SAN DIEGO, May 3, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- JMAR Technologies Inc. will deliver and install a pre-production model of its real-time microorganism monitoring system for Kimpen S.A. de C.V., of Merida, Mexico. Kimpen is Mexico's leading beverage development and manufacturing company.
Under a recent contract, Kimpen will test the BioSentryTM in its research lab for two months and then, following successful completion of an agreed test plan, will purchase and install two systems in two of its Yucatan Peninsula factories. Following successful operational testing, Kimpen will install at least one system in each of its 15 factories. A total of 17 BioSentry system installations are planned.
"Our beverages reach millions of consumers and we need to guarantee that each one is getting the purest product we can provide," said Adolfo Herrera Hiza, Kimpen general manager. "The BioSentry represents a great alternative to the currently available water quality testing methods. As it monitors continuously and delivers feedback in real-time, it will allow us to respond to problems effectively while optimizing our production schedule."
Kimpen, the largest bottled beverage supplier in Mexico, serves the Yucatan, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz and Chiapas regions. It produces purified water, carbonated drinks, juices and punches for more than 59,000 domestic and international customers. Kimpen generated $300 million in revenues for 2004.
"In an operation of Kimpen's size, consistency of quality is a critical and challenging benchmark," said Ronald A. Walrod, CEO of JMAR. "We believe that by providing the means for continuous monitoring for microorganisms and integrating detection data into their centralized purity control system, we can help Kimpen maintain the highest standards of purity throughout its production facilities."
Kimpen represents JMAR's second BioSentry test installation. Olivenhain Municipal Water District announced earlier this year that it will employ three such systems to monitor raw influent water, treated effluent water and distribution system water at its water treatment facility.
The BioSentry is a laser-based early-warning system provides continuous, automated monitoring of drinking water quality. This unique system is designed to monitor, detect and classify waterborne microorganisms in real time, assuring water purity. Prospective applications include beverage bottling quality assurance, water utility operations, cruise ship water monitoring and homeland security for building water supply and water distribution systems.
JMAR Technologies, Inc. (www.jmar.com) is a developer of laser-based equipment for imaging, analysis and fabrication at the nano-scale. With a decade of laser and photonics research, it develops a diverse portfolio of products with commercial applications in rapidly growing industries while continuing to carry out R&D for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and support for the U.S. Government's Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) semiconductor fabrication facility. JMAR also develops, manufactures and markets its BioSentry microorganism early warning system and maintains a strategic alliance for the production of the READ chemical sensor for homeland security, environmental and utility infrastructure industries.
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