POINT ROBERTS, Wash., Jan. 12, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Homelanddefensestocks.com, a global investment research portal for the Homeland Defense and Security Sector is pleased to provide investors news, information, public company profiles and developing trends in the sector. Over the past year the industry has witnessed the integration of the technologies of small niche companies into the larger more established Defense and Biometric companies through acquisitions, joint ventures, mergers and teaming agreements. New and ongoing security threats have incited government and industry to invest substantially in new technologies including IT, biodefense, and explosive detection equipment. The sector has also realized higher M&A values as the trend continues. Featured company Markland Technologies (OTCBB:MRKL) has participated and benefited from industry trends including a growth through acquisition strategy, a recently announced teaming agreement with BP International (http://www.bpintl.com/) and a technology integration contract with Computer Sciences Corporation as part of the overall contract to maintain and enhance systems for processing travelers crossing U.S. borders.
Homelanddefensestock.com includes a growing list of public companies in the sector. The following is a partial list of companies involved in Homeland Defense and security technology and solutions: www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Articles/StockList.asp
The site does not make recommendations but offers a unique information portal to investors to research news, articles, and recent research. The site is currently compensated by featured company Markland Technologies (OTCBB:MRKL).
Recent acquisitions, mergers and teaming agreements include:
January 8, 2004 -- SRA International, Inc., a leading provider of information technology services and solutions to the federal government, announced an agreement to acquire ORION Scientific Systems, which specializes in counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and law enforcement services and products.
January 8, 2004 -- Markland announced the signing of a Teaming Agreement with BP International to increase sales of the Companies' Security Goods and Services to US Department of State Facilities and Border Crossings. BP International is a member of the EmbSEC Joint Venture. It manages and operates a contract for the U.S. State Department that provides security installation support services for embassies and diplomatic posts worldwide. BP International provides program management, acquisition support services for the materials and supplies used on the contract, project management systems and performance management programs. The agreement is designed to help Markland to deploy its Homeland Security technologies and services at State Department facilities, and expand the services and capabilities of BP International at the US Border Crossings where Markland is currently maintaining "trusted traveler" systems.
December 22, 2003 -- L-3 Communications Corp. acquired certain assets of Ipitek, the defense and aerospace division of Ipicom Inc., for $27.5 million in cash.
December 19, 2003 -- OSI Systems, Inc., a global leader in security and inspection solutions to airports, port and border customs facilities, correctional institutions, and other government and private installations, announced it signed an agreement to acquire Advanced Research and Applications Corporation (ARACOR).
December 10, 2003 -- Markland Technologies announced a contract award with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC:NYSE) to provide services to the Department of Homeland Security. In the release they stated, "The awarding of a contract from Computer Sciences Corporation is to provide support services to ports of entry at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa, CA. San Ysidro, CA, the busiest land border crossing in the world. The award was granted to Markland's wholly owned subsidiary ERGO systems for a period starting December 8, 2003 until September 2004, with an option for extension. CSC is a key provider of software engineering services to the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. CSC has been providing services to INS under the Service Technology Alliance Resources (STARS) program since 1999. CSC was recently awarded an $88 million dollar contract under the Starlight program, which will replace the STARS program. CSC is tasked to maintain and enhance systems that process travelers crossing US borders under this new contract. CSC reported revenue of $13.0 billion for the 12 months ended October 3, 2003.
December 9, 2003 -- Implant Sciences Corporation announced signing an exclusive agreement with InVision Technologies, Inc. to jointly evaluate the capabilities of their non-contact trace explosives detection technology for future incorporation in an automated explosives detection system for airport checkpoint screening of passengers and/or carry-on bags.
Resource for Investors to Review Mergers and Acquisitions http://www.washingtontechnology.com/mergers/
Featured Company:
Markland Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:MRKL) www.marklandtech.com
About Homelanddefensestocks.com: The global investment portal features news, research, homeland security links, featured and exclusive articles and companies participating in security technology solutions. Areas include: Agriterrorism, Airport Security, Biodefense, Biometrics, Defense, Internet Security, Integrated Security, Military, Border and Port Security. Homelanddefensestocks.com is a unique top ranked investor research portal on Yahoo and Google that provides original content as well as third party content.
ECON Investor Relations Inc., (ECON Corporate Services) owner of the domain www.homelanddefensestocks.com, is a privately owned corporate communications company specializing in investor relations, media relations and research in public companies and industry sectors for the investment community. Nothing on the site should be construed as an offer or solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell any specific products or securities. Although we attempt to research thoroughly, there are no guarantees in accuracy. We encourage all investors to use our research as a resource only, but to further their own research on all featured companies, industry research and articles featured. Our Investor Pick of the Month is not a solicitation, but should only be viewed as a suggestion. Featured company Markland Technologies compensates ECON.
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