Liquidmetal(R) Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:LQMT) announced it has
entered into a joint venture agreement with SAGA, SpA in Padova,
Italy, a specialist precision part manufacturer to establish the first
Liquidmetal(R) manufacturing operation in Europe in Padova, Italy. The
announcement comes in response to a rapidly growing interest and
customer base in Liquidmetal which calls for expanded licensing
arrangements in strategic locations worldwide to satisfy this need and
help accelerate the adoption of Liquidmetal.
According to Ricardo Salas, President and CEO, "This marks another
major step in the execution of our strategy to accelerate the adoption
of our technology and to truly make Liquidmetal pervasive around the
world. With this joint venture, we will be able to better serve
Safilo, but also be able to more rapidly penetrate the markets in
Italy and Europe. We have gained a great partner in SAGA which will
further assist in the development of our new technology as they add
their 30 years of experience in the manufacturing of precision
components with their customers in Italy."
The joint venture, to be called Liquidmetal SAGA Italy, Srl (LSI)
will have an exclusive manufacturing license for the eyewear industry.
The joint venture will initially focus on the development and
commercialization of eyewear with Safilo SpA, a worldwide leader in
luxury eyewear, supplying frames and sunglasses for most of the luxury
brands with operations in more than 120 countries worldwide.
SAGA is recognized as an innovative, high quality manufacturer of
precision parts across a diverse customer base. Since its founding
more than 30 years ago, SAGA has long-standing relationships with
customers in various industries including automotive, industrial and
household products. Aronne Meneghetti, CEO of SAGA, commented, "SAGA
is enthusiastic about the prospects of leveraging the unique
properties of the Liquidmetal alloys in delivering precision parts to
new and existing customers. Our collaborative effort in LSI promises
to expand our business opportunities for both Liquidmetal Technologies
and SAGA."
About Liquidmetal Technologies
Liquidmetal Technologies (www.liquidmetal.com) is the leading
developer, manufacturer, and marketer of products made from amorphous
alloys. Amorphous alloys are unique materials that are characterized
by a random atomic structure, in contrast to the crystalline atomic
structure - possessed by ordinary metals and alloys. Bulk
Liquidmetal(R) alloys are two to three times stronger than commonly
used titanium alloys, harder than tool steel, and relatively
non-corrosive and wear resistant. Bulk Liquidmetal alloys can also be
molded into precision net-shaped parts similar to plastics, resulting
in intricate and sophisticated engineered designs. Liquidmetal
Technologies is the first company to produce amorphous alloys in
commercially viable bulk form, enabling significant improvements in
products across a wide array of industries. The combination of a super
alloy's performance coupled with unique processing advantages
positions Liquidmetal alloys for what the company believes will be The
Third Revolution(TM) in material science.