Mattman Specialty Vehicles Completes Entry into Public Marketplace
SAN MARCOS, Calif.--Jan. 31, 2006--Mattman Specialty Vehicle, Inc. (OTC:MMSV) (www.mattmanvehicles.com), a Nevada-based publicly traded corporation, today announced the completion of its combination with J. Mattman Security, Inc. ("JMS"). As part of the transaction, the controlling shareholders of JMS have taken control of Mattman Specialty Vehicle, and JMS will become a wholly owned subsidiary accounting for 100% of Mattman Specialty Vehicle's operations going forward. In addition this transaction will increase the combined company's equity capital and liquidity by over $750,000.Mattman Specialty Vehicles, Inc. ("Mattman"), through its JMS subsidiary, is internationally recognized as the quality leader of commercial grade specialty vehicles, especially for security applications. Since 1990, Mattman has built over 500 units, including mobile command centers, SWAT transport units, surveillance vans, bomb trucks, mobile medical treatment units and corporate promotion vehicles. Mattman's superior reputation has made it one of the largest security vehicle suppliers to law enforcement in the world. Some of the Company's high profile clients include the Los Angeles Police Department, the New York Police Department, Sony Corporation, Black and Decker and the U.S. State Department. Mattman's commitment to quality is further evidenced by its 96% customer retention rate throughout its history. Mattman has experienced tremendous growth in recent years driven by Homeland Security spending domestically and military spending abroad. Sales for fiscal year end 7/31/05 totaled approximately $10 million, a 57% increase over the prior year. In addition, its existing nine-month backlog of $14 million should result in a growth rate of over 40% in the current year. The Company projects completing this fiscal year with a minimum of $14 million in gross revenues and an earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") of $1 million.
Mattman designs and manufactures vehicles for a broad array of clientele, including federal and municipal law enforcement agencies, fire departments, medical establishments, Fortune 500 corporations, airports and others. Mattman custom engineers modifications to production vehicles based on its client's specific need for interoperability, weapons access, protection level and aesthetic appeal. Recent advancements in technology, mobile services and new marketing innovations make applications for specialty vehicles almost endless.
Recent terrorist attacks have profoundly affected the way Americans view national security threats and their own sense of personal safety. The U.S. government has vowed to invest in projects designed to improve response management. The President's 2005 budget reflects a 780 percent increase in funding for first responders since September 11th. In total, more than $18 billion has been awarded to state and local governments to protect the homeland. At this time, Mattman's greatest growth potential lies in the law enforcement and military sectors due to recent worldwide terrorist events. Management estimates its market opportunity to be approximately $850 million per year and growing, with its core law enforcement and military market comprising over half that amount.
Mattman has established an enviable reputation in the specialty vehicle business by providing the finest quality specialty vehicles for over a decade. Mattman's unequivocal reputation spans the globe from the U.S. to China to Egypt to Siberia and to dozens of other locations worldwide. When lives may depend on a vehicle's quality, Mattman's longevity and reputation distinguishes it from its competitors.
John Mattman has served as President and CEO since 1991, and has been part of the company since its inception. He leads a senior management team with over 90 years of combined industry experience. The Company has 66 full-time employees, and it expects to expand to a total of 80 employees by the end of this fiscal year. In discussing the entry of Mattman into the public marketplace, John Mattman stated: "Mattman is currently experiencing an unprecedented level of customer demand. Entering the public marketplace at this time provides access to the capital we need to meet this demand at a more reasonable cost than we have paid as a private company. In addition, we now have publicly traded shares that can be utilized to take advantage of various strategic opportunities, including potential acquisitions. Lastly, the exposure received as a publicly traded stock can only serve to further bolster our reputation and further fuel our sales growth. Entering the public market at this time serves both our customers and shareholders."
Mattman has experienced strong growth in recent years, with a current growth rate of in excess of 50%. Sales for fiscal year 2005 totaled $9.9 million. Mattman's current backlog is in excess of $14 million. Mattman projects 2006 end-of-year sales to be approximately $14 million, with gross margins remaining in excess of 20%. EBITDA for fiscal 2005 was approximately $550,000, and will likely double in 2006 to over $1 million.
Mattman's JMS subsidiary was represented by B. Wilson Partners, LLC (www.bwilsonpartners.com) in this transaction.
ABOUT MATTMAN
Mattman was formed in 1983 by former Secret Service agent Jurg Mattman. The Company's primary service was dignitary and VIP protection. In 1984, Mattman was selected by the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee and AT&T to provide the security for the 1984 Olympic Torch Relay. In 1986, Mattman provided nationwide security for the event Hands Across America. Gaining recognition as experts in mega-events, the company provided risk management and security for Miller Brewing Mattman's "Biggest Party in History" and a Philip Morris-sponsored nationwide tour of the Bill of Rights in 1989 and 1990-1991, respectively.
The Bill of Rights tour required a mobile command post to be used by 26 former U.S. Marine Embassy Guards. Mattman's design and production of the unit thrust the Company into the specialty vehicles business in 1990. Since that time, Mattman has exited the VIP protection business to focus exclusively on specialty vehicle production and has built over 500 units for medical and educational institutions, law enforcement and commercial markets. Mattman has achieved a reputation as a leading manufacturer of mobile units for law enforcement, medical institutions and Fortune 500 corporations. Mattman units can be found as far as Beijing, Siberia, Egypt and Venezuela. Law enforcement command and tactical units are spread throughout the country from Logan Airport to Orlando, Washington state to San Diego. Mattman's goal has always been to provide the highest quality commercial use specialty vehicles available, with durability and aesthetics as its top priority. Private industry customers who have come to recognize Mattman's quality include Bank of America, Philip Morris Companies, Black and Decker, McDonalds, Hormel Foods, Nokia, Sony, Bilstein Corporation of America and EG&G Astrophysics, as well as the numerous law enforcement agencies listed in our references.
Mattman's production facility is located in San Marcos, which is in north San Diego County. A new 29,000-square-foot building houses all aspects of its manufacturing process except painting.
What sets Mattman apart from the majority of manufacturers is commercial grade construction, attention to detail and documented quality control performed on a daily basis.