While it doesn’t sound like ActewAGL will be replacing all 28,000 poles next week, it does sound like they will use RStandard poles when they do replace them.
RS Poles Gain Australian Patent and Market Acceptance
9:10 am EDT, Tuesday October 6, 2009
RStandard® Composite Poles Provide Unique Solution for Australia's ActewAGL
CALGARY, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Resin Systems Inc. ("RS") (RS - TSX), a technology innovator and manufacturer of advanced composite products for infrastructure markets, announces it has secured an Australian patent for its "method of modular pole construction and modular pole assembly." This patent is in addition to RS's previously awarded Chinese and Canadian patents and supports the company's broader commercial strategy of protecting its unique technology in international markets.
The importance of the Australian patent approval is underscored by RS's fourth shipment this year of a full freight container (74 RStandard® composite poles) to its Australian distributor, Armor Utility Structures. As with the prior RS pole shipments, the poles are destined for ActewAGL, the utility serving Canberra. ActewAGL is utilizing RStandard poles to replace degraded wood distribution poles located in difficult to access locations, such as homeowner backyards and alleys.
ActewAGL acting general manager networks division, Stephen Devlin, said, "ActewAGL has approximately 28,000 low voltage poles located within residential and commercial backyards within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). This is a legacy of Canberra's original planning days. The RStandard poles are light enough for line crews to hand carry and erect the poles without the need for heavy lift cranes which cannot access the installation sites. Restricted access to backyards does not allow for the installation of standard wooden, concrete, or steel single piece poles. The only multi-piece poles available for installation with a lifting beam are composite and steel. The advantages of composite poles compared with steel poles are lighter weight, non-conductive, non-corrosive and less expensive."
In addition, the expected service life of RStandard poles is greater than 80 years, creating the lowest ownership cost of any pole on the market.
Hugh Oldfield, chief executive officer of Armor Utility Structures, stated, "The RS composite utility pole has had an excellent reception in the Australian market. Across the country, major utilities have piloted the RS composite pole in a wide variety of geographical locations to ensure the industry as a whole can experience and realize the benefits of RStandard poles. Utilities have been placing follow up orders to take advantage of installation efficiencies and life cycle cost savings identified during these trials."
Paul Giannelia, president and chief executive officer of RS, is pleased to see the demand for RStandard composite poles growing around the world, stating "It is quite satisfying to see the enthusiasm our customers have for our RStandard products. They recognize the value proposition of a strong, task flexible, maintenance-free pole that is easy to assemble and quick to install. We are all pleased to see the list of satisfied and repeat customers growing."
About ActewAGL
ActewAGL, which is located in Canberra, Australia, is a multi-utility that provides a range of services including electricity, natural gas, green energy, water and wastewater. For more information, visit www.actewagl.com.au.
About Armor Utility Structures
Armor Utility Structures is a wholly owned subsidiary of Armor Australia Pty, Limited ("Armor"), which is a composite materials engineering and manufacturing company specializing in composite moulding armour panel applications. Armor works within a variety of industries providing engineered composite solutions from design and prototyping through to providing fully designed and operational production cells. Since 2004, Armor has been engaged by the Australian electrical energy transmission and distribution industry to investigate the use of fibre composites to meet the industry's growing need for replacement of its utility pole structures. Armor is located in Sydney, Australia.
About RS
RS is a technology innovator that develops advanced composite material products for infrastructure markets. The composite products manufactured using the company's proprietary resins and processes are typically lighter, more durable and longer-lasting than competing products made from the traditional building blocks of wood, steel or concrete. RS's flagship product is its award-winning RStandard® composite pole. The pole is used as transmission and distribution poles to carry electric grids and as communication structures for various uses including wireless networks and microwave communications systems.
For the latest on RS's developments, go to the company's website at www.grouprsi.com.
"RStandard" is a registered trademark of RS
