Elmsford, NY, and Los Angeles, CA, August 13, 2001 – Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. and Houston Fearless 76, Inc. have announced today the naming of Houston Fearless 76 as the sole, North American distributor of Fujifilm document imaging/micrographic products and services. Effective September 4, 2001, a newly formed subsidiary of Houston Fearless 76, Ascendant Solutions International, Inc., will handle the combined sales, marketing and service of Fujifilm's and Houston Fearless 76's complete lines of document imaging and micrographic products and related services. Ascendant Solutions International will distribute hundreds of document imaging and micrographic products from both companies, including Fujifilm’s micrographic film and retrieval devices like the M Drive as well as Houston Fearless 76’s micrographic film processors, Extek duplicators, Mekel film scanners, chemical handling equipment and quality control accessories. Ken Kopald, former Vice President and General Manager of Fujifilm USA’s Document Products Division, will lead the new distribution company, which will be staffed by former Fujifilm U.S.A. Document Products employees and current members of Houston Fearless 76’s sales and marketing team. "By combining the strengths of Fujifilm and Houston Fearless 76, Ascendant Solutions International will be a one-of-a-kind force in the market with the ability to deliver a complete document imaging solution," said Ken Kopald, President, Ascendant Solutions International, Inc. "Customers who have come to expect nothing but the best in terms of product and service from Fujifilm and Houston Fearless 76 will continue to see the same from Ascendant Solutions International. Our intent is to deliver the same offerings, seamlessly, through each company’s distribution channels." "This new venture is great news for the document imaging industry," said M.S. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer, Houston Fearless 76, Inc. "Our strategy of creating a new marketing and distribution company under the leadership of Ken Kopald will allow customers of both Fujifilm and Houston Fearless 76 to enjoy an unprecedented level of service, quality and range of products. This bundling strategy will enable businesses to better succeed in today’s competitive environment. Through Ascendant Solutions International, we look forward to serving our customers and the document imaging industry for a long time to come."