NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Encompass Group Affiliates, Inc. ("Encompass"), a wholly owned subsidiary and the principle operating unit of Advanced Communications Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:ADVC), announced today that Hurricane Charley has caused a temporary delay in fulfilling orders for customers of Cyber-Test, Inc. ("Cyber-Test"), its wholly owned subsidiary in Longwood, Florida. Cyber-Test expects full restoration within a few days with no long-term effects. No employees or their families have been injured or displaced as a result of the hurricane.
"On Friday (August 13), we closed Cyber-Test's operations at lunchtime to allow our employees to comply with local government directives which required people and their vehicles to be off the streets by 2PM," said Lisa Welton, President and CEO of Cyber-Test. Welton added, "Monday, we had a skeleton crew in to assess our situation and plan to restore service. We sustained no serious damage, but have been without municipal power and telephones. Yesterday, we resumed partial operations with approximately half of our staff and we have called all of our customers to inform them of our situation and to assure them that we can and will fulfill our obligations as quickly as possible."
Tom Sutlive, Cyber-Test's Vice President said, "We installed back-up generators to get our systems and production lines up and running until the power company can restore full power, which should be by the end of the week." He continued, "Yesterday was our first full day of work under our limited back-up power, and we are working with our customers to prioritize the fulfillment of orders."
Martin Nielson, Chairman of Cyber-Test and CEO of Encompass commented, "Lisa and Tom have done a great job of ensuring first that our employees were safe and then acting quickly to restore service to our customers. We are very fortunate that our employees and their families are safe and that the damage to personal property and to Cyber-Test is minimal."
Cyber-Test does not anticipate any negative short- or long-term financial effect as a result of Hurricane Charley.
About Encompass Group Affiliates, Inc.
Encompass Group Affiliates, Inc. ("Encompass") is the principle operating company of Advanced Communications Technologies, Inc. Based in New York City, Encompass seeks to acquire companies that complement its charter to become a leader in integrated technology and services. Encompass has acquired Cyber-Test, Inc., an established electronic equipment repair company based in Longwood, Florida and exclusive licenses to selected technology assets.
About Advanced Communications Technologies, Inc.
Advanced Communications Technologies, Inc. (the "Company") is a New York City-based holding company that, through its wholly owned subsidiary and principle operating unit Encompass Group Affiliates, Inc., owns Cyber-Test, Inc., an established electronic equipment repair company based in Longwood, Florida. The Company also owns a minority interest in Yorkville Advisors Management, LLC, an investment management partnership, through its wholly owned subsidiary Hudson Street Investments, Inc, and owns through SpectruCell, Inc., the rights to market and distribute in North and South America, SpectruCell, an in-development wireless-based telecommunications technology.
This release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, no assurances can be given that they will prove correct. The Company remains exposed to risk factors outlined in the Company's Prospectus and Annual Report on Form 10-KSB as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements made herein are not a guarantee of future corporate or stock performance.