C SatImage commercial SAR satellite images processing and distribution programme through the planned network of direct receiving ground stations opens up a new era in the security and surveillance industry, particularly in the field of near-real-time monitoring, with comprehensive data acquisition capabilities (during the day, at night, and in all weather conditions), and high frequency low earth orbit revisit cycle (every three to six hours). Technical support will be provided by 4C Polito Space s.p.a., the joint venture of 4C Controls Inc. and Politecnico di Torino, a technology institute leader in Europe in the field of technical-scientific engineering research. Under the distribution agreement, e-GEOS will provide 4C Controls with expert technical and commercial management personnel to support the direct-receiving satellite ground station setup and operation.
