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Global Crossing IP Convergence Enables Worldwide Expansion for Leading Chilean Exporter
- Fully managed, converged IP VPN service links Agrosuper's offices in Chile, Mexico, Italy, the U.S. and Japan, providing an estimated 70 percent cost savings.
- Number of Global Crossing IP VPN customers in Latin America increased by 160 percent from first quarter of 2005 to first quarter of 2006.
Miami and Santiago, Chile - August 3, 2006 -- Global Crossing (NASDAQ: GLBC) announced today that Agrosuper, the largest producer of meat and fresh products in Chile, has extended its relationship with Global Crossing. Last year, the Chilean company implemented Global Crossing Managed IP VPN Service™ to support the company's continued global expansion. As part of a multi-year agreement, Agrosuper is using Global Crossing's Managed IP VPN Service to enhance employee productivity, centralize business applications and streamline operations by connecting its offices in Chile, Mexico, the United States, Italy and Japan. Most recently, Agrosuper has extended the contract to incorporate interconnectivity in Spain, which is planned for completion in September 2006.
By deploying Global Crossing's IP VPN connection, Agrosuper is able to integrate voice, data and videoconferencing applications over a single, seamless connection. The convergence of data, voice and video onto a single IP-based platform yields simplicity in network design and administration, as well as connectivity, billing and customer care. Agrosuper also benefits from "any distance," flat-rate pricing for connecting international sites, regardless of their office location. In addition, Global Crossing is providing the holding company with managed solutions, full end-to-end lifecycle support for IP VPN to ensure 24x7 availability. These IP VPN services are expected to yield a 70-percent reduction in certain overhead expenses, in addition to the significant savings in operational and capital expenses resulting from the managed services component. In addition, having Global Crossing manage its converged IP network enables Agrosuper to focus on managing its core business.
"As we continue to expand globally, it is essential that we rely on a partner like Global Crossing that delivers service in telecommunications on a global scale with top-notch local support," said Rodrigo Echeverría, Agrosuper's chief information officer. "Having our offices around the world linked seamlessly, securely and cost effectively enables us to focus on continuing to be the leading Chilean company in the agribusiness sector."
This agreement with Agrosuper is one example of the explosive growth of IP VPN demand. Global Crossing is seeing such growth both in the region and around the world. In the first quarter of 2006, the number of Global Crossing's IP VPN customers grew by 160 percent in Latin America, compared with the first quarter of 2005. Global Crossing's IP VPN traffic increased by 280 percent in the same period, demonstrating the company's continued execution of its plan to provide converged IP services to global enterprises.
"We are pleased that our IP solutions can bring leading companies like Agrosuper closer to their customers," said José Antonio Ríos, international president of Global Crossing. "We are confident that Agrosuper's strategy of relying on world-class technology to drive their business will set the trend for other Chilean and Latin American companies seeking to expand globally."
Designed to run over the company's extensive global fiber-optic network, Global Crossing IP VPN Service™ links global businesses and delivers content-rich multimedia services through a single connection. Global Crossing's IP VPN offering supports multiple classes of service. In addition to secure data transport, the IP VPN service provides access to VoIP, IP Video and other IP services, offering a complete platform for managing the transition to IP convergence.
"Global Crossing provides the scalability, reliability and security that leading Latin American companies like Agrosuper need to continue expansion beyond their domestic markets," said José Luis Kruyff, vice president of South Florida and Latin America enterprise sales. "Our network was built to support the ever-increasing demand for converged IP services, helping companies migrate to IP based technologies at their own pace."
Global Crossing has recently enhanced its IP VPN service, making it one of the most powerful and versatile managed IP VPN solutions available today. Upgrades included the preservation of routing protocols, IPv6 support, a multicast feature, managed VoIP services and dynamic routing for remote VPN. Companies with offices in different continents can readily employ a proven global network application, using technology as a driver for cost reduction, improved efficiency, unprecedented network security and simplified network design.
ABOUT GLOBAL CROSSING
Global Crossing (NASDAQ: GLBC) provides telecommunications solutions over the world's first integrated global IP-based network. Its core network connects more than 300 cities in 28 countries worldwide, and delivers services to more than 600 cities in 60 countries and 6 continents around the globe. The company's global sales and support model matches the network footprint and, like the network, delivers a consistent customer experience worldwide.
Global Crossing IP services are global in scale, linking the world's enterprises, governments and carriers with customers, employees and partners worldwide in a secure environment that is ideally suited for IP-based business applications, allowing e-commerce to thrive. The company offers a full range of managed data and voice products including Global Crossing IP VPN Service, Global Crossing Managed Services and Global Crossing VoIP services, to 36 percent of the Fortune 500, as well as 700 carriers, mobile operators and ISPs.
Please visit www.globalcrossing.com for more information about Global Crossing.
ABOUT AGROSUPER
The companies that belong to the Agrosuper holding have become the largest meat and fresh products producer in Chile. Their total sales amount to more than U.S.$700 million, and their employees exceed 9,000 people. Agrosuper is the leader in the chicken market, their brand Super Pollo, shows yearly sales exceeding 223 thousand tons -- that is 55 percent of the national market share. Also, Agrosuper has consolidated its position as the most important Chilean brand of mass consumption products, reaching yearly sales of U.S.$220 million. This accomplishment has made Agrosuper the top brand in terms of knowledge, preference and remembrance.
Agrosuper leads the pork market as well. It has a market share of more than 50 percent, and its yearly production reaches 130 thousand tons.
Cecinas Super is now among the top four companies in the cured meat industry in the country. Its yearly production levels reach 16 thousand tons.
Sopraval leads the turkey market holding more than 60 percent share within the domestic market. Agrosuper's exports account for approximately 10 percent of the whole group sales. They deliver to over 20 countries such as the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Great Britain, France Spain, Austria, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia.
At present, Agrosuper holding companies export more than 20 thousand tons of meat and beef, and more than two million boxes of fruit. At the same time, fertile eggs and one-day reproducing chicks have contributed with important genetic progress for the industry.
Please visit www.agrosuper.com for more information about Agrosuper.
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Statements in this press release about expected future events and financial results are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including risks referenced from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Global Crossing undertakes no duty to update information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.
CONTACT GLOBAL CROSSING:
Press Contacts
Adriana Huerta
Latin America
+ 1 305 808 5919
LatAmPR@globalcrossing.com
Kendra Langlie
Latin America
+ 1 305 808 5912
LatAmPR@globalcrossing.com
Analysts/Investors Contact
Laurinda Pang
+ 1 800 836 0342
glbc@globalcrossing.com
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