ST. LOUIS, April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- ESCO Electronics Corporation
(NYSE: ESE) announced today that the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority
(PREPA) has selected Distribution Control Systems, Inc. (DCSI), an ESCO
subsidiary, to provide DCSI's TWACS(R) power line communications system for
Puerto Rico's island-wide implementation of Automatic Meter Reading (AMR).
Today's contract, which approximates $50 million, increases PREPA's total
order of DCSI equipment to 700,000 AMR transponders, plus communication
infrastructure and other services, with deliveries over a three-year period.
Subsequent expansion of the system will extend the benefits of TWACS(R) AMR to
all PREPA customers which will cover approximately 1.3 million sites.  The
estimated size of the contract for island-wide implementation is approximately
$130 million, and is scheduled for completion over a period of five to eight
years.
    In making the announcement, Dennis J. Moore, Chairman and CEO of ESCO,
stated, "This contract culminates a two-year effort by PREPA in which several
AMR technologies were evaluated, including an on-island demonstration of
DCSI's TWACS(R) system with a first phase commitment of approximately
37,000 AMR transponders.  DCSI's system was chosen due to its cost
effectiveness and proven performance despite difficult terrain and variations
in population density."
    Mr. Moore concluded, "We are very pleased that PREPA awarded DCSI this
contract, which ranks among the largest orders in DCSI's history."
    ESCO Electronics Corporation, headquartered in St. Louis, is a diversified
manufacturer of commercial and defense products and systems sold to customers
worldwide.