The time between October 4 and 8 was an interesting several days for American Access Technologies (www.aatk.com). On Thursday, October 4, the company announced that it had appointed Thomas Swihart, RCDD to its newly created advisory board. And on October 8, news of an American Access subsidiary�s government contract sent its stock activity into a whirlwind.
Swihart is a technology consultant �who became a proponent of the zone cabling concept before support products had been invented, in an industry that favored another method of cabling,� as the company described him in announcing his appointment on the 4th.
Swihart is a consultant to end users, office-furniture makers, and furniture dealers. He is also an electrical engineer.
He said that in 1994 he turned his attention toward zone cabling as an agent of system flexibility and cost savings. �At that time, we could see the opportunity, but the right products to support the implementations did not exist. There was also a great deal of momentum from manufacturers, designers, standards bodies, and contractors to stay with the home-run cables installed as part of structured wiring installations.�
But much has changed since then, he says. Zone-cabling products on the market today have helped fill the gap, he says. �Many major telecommunications manufacturers are now offering private-labeled American Access cabinets as part of their standard offerings. Designers are considering zone cabling as an option, and progressive contractors are encouraging customers to try zone cabling where appropriate.� He adds that the information-technology professionals he�s talked to who have tried zone cabling agree that the approach makes sense.
�Finally,� Swihart says, �the organizations that write the telecommunications standards are now considering how to incorporate zone products and techniques into their standards.�
Swihart joins Brad White, an information-technology consultant, on the American Access board. The company says that advisory board members will help evaluate joint ventures, pending and future private-label agreements, and possible future acquisitions and mergers. Advisory-board members also may make presentations and other public appearances on behalf of the company.
On October 8, American Access announced that Omega Metals, a wholly owned subsidiary, has been awarded a contract to supply the U.S. government with 7,000 specialized alarms that detect chemical warfare. Matthews Associates, the contractor for the government job, awarded the subcontract to Omega. Last year, Omega produced 6,000 alarms for the government.
Shares of American Access Technologies stock finished up 1.75 points to $2.92�an increase of 150% over the $1.17 closing figure on Friday, October 5. On average, less than 6,000 shares of the company�s stock are traded daily; more than 937,000 shares were exchanged October 8. At one point during the day, the stock price rose as high as $3.50.
