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Kart Expo International

FYI ARCHIVES
11-05-2000
  • KARTS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES CORPORATE MANAGEMENT RESTRUCTURING

  • Roseland, Louisiana (November 1, 2000) - Karts International Incorporated (OTCBB:KINT), one of the largest manufacturers of recreational (fun) go-karts in the United States, announced today significant additions to its management team and additions to its Board of Directors.

    The Company announced three additions to its Board of Directors including newly appointed Chairman Blair benGerald. Mr. benGerald has been engaged as an independent financial consultant and intermediary to public companies and investors for more than five years. He has held various executive level positions in turnaround situations in the oil and gas industries and has chaired privately-held oil and gas exploration development and production companies.

    KII also appointed Timotheus benHarold Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and a member of the Board of Directors. He bring extensive experience from the business and marketing consulting fields. Past clients that he has consulted include Microsoft, Zenith, Apple Computer, The Trade Show Bureau and numerous executive level individuals. In addition to consulting, he has been involved with developing several real estate investment firms.

    Geoffrey Ben Richard, who was recently appointed the Company’s Executive Vice President - Legal Affairs and Secretary was also made a member of the Board. Mr. benRichard is a noted lecturer as a pastor and retired lawyer in the fields of comparative government, self-determination, constitutional law and ecclesiastical law, specializing in corporation sole trailing. He is an Almoner and Pastor of Christian Almhouse in the Olde Culdee Church, both corporations sole.

    Karts International is also please to announce newly appointed Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Edward H. Cook who brings to the Company more than 12 years of experience in financial management, including managerial accounting, risk analysis, financial planning and cost/schedule management. Most recently, Mr. Cook served as Financial Analysis Consultant at Verizon Communications/GTE where he has held several financial management positions since 1995. During his tenure, Mr. Cook directed due diligence financial/business analysis of GTE’s largest business projects and opportunities. Prior to Verizon Communications/GTE, Mr. Cook served as an International Logistics Support Coordination of Texas Instruments, Defense Systems and Electronics Group, a $2 billion manufacturer of military supplies. Mr. Cook received a BS in Accounting and a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) from Louisiana Tech University. He is also a Certifies Management Accountant.

    Additionally, Edward Zenk was recently promoted to Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. Mr. Zenk has, for the past three years, been Vice President of Sales and Marketing for USA Industries, a Karts International Inc. company. He brings to the company, over 20 years in sale management and has extensive experience in the hardware, home center and farm and home markets, with companies such as AirCare Industries and Sanborne Manufacturing.

    “The recent restructuring of our Board and management team signals an exciting turning point for the Company,” stated Charles Brister, President and Chief Executive Officer of Karts International. “Our new team has already initiated aggressive plans to revitalize the Company to become the market’s most respected supplier of fun karts and related products.

    “We are please by the progress the Company is making in terms of strengthening its management team, Board and manufacturing operations.” Stated Mr. benGarald. We are also excited that Charles (Chuck) Brister, who shepherded the Company to record revenue growth and profitability in the mid 1990s as a private enterprise, has resumed his position as President and CEO of Karts International.”

    Mr. Brister, a Director of the Company since March, 1996, has served as President and CEO since January, 1999 and has renewed his existing contract with the Company for an additional three-year term through June, 2003. Mr. Brister holds numerous patents, and is recognized as a leading innovator in the motor sports industry.

    The Company also announced that it has retained FOCUS Partners LLC (www.focuspartners.com) as investor relations counsel to keep shareholders and the financial community well informed and to ensure that Karts International maintains clear and constant lines of communication. “Their broad financial knowledge and Wall Street experience will both facilitate clear communications with our current shareholders and will increase our visibility with targeted investors,” stated Mr. benGerald. FOCUS Partners LLC is a New York-based financial services firm internationally recognized for its corporate and financial communications expertise, including strategic counseling capabilities.

    Karts International incorporated, through its three wholly owned subsidiaries; Brister’s Thunder Karts, Inc., USA Industries, Inc., and Straight Line Manufacturing Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers of recreational go-karts in the United States. The Company currently has an exclusive licensing agreement with Polaris Industries to design and distribute Polaris go-karts and mini-bikes. Karts international is headquartered in Roseland, Louisiana.
     

  • WEBSITE FEATURERS LYN ST. JAMES FOUNDATION AND MORE
    Friend to kart racing and auto racer, Lyn St. James has announced her new web site which features motorsports and consumer automotive information with a special focus on women in motorsports. St. James, who has mentored karting stars such as Sara Senske and Danica Patrick through her Driver Development Program, will give visitors an insider’s view of motorsports through interviews, photos, discussions, articles, and events. The website also tracks activities of the Lyn St. James Foundation which is accelerating support, opportunity and visibility for women in motorsports and related educational arenas. 

    Through the Lyn St. James Foundation, St. James leverages her on-track successes and her visibility to promote opportunities for women in motorsports. Two projects the Foundation supports are the CART Outreach Driver Development Program and the Lyn St. James Driver Development Program. “I am excited about CART’s commitment to diversity in their driver development efforts and their Toyota Atlantic test with PPI Motorsports. We need to look at all areas of motorsports to ensure that the diversity of the stars (drivers) reflects the diversity of the fan base, current and future.” St. James continues, “ Women sports is at an all time high in popularity and visibility, so motorsports needs to be aggressive in supporting the talent that exists and groom the future talent so that we can attract the corporate support and fan interest for women drivers.” 

    For those interested in supporting the not-for-profit educational Lyn St. James Foundation, with a financial donation, may send it to Lyn St. James Foundation, 57D Gasoline Alley, Indianapolis, Indiana 46222-3909. For more information check out the site at: www.lystjames.com. 
     

  • EXPO 2000 ATTENDEE SURVEY
    The International Lawn, Garden and Power Equipment Expo, Louisville, Kentucky, the trade show where most of the fun kart industry showcases their products, announced its attendee survey results. 

    Some of the highlights include:

    22.4% of those surveyed were first time visitors. 
    27.8% have attended the show 8 times or more
    44.5% said the number #1 reason for attending - to see new products
    97.6% of attendees have “purchasing influence”.
    46.8% found new suppliers at Expo
    38.0% talked to 20 or more exhibitors.


    The survey was taken during the show by the American Marketing Association, New Albany, Indiana.


END

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Kart Marketing Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 101
Wheaton, IL 60189 USA
Telephone: 630-653-7368
Fax: 630-653-2637
Email: karting@msn.com

Copyright 2000

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