The Aldis GridSmart Blog

Knoxville, TN – Aldis, a sustainable energy company commercializing a novel advanced vision processing software platform, GridSmart, has successful closed its Series B financing.  Proceeds from the round led by Murphree Ventures Partners (MVP) will drive broader distribution of GridSmart, a cost-efficient solution used in advanced infrastructure, congestion management and security applications across the world.

Steve Dauphin, a General Partner at MVP will join the Aldis Board of Directors along with existing investors Battelle Ventures, Meritus Ventures and Innovation Valley Partners, who also participated in the round.  Shortly after closing the transaction, Aldis announced its first major sales in the Australian and Latin American markets.

Dauphin commented that “MVP focuses on solid business fundamentals and not fads; Aldis is an outstanding addition to our portfolio because the GridSmart platform is game changing technology that we are only beginning to realize the vast benefits and applications of.  Aldis will be an industry standard for years to come”.

Aldis Chairperson, Glenn Kline added that “MVP is an excellent addition to the Aldis family.  MVP appreciates the value the GridSmart platform and the significant impact that Aldis will achieve on sustainability as we reduce vehicle traffic congestion while improving safety.  We are pleased to have Steve Dauphin join the Aldis board and, based on his outstanding experience and industry network, look forward to his active involvement to support Aldis’ continuing global progress”.

Oak Ridge, TN – Aldis Corp., a leader in next generation traffic management systems, announced today the addition of Gulf Industries Incorporated to the Aldis strategic sales channel serving cities and municipalities with more efficient and cost effective intersection video traffic management solutions.

Gulf Industries Incorporated will provide the entire line of Aldis GridSmart traffic solutions including the Spectra 360^TM, designed for intersection traffic management utilizing video tracking and the Optima 360^TM, which adds support for vehicle counting data and pedestrian handling. Ultra 360^TM (available in 2010) will provide a complete intersection management solution including such features as vehicle preemption and dilemma zone functionality.

“We are thrilled to include Gulf Industries into our growing distribution network and look forward to teaming with them to best serve our customers,” stated Eric Seabrook, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aldis. “With their long history of success in the traffic industry, Gulf was the clear choice to represent Aldis and our GridSmart product line.”

“Aldis is developing some of the most innovative products we have seen in the industry and are on the cutting edge of intelligent traffic management for intersections and highways. Our customers are looking to technology to solve the next generation of traffic management initiatives and Aldis is delivering,” stated Wayne Burger, Chief Operating Officer for Gulf Industries.

Gulf Industries Incorporated will provide the Aldis GridSmart solutions exclusively in Arkansas, South Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Mid/West Tennessee and Texas. Current GridSmart customers will continue to receive sales and service directly from Aldis with the addition of local support from Gulf Industries.

Oak Ridge, TN – Aldis Corp., a leader in next generation traffic management systems, announced today the addition of Signal Communications Corporation to the Aldis strategic sales channel serving cities and municipalities with more efficient and cost effective intersection and highway video traffic management solutions.

Signal Communications Corporation will provide the entire line of Aldis GridSmart traffic solutions including the Spectra 360^TM, designed for intersection traffic management utilizing video tracking and the Optima 360^TM, which adds support for vehicle counting data and pedestrian handling. Ultra 360^TM (available in 2010) will provide a complete intersection management solution including such features as vehicle preemption and dilemma zone functionality.

“We are excited to team with Signal Communications and their talented staff expanding our distribution network into New England,” stated Eric Seabrook, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aldis.  “They have decades of success in alarm and emergency communications, and we see a great fit for their expansion into traffic management serving the Northeastern United States.”

“The Aldis GridSmart system has proven to be an exciting, cost effective and innovative traffic management solution for our customers.  Aldis’ approach to intelligent traffic management will revolutionize the industry,” stated Robert E. Lapham, President of Signal Communications Corporation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Signal Communications Corporation will provide the Aldis GridSmart solutions exclusively throughout Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Current GridSmart customers will continue to receive sales and services directly from Aldis with the addition of local support from Signal Communications Corporation.

Oak Ridge, TN – Aldis Corp., a leader in next generation traffic management systems, announced today the addition of Intermountain Traffic, LLC and Southwest Traffic Systems, Inc. to the Aldis strategic sales channel serving cities and municipalities with more efficient and cost effective intersection video traffic management solutions.

Both Intermountain Traffic, LLC and Southwest Traffic Systems, Inc. will provide the entire line of Aldis GridSmart traffic solutions including the Spectra 360^TM, designed for intersection traffic management utilizing video tracking and the Optima 360^TM, which adds support for vehicle counting data and pedestrian handling.  Ultra 360^TM (available in 2010) will provide a complete intersection management solution including such features as vehicle preemption and dilemma zone functionality.

“We are excited about expanding our distribution network and look forward to teaming with Intermountain and Southwest Traffic to serve our customers,” stated Eric Seabrook, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aldis.  “As we continue to grow our GridSmart strategic sales network, it is vital that we align with the right traffic partners with a long history of success serving the Western United States and teaming with Intermountain and Southwest Traffic was a clear choice.”

“Aldis is on the cutting edge of intelligent traffic management and our customers are looking to technology to solve the next generation of traffic management initiatives,” stated Fred Roush, President of Southwest Traffic Systems.  “They are a great fit for our growing demand in this market.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Intermountain Traffic, LLC will provide the Aldis GridSmart solutions exclusively in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Northern Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.  Southwest Traffic Systems, Inc. will provide solutions exclusively in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Southern Nevada.  Current GridSmart customers will continue to receive sales and services directly from Aldis with the addition of local support from Intermountain Traffic, LLC and Southwest Traffic Systems, Inc.

Washington, D.C. (ITS America) - Aldis Corp., a leader in next generation traffic management systems, announced today the addition of Electromega Ltd. to the Aldis strategic sales channel serving all Canadian provinces with  more efficient and cost effective intersection video traffic management solutions.

Electromega will provide the entire line of Aldis GridSmart traffic solutions including the Spectra 360™, designed for intersection traffic management utilizing video tracking and the Optima 360™, which adds support for vehicle counting data and pedestrian handling. Ultra 360™ (available in late 2009) will provide a complete intersection management solution including such features as vehicle preemption and dilemma zone functionality.

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to expand our products and solutions into the Canadian market with Electromega. They have an exceptionally skilled and professional staff,” stated Eric Seabrook, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Aldis.  “As we continue to grow our GridSmart strategic sales network, it is vital that we align with the right traffic partners and with a long history of success serving Canada, it is clear that Electromega was a perfect choice.”

“Electromega’s continuous quest for new, innovative, and state-of-the-art technologies to offer its customers, has led us to Aldis.  The GridSmart system brings a fresh new solution to the present video traffic detection systems,” said Pascal Lamoureux, Director of Sales and Marketing for Electromega.  “We are delighted to formalize an agreement with Aldis.  It will allow Electromega to provide an innovative and efficient solution to help meet today’s transportation challenges”

Under the terms of the agreement, Electromega will provide the Aldis GridSmart solutions throughout Canadian provinces with offices and direct support locations in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia.

Oak Ridge, TN - Aldis Corp., a leader in next generation traffic management systems, announced today that Grady Vanderhoofven, General Partner of Meritus Ventures, L.P., has been elected to the Aldis board of directors.

Mr. Vanderhoofven is the Executive Vice President and a member of the board of directors of Eclipse Management, LLC, which is the General Partner of Meritus Ventures, and he holds similar positions with Southern Appalachian Management Company, LLC, which is the General Partner of the Southern Appalachian Fund, L.P.  The two venture capital funds make equity investments in low income and rural areas in central and southern Appalachia. Mr. Vanderhoofven has been involved with several local start-up companies and held an advisory role for Aldis prior to his appointment.

“We are thrilled to have Grady joining the board of directors for Aldis,” stated Glenn Kline, Chairman for Aldis and general partner at Battelle Ventures/Innovation Valley Partners. “His experience and vision as an advisor has been a great asset and a driving force behind our growth and we look forward to his continued contribution in this expanded role.”

Mr. Vanderhoofven is currently a member of the boards of directors for Protein Discovery, Smart Furniture, and Tricycle, and he was recently appointed to the Tennessee Capital Formation Board (TCFB). He is also a Board observer for SemiSouth Laboratories and Zipit Wireless, Inc.

Prior to working in venture capital, Mr. Vanderhoofven held several positions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He began his career at ORNL as an engineer, subsequently moved into business development, and ultimately became a leading player in technology transfer and commercialization.

Mr. Vanderhoofven has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Yale University and has also completed an Executive Education Program in private equity and corporate governance at Harvard Business School.