SecurityWorldMarket

28/01/2009

4C Controls acquires UAE security & surveillance company

New York, USA

4C Controls has signed a binding agreement to acquire Zahra Technology LLC and its wholly owned subsidiary Zahra Security Systems and Electricals LLC.

Under the terms of the agreement, 4C Controls will acquire 80 percent of Zahra in return for an undisclosed combination of cash and securities of 4C Controls. The
founders and senior management of Zahra will retain 20 percent ownership of Zahra. The parties anticipate signing a supplemental agreement regarding definitive details applicable to the transaction and closing the acquisition prior to the end of the third quarter 2008. The acquisition of Zahra is the first of further strategic acquisitions which 4C plans as part of its growth strategy and business model.

4C Controls intends to utilize Zahra to facilitate growth in international sales and operations. In 2007, Zahra had gross revenues of approximately USD 11.8 million
and expects to close 2008 with revenues of approximately USD 25 million. Zahra currently has 105 employees of whom 37 are engineers, 44 are technicians and 24 are office staff. 4C Controls anticipates that substantially all will continue working for the company after the closing of the acquisition.

Since Zahra's inception in 1983, the company has been a provider of high technology products, services and solutions for the security and communication industry in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and throughout the United Arab Emirates. Zahra is a manufacturer, trader & exporter of Access Control Systems, Building Management Systems, Intercom, Video Conferencing, CCTV Surveillance System,
Communication Solutions- Telex, Copyette EH, EDAT/ZIN-Digital Conversion Cards, CDP 2001, XGEN, Narrator/Tutor and Replica. It is also a Card Solution supplier, integrator and provider.

Zahra's integrated security, surveillance and access controls clients include the highest levels of governmental organizations, such as Crown Prince Management (Abu Dhabi), Central Military Academy (Dubai), Abu Dhabi Defense, General Postal Authority, Ministry of Labor Office and Social Affairs, Dubai Airport Facility, Dubai Broadcasting Corporation. Zahra's current portfolio of products and services is extensive, and Zahra foresees to further grow by continuing to align itself with the latest innovations in the field, and capitalizing on its track record
with the many prestigious and noteworthy clients that Zahra has served, including the following

• U.A.E. Central Bank, Barclays Bank, Citibank
• ABN Amro Bank, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
• Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Zayed University
• Cisco Systems, Philips Middle East, Pfizer Intl. Corp.

The acquisition of Zahra will provide 4C Controls with high quality references and experienced high technology engineering and technical teams to execute large
scale projects, especially in connection with the 4C Controls strategic alliance with Sire Contracting Company. Zahra will change its name to 4C Security Systems
UAE to unify and extend the 4C Controls international brand.

Mr. Jean-Robert Martin, president and chairman of 4C Controls, stated: "Government and commercial enterprises have complex security and surveillance
needs, and they require more attentive and sophisticated partners to help them solve these challenges. With the addition of Zahra to our products and services capabilities, we can quickly customize and deliver integrated high technology solutions for our worldwide customers thereby being responsive to their unique needs on all fronts.

"Our end-to-end solutions will be significantly enhanced with broad scale security risk assessment, custom system design and specialized component structures. Zahra has a platinum quality track record working with major governmental and commercial organizations. We are very pleased to have Zahra join us and we look forward to having them grow with us."

"The opportunity to join forces with 4C Controls and see our capabilities flourish inside a global satellite, satellite images, security, surveillance and access controls platform is compelling," said Samir Sajwani, founder and Deputy CEO of Zahra. "We are confident that, with 4C Controls, we can continually improve results and aggressively grow our Middle East regional and international client base."

Mr. Anastasios Angeloglou, CEO of BQT Solutions Limited with whom 4C Controls has a strategic alliance, said: "We anticipate the acquisition of Zahra by 4C Controls to provide long-term developmental benefits to all parties. We expect Zahra to deliver strong sales and revenue channels for 4C Controls as well as BQT Solutions products and services in the booming market in the Middle East. We also intend to open up distribution for Zahra in our global markets."


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