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EMS Aviation’s Aspire™ In-Flight Connectivity System Makes European Debut

Dépèche transmise le 16 mai 2011 par Business Wire

EMS Aviation’s Aspire™ In-Flight Connectivity System Makes European Debut

ATLANTA & GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EMS Aviation, a division of mobile connectivity leader EMS Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELMG) today announced that its Aspire family of satellite-based in-flight connectivity systems — which includes the new Aspire AirMail portable e-mail product and a color touch screen handset — will make its European debut at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland May 17 – 19 (booth #1443).

“In addition, EMS has created a high quality aviation-specific handset solution, instead of using more readily available, commercial off-the-shelf components”

“We are excited to present Aspire in-flight connectivity solutions to the European business jet market at EBACE2011,” said John Jarrell, Vice President and General Manager, EMS Aviation. “In-flight connectivity has become an essential element of aircraft operation and our Aspire products’ ease of installation, upgrade and operation make it simple for operators to fly like they live with seamless, global connections.”

The Aspire 200 system recently achieved airworthiness certification and began shipping in North America this spring. The first installation is currently underway on a Hawker 4000 and future installations of the system on a Cessna Sovereign and several other platforms will be completed by the end of the summer.

Designed to deliver feature-rich voice and data connectivity to owners and operators of small- and medium-sized business aircraft, Aspire products utilize standard wiring configuration and interfaces to support either Inmarsat or Iridium components. Users can easily change or upgrade systems without rewiring the aircraft or changing out the avionics racks. EMS Aviation plans to expand the Aspire product line in phases and additional Supplemental Type Certifications (STCs) for several other aircraft types — including the Bombardier Challenger 300, Cessna Citation XLS/XLS+ and Dassault Falcon 2000 — are also being pursued.

“In addition, EMS has created a high quality aviation-specific handset solution, instead of using more readily available, commercial off-the-shelf components,” said Timothy Roberts, Director, Aspire Global Solutions, EMS Aviation. “Aspire systems enable passengers and crew to make calls that offer the quality of a landline connection. As business aviation’s first Smartphone platform, the Aspire systems also provide added features such as the ability to check e-mail and control many aspects of the cabin management system; all things that, today, have come to be expected while flying.”

Visit the EMS Aviation booth (#1443) at EBACE2011.

About EMS Technologies

As one of the world’s leading providers of wireless connectivity solutions, EMS Technologies, Inc. keeps people and systems connected — on land, at sea, in the air or in space. EMS offers industry-leading technology to support Aero Connectivity and Global Resource Management markets though a broad range of cutting-edge satellite and terrestrial network products; helping businesses, assets and people stay connected and promoting universal mobility, visibility and intelligence. EMS (NASDAQ: ELMG) serves customers through operations in 12 countries.

www.ems-t.com

EMS Aviation, a division of EMS Technologies, Inc., is a leading supplier of connectivity and in-cabin infrastructure equipment for a broad range of commercial and military aircraft. EMS Aviation’s products and services are designed to enable reliable worldwide Internet connectivity and in-flight entertainment, satellite-based messaging and tracking, rugged data management and storage, and data record and replay. The division is a leader in Inmarsat®, Iridium, Ku band and air-to-ground mobile connectivity solutions, with proven commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) systems.

www.emsaviation.com

NOTE: EMS Aviation invites the news media to a cocktail reception on Tuesday, May 17 from 16:00 – 17:00 at the EMS Aviation booth (#1443) at EBACE2011. In addition to showcasing the Aspire family’s features, EMS will be co-exhibiting with Eclipse, a prominent avionics dealer and France’s sole Inmarsat provider. Product experts from EMS Aviation and Eclipse will be available for interviews.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proxy contest initiated by MMI Investments, L.P., EMS Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) has filed a preliminary Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Shareholders are urged to read the Proxy Statement, as well as other documents filed with the SEC, because they will contain important information. The definitive Proxy Statement will be mailed to shareholders of the Company. Shareholders may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other documents filed with the SEC at the Company’s website (www.ems-t.com) under the heading “Investor Relations”, at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov), or by contacting the Company at (770) 729-6512. Shareholders should read carefully the definitive proxy statement and WHITE proxy card when they become available before making any voting decision.

Information Regarding Participants

The Company, its directors and certain of its officers and employees are participants in a solicitation of proxies in connection with the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Information with respect to the identity of these participants in the solicitation and a description of their direct or indirect interest in the Company, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the preliminary Proxy Statement filed by the Company with the SEC on March 10, 2011. Shareholders may obtain free copies of this information at the Company’s website (www.ems-t.com) under the heading “Investor Relations,” the SEC’s website at (www.sec.gov), or by contacting the Company at (770) 729-6512 or 660 Engineering Drive, Norcross, Georgia 30092, Attention: Secretary. As of the date hereof, the Company’s directors, officer and employees who are participants collectively own an aggregate of: (1) 564,488 shares of common stock of the Company, including options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days, and (2) 61,193 nonvoting phantom-share units.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding the Company’s expectations for its financial results for 2011 and the potential for various businesses and products are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those statements as a result of a wide variety of factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad and their effect on capital spending in our principal markets; difficulty predicting the timing of receipt of major customer orders, and the effect of customer timing decisions on our results; our successful completion of technological development programs and the effects of technology that may be developed by, and patent rights that may be held or obtained by, competitors; U.S. defense budget pressures on near-term spending priorities; uncertainties inherent in the process of converting contract awards into firm contractual orders in the future; volatility of foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar and their effect on purchasing power by international customers, and on the cost structure of the our operations outside the U.S., as well as the potential for realizing foreign exchange gains and losses associated with assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies; successful resolution of technical problems, proposed scope changes, or proposed funding changes that may be encountered on contracts; changes in our consolidated effective income tax rate caused by the extent to which actual taxable earnings in the U.S., Canada and other taxing jurisdictions may vary from expected taxable earnings, changes in tax laws, and the extent to which deferred tax assets are considered realizable; successful transition of products from development stages to an efficient manufacturing environment; changes in the rates at which our products are returned for repair or replacement under warranty; customer response to new products and services, and general conditions in our target markets (such as logistics and space-based communications) and whether these responses and conditions develop according to our expectations; the increased potential for asset impairment charges as unfavorable economic or financial market conditions or other developments might affect the estimated fair value of one or more of our business units; the success of certain of our customers in marketing our line of high-speed commercial airline communications products as a complementary offering with their own lines of avionics products; the availability of financing for various mobile and high-speed data communications systems; risk that unsettled conditions in the credit markets may make it more difficult for some customers to obtain financing and adversely affect their ability to pay, which in turn could have an adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition; development of successful working relationships with local business and government personnel in connection with distribution and manufacture of products in foreign countries; the demand growth for various mobile and high-speed data communications services; our ability to attract and retain qualified senior management and other personnel, particularly those with key technical skills; our ability to effectively integrate our acquired businesses, products or technologies into our existing businesses and products, and the risk that any such acquired businesses, products or technologies do not perform as expected, are subject to undisclosed or unanticipated liabilities, or are otherwise dilutive to our earnings; the potential effects, on cash and results of discontinued operations, of final resolution of potential liabilities under warranties and representations that we made, and obligations assumed by purchasers, in connection with our dispositions of discontinued operations; the availability, capabilities and performance of suppliers of basic materials, electronic components and sophisticated subsystems on which we must rely in order to perform according to contract requirements, or to introduce new products on the desired schedule; uncertainties associated with U.S. export controls and the export license process, which restrict our ability to hold technical discussions with customers, suppliers and internal engineering resources and can reduce our ability to obtain sales from customers outside the U.S. or to perform contracts with the desired level of efficiency or profitability; our ability to maintain compliance with the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Communications Commission, and with other government regulations affecting our products and their production, service and functioning; and costs associated with a recent announcement by one of shareholders that it intends to nominate four directors to our Board. Further information concerning relevant factors and risks are identified under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.