Montreal, Canada -- August 23rd, 2002 -- Escher-Grad Technologies Inc. is pleased to welcome 25 new companies to the worldwide Cobalt distributors network. In the last 4 months, Escher-Grad has doubled its distributor network and is now represented in more than 50 countries worldwide. The biggest increase is seen in Latin America and Eastern Europe where the Cobalt quality, speed and reliability specifications offered at a third of the purchase and support prices of it competitors has made significant in-roads. Escher-Grad has increased its Channel Management Staff to handle the influx of business and anticipates an additional 50% increase to follow within the next few months. "The case for Cobalt CTP is being successfully made in some of the world's toughest economic environments," said Keith Fisher, Director of Business Development for Escher-Grad Technologies. "Our new distributors, many of whom have cancelled competing CTP products, are able to win new business based on the Cobalt's key strengths: price, quality, speed and reliability! Our new partners appreciate our commitment to our channel, constant technological leadership and their own customers' success". The Cobalt-4 is capable of imaging single-page (8.5 x 11 inch/216 x 279 mm) through to 4-up (22 x 26 inch/560 x 660 mm) plates varying in thickness from 6 to 20 mils on both photopolymer and silver-based plates making it the most flexible CTP system in its class. Depending on the plate speed, a full size 22 x 26 inch plate is imaged in 2.2 minutes at 2400 dpi. The Cobalt-4 benefits from the same proven imaging platform as the Cobalt-8, guaranteeing the best image quality in its class. Launched in 1999, the Cobalt-8, predecessor of the Cobalt-4 and the world's first violet 8-up platesetter, laid the ground-work for violet CTP. Now with two plate technologies from four major industry suppliers, violet CTP is arguably the industry standard for affordable CTP. The Cobalt-series of platesetters work seamlessly with front-end workflow solutions from all of the major vendors without modifications and include Escher-Grad's remote control and diagnostics software that allows full system monitoring and control via modem. Service Engineers can connect to a system anywhere in the world and access the same testing and control functions they would have on-site. The Cobalt's manual load engine with only two moving parts, eliminates the need for costly on-site installation and works within hours of uncrating. Established in 1986, Montreal-based Escher-Grad Technologies Inc. designs, manufactures and markets advanced, high-resolution imaging systems delivering superior speed and quality at a revolutionary price point. A strong commitment to aggressive levels of R & D ensures the technological leadership position that results in superior imaging systems. With a mission to become the world's leading independent manufacture of violet CTP systems, Escher-Grad continues on its course of carefully planned growth. All products are backed by local, Escher-Grad-certified, sales and support organizations present in more than 60 countries around the world. For more information on the Cobalt-series of violet laser CTP system and the complete Escher-Grad worldwide distributor network, please visit www.Escher-Grad.com.