PLATINUM EQUITY APPOINTS JOHN LEWIS
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF GEOLOGIC SOLUTIONS
LOS ANGELES (Dec 23, 2004) – Platinum Equity
announced today that senior executive John Lewis has been
appointed President and CEO of GeoLogic Solutions Inc., a
leading provider of mobile communications solutions to the
transportation industry.
The company was acquired in September by Platinum Equity,
a global investment firm that specializes in the merger, acquisition
and operation of mission-critical services and solutions companies.
Mr. Lewis comes from XATA Corp., which provides onboard fleet
management systems to the trucking industry, where he served
as the Chief Financial Officer since 2001.
Previously, he was CFO of PrimeYield Systems, Inc., a manufacturer
of high-performance semiconductor test devices, where he managed
the sale of the company to a strategic buyer and directed
the post-sale integration process. Prior to that, Mr. Lewis
was President of a Minneapolis-based manufacturing company,
which he merged into a larger competitor and managed the post-merger
integration.
“John is a talented leader who knows what it takes
to provide innovative technology solutions to the commercial
trucking industry,” said Steve Zollo, senior vice president
and general manager of asset management for Platinum Equity.
“We are very pleased to have him at the helm of GeoLogic
Solutions, which is poised for growth in 2005.”
GeoLogic Solutions delivers comprehensive wireless and mobile
communications solutions to the transportation industry. Its
products include MobileMax™, a dual-mode mobile communications
system for fleet management and TrailerMax™ an event-driven,
user-configurable asset monitoring system for untethered trailers.
Nearly 50,000 of the company’s systems are in use by
more than 400 customers throughout the United States and Canada.
Mr. Lewis said he expects GeoLogic Solutions to thrive as
a standalone company. Before being acquired by Platinum, the
business operated as a division of Aether Systems Inc.
“All of the fundamentals are in place,” Mr. Lewis
said. “The management team has a deep understanding
of both technology and the transportation industry, and a
product set that provides real technology solutions for customers.
The company’s flagship product, MobileMax was the first
mobile communications and tracking system to utilize both
terrestrial and satellite-based networks. It automatically
selects the faster, lower-cost terrestrial network for data
transmission first, and switches seamlessly to the satellite
network when coverage is needed in remote areas. Use of this
dual-mode technology reduces monthly communications fees by
as much as 40% over the cost of satellite-only networks while
still providing the ubiquitous coverage that terrestrial-only
systems are unable to guarantee.
In addition to providing communications and tracking, MobileMax
automatically records state-line crossings, monitors driver
and vehicle performance, communicates engine fault codes and
alerts companies of driver arrival at/or departure from geofenced
locations.
The TrailerMax asset monitoring system for untethered trailers
features an event-driven, user-configurable system that utilizes
satellite communications. TrailerMax increases asset utilization,
protects fleets from unauthorized trailer movement and improves
overall profitability by providing trucking companies with
a clear vision of trailer activity.
Current MobileMax and/or TrailerMax customers include such
companies as: U.S. Xpress, CFI (Contract Freighters, Inc.),
National Carriers and JDC Logistics.
About Platinum Equity
Platinum Equity (www.platinumequity.com)
is a global M&A&O® firm specializing in the merger,
acquisition and operation of mission-critical services and
solutions companies. Since its founding in 1995, Platinum
Equity has acquired more than 50 businesses and built a portfolio
of global operating companies with more than 38,000 employees
and more than 600,000 customer sites. In 2004, Platinum Equity
was named the 32nd largest private company in the United States.
About GeoLogic Solutions
Formerly the Transportation Division of Aether Systems, GeoLogic
Solutions operates as a standalone company within the Platinum
Equity portfolio. Based in Owings Mills, Md., GeoLogic Solutions
provides the commercial trucking industry with wireless asset
management solutions that reduce operational costs while increasing
overall efficiency. GeoLogic’s MobileMax, a dual-mode
communications and tracking system and TrailerMax, a trailer
tracking and monitoring system, are installed on nearly 50,000
commercial trucks and trailers. For more information go to
www.goGeoLogic.com
Contacts:
Platinum Equity
Mark Barnhill
(310) 228-9514
mbarnhill@platinumequity.com
GeoLogic Solutions
Susan Fall
(858) 490-1050
susan@launchitpr.com
LOGO AND PHOTOS AVAILABLE AT www.goGeoLogic.com/newsevents.html |
