Cypress, Ca—Jun 26, 2006
Christie Ramps Up Projector Production as Digital Cinema Contracts Surge Worldwide
Company Will Achieve 400% Increase in Production by End of Year
Christie Digital Systems, Inc., a leading provider
of visual solutions for business, entertainment and industry, continues to
significantly accelerate production of the company's popular line of Christie CP2000
DLP Cinema® projectors, the industry's most acclaimed 2K-resolution projector with
60% of all installations in theatres worldwide.
Since announcing its contract through Christie/AIX (a collaboration with Access
Integrated Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIXD)) with U.S.-based Carmike Cinemas, Inc.
(NASDAQ: CKEC) for the installation of up to 2,300 projectors, Christie has
fortified its leadership in the world's largest deployment of Digital Cinema
systems. To keep pace with the demand, the Company's Canadian facility has already
increased manufacturing capacity to meet the demand, putting it on target to deliver
up to 400 units per month by the end of 2006 - a 400% increase in production in one
year. The company plans additional expansions in the coming year as 2K-resolution
DLP Cinema, the heart of the Christie CP2000, becomes the industry standard.
As part of its aggressive expansion in manufacturing capacity, Christie is also
hiring additional technical and administrative staff that includes electronics,
mechanical and optical engineers, technicians and industry experts. Christie has
also implemented rigorous in-house educational and training programs designed to
further maximize efficiency levels, streamline production, and deliver quality
control standards that are among the highest in the industry. This includes an
extensive global quality initiative and continuous improvements through Kaizen
practices to ensure consistent conformance to customer expectations, while
maintaining the highest standards of quality.
"More than any other company, Christie has anticipated, championed, and prepared for
the Digital Cinema revolution," remarked Jack Kline, president and COO, Christie
Digital Systems USA, Inc. "We have dramatically expanded our manufacturing facility
and are increasing our production lines from two to six, and extensively
restructuring our space and production methods to meet increased demand."
Kline added, "We have long recognized Digital Cinema as offering excellent
opportunities for exhibitors; yet, more than any other provider, we have also
recognized the unique challenges of incorporating the technology into current
systems - or transitioning completely from film. Exhibitors need a partner who
fully understands their needs-this is where our 75 years of experience becomes
invaluable."
In addition to the nearly 4,000 projectors bound for North American theatres,
Christie has been contracted to deliver hundreds of systems to the European and
Asian markets.
