Saft rechargeable Li-ion cells enhance Alta Industrial Automation’s wireless M2M solutions

Saft rechargeable Li-ion cells enhance Alta Industrial Automation’s wireless M2M solutions

Two companies also to present demonstration of system at Offshore Technology Conference

Valdese, North Carolina, April 18, 2012 – Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial batteries, today announces cooperation with Alta Industrial Automation Ltd. (“AIA”) an innovator of wireless solutions. AIA is utilizing a Saft rechargeable lithium-ion battery in their Solar Battery product line for Class 1 Div 2 hazardous environments and extreme temperature operation. AIA’s Solar Battery solutions provide power, data acquisition and wireless internet communication to simplify installation, maintenance and support of remote hazardous environment sensors.

“Our solar system, combined with the Saft rechargeable lithium-ion battery, allows AIA customers to achieve end-to-end monitoring and control of their fixed or mobile assets in extreme climatic conditions,” said Gary Allbee, president, AIA. “Our customers can now quickly and conveniently connect their assets online to the internet and perform operational updates through our eTrackData server solution.”

“With the AIA Solar Battery installed, we have substantial operating cost savings, and we no longer deal with battery exchange and disposal. More importantly, in the most harsh low temperature conditions, our data collection and process is more reliable with the Solar Battery as our primary power source,” reported Peter A. Hebert, Corrosion Technologist with Taqa North Ltd.

During the week of April 30, 2012, the two companies plan to partner for a demonstration of the solar battery system at the Offshore Technology Conference to be held in Houston.

“This program extends Saft’s experience in providing intrinsically safe, high-performance batteries for the oil and gas industry,” said Thomas Alcide, general manager of Saft’s Specialty Battery Group and president, Saft America Inc. “We are excited to be able to demonstrate our innovative power solution with AIA at a high-profile industry event.”

About Saft

Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced technology batteries for industry. The Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics markets. Saft is the world leader in space and defence batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also being deployed in the energy storage, transportation and telecommunication markets. Saft’s 4,000 employees present in 19 countries, its 16 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group’s growth for the future. For more information about Saft, visit: http://www.saftbatteries.com.

About AIA

Since 1991, AIA has supplied custom electronics and automation solutions to agriculture, mining, manufacturing, environmental monitoring and oil & gas industries. Since 2003, AIA has designed and manufactured wireless data communication products for intelligent device networking. AIA’s wireless data products deliver complete M2M solutions that provide exceptional value through innovative engineering, reliability and ease of use. For more information about the solar battery, please visit: http://aialtd.com/index.php?option=com_product&id=1&cid=7