Wonderware and Pantek restructure into SolutionsPT

Pantek will also be relocating to new offices at Cheadle Royal, Cheadle, Cheshire, early in February 2007. Relocation to this new, custom-designed building is happening at the same time as the restructuring and will provide an excellent launch pad for the new business.

From 12 February 2007 the Pantek Group will rename its Pantek Limited UK and Ireland operation as SolutionsPT Limited. SolutionsPT will undertake all the activities that are currently undertaken by Pantek. With the signing of the new Wonderware 'Star Plus Gold' Distribution Agreement, SolutionsPT has been authorised to conduct business under the Wonderware United Kingdom and Wonderware Ireland brands, emphasising the closeness of the relationship between the two companies. Both of these identities will be wholly owned within SolutionsPT, an operating company of the Pantek Group.

John Bailey, Managing Director of SolutionsPT, states: "The restructuring of the Company and the re-branding of Pantek Ltd allows the company to provide close-coupled business delivery with its key suppliers, especially Wonderware. This will be especially felt as globalisation results in business being executed across more national boundaries. The uptake of ArchestrA technology and its measurable deployment cost savings is partially the rationale of this restructure. SolutionsPT, in combination with activities under the Wonderware United Kingdom and Wonderware Ireland brands, will be able to respond to the expectations of globalised companies. Restructuring also delivers many advantages to our system integration partners by engaging with new business opportunities."

Mike Bradley, President of the Wonderware Business Unit of Invensys plc, comments: "This agreement is the next major stage in the development of our longstanding relationship with Pantek. In order to best deliver successful results for customers using ArchestrA technology, it requires new technical skills, organisation and consulting capabilities. We believe that SolutionsPT has the skills and structure to deliver our latest System Platform, Clients, Modules and QuickStarts to customers. This is recognised by Wonderware granting the use of our branding for the new Company's activities under Wonderware United Kingdom and Wonderware Ireland. This connection will benefit all customers and we welcome the restructure as a significant commitment to business. We wish SolutionsPT every success in their new offices."

Bailey adds: "The primary groupings within SolutionsPT will reinforce our capability to deliver benefits and advantages in all areas of our portfolio, whether software hardware or enterprise manufacturing solutions. The number of effective initiatives made during 2006 has been astounding, with Industrial Ethernet, high-availability computing, wireless technology and Wonderware's System Platform amongst many others. The single entity of SolutionsPT will mean that the company can be truly seen as having the most comprehensive and effective scope of delivery within its chosen position in the manufacturing information and control market."

The separate identities ascribed to Wonderware United Kingdom and Wonderware Ireland will allow operations to be tailored to meet the differing market conditions, business methods and mix of industrial sectors within the two countries, whilst retaining access to support, training and consultancy services.

Bailey says: "The changes will challenge our people, as changes do, but the restructuring has been well received internally and we are raring to go with our new identity. There are significant new issues in our market including more regulation, leaner manufacturing, whole-business integration and higher expectations of perfect quality. SolutionsPT is well positioned to be a natural partner to manufacturers striving to achieve these goals, with products and know-how that produce effective and sustainable benefits."