News

Breaking: Triton issues statement after Katrina ravages Gulf states

August 31, 2005

In a statement published Aug. 31, Brian Kett, president of Triton Systems, said his company's Long Beach, Miss., headquarters are still standing but are expected to remain closed until early next week. The company's two facilities in Long Beach - Triton West, a manufacturing plant, and Triton East, where the company's administrative, sales and engineering offices are housed - "remain in very good shape, with only very minor damage," Kett said.

Both facilities reportedly have power generators and should be operational, once local and state authorities allow them to be reopened. "From this perspective," Kett added, "we were indeed very fortunate."

For now, Triton is rerouting operations to its Calgary, Alberta, offices in Canada. (See contact information below.) Triton's offices in Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia, San Diego, New York and Atlanta will provide additional support.

"I have been in daily contact with most of our senior management team, and despite some very challenging issues due to the hurricane damage in our area, we are looking forward to resuming our operations," Kett said. "Starting today, our sales and support staff will begin contacting our sales partners to give you a further update."

That news came as a relief to many in the industry who have been trying desperately for days to reach Triton. Lana Harmelink, international director of operations for the ATM Industry Association, said a spokesperson in Triton's U.K. office told ATMIA that no deaths among the Triton staff have been reported. At this point, however, details are still sketchy.

In his statement, Kett added: "Our first focus this week has been on the welfare of our staff and their families. That will continue to be a large part of our focus, but we are also ensuring that we are providing a level of support to our customers as well. … Thank you for your patience, good wishes and support."

Downed utility and communications lines have made contact difficult. Every form of communication has been affected, and companies throughout the Gulf Coast region have been left in the dark.

Ron Schuldt, president of New Orleans-based processor Columbus Data Services, told ATMmarketplace Aug. 31 that his operation has set up shop in Dallas, for an undetermined amount of time. Although Columbus Data's 7,500-square-foot facility is standing, Schuldt doesn't know how extensive the damage is. "We made it through the wind and the storms OK, but the levy breaking got us," he said. "We're not sure when we'll be back. We'll just have to wait until they (local authorities) let us back in."

On Monday, Columbus Data's staff started calling clients, assuring them that processing would not be affected. At this point, Schuldt said, the company is working to get its Web site back up.

ATMmarketplace's efforts to reach Innovus Inc./Momentum Cash Systems LLC, another New Orleans company, have been unsuccessful. (Read also this update: More news from the Gulf Coast.)  

Before Mississippi and Louisiana, however, ATM companies in Florida were the first to buckle their seat belts and hold their breath. Chris Klein, executive vice president of marketing for Mosaic Software, an S1 company, said the company's Deerfield Beach, Fla., facilities just north of Miami suffered no great damage or loss.

"Miami had a lot of wind, rain and flooding," but Deerfield Beach wasn't on the storm's final path, Klein said. "Katrina turned and spared us," where it veered south toward Fort Lauderdale and went through Miami-Dade County. "Now we're focusing on helping our customers get through this. And it's become very personal, because we have a very personal relationship with a lot of these people who are really in deep trouble."

ATMmarketplace will continue to report as more information becomes available. If you have information or an update about a company affected by Katrina, please contact Tracy Kitten at (502) 241-7545, Ext. 125, or via e-mail.

Contact information for Triton, Columbus Data Services

• Triton: The company's Web site is expected to be updated daily, or as more information is available. Staff members should check the site or call 1-888-633-3327. For sales and service concerns, call 1-800-367-7191 or (403) 265-7500.
• Columbus Data Services: Call (214) 242-0650. The company expects to have its Web site, www.columbusdata.net, up by the end of the week, where clients and companies can find up-to-date information.

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ATM Industry Association (ATMIA)

The ATM Industry Association, founded in 1997, is a global non-profit trade association with over 10,500 members in 65 countries. The membership base covers the full range of this worldwide industry comprising over 2.2 million installed ATMs.

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Triton Systems

Triton FI based products • NO Windows 10™ Upgrade • Secured locked down system that is virus/malware resistant • Flexible configurations - Drive-up and Walk-up • Triton's high security standards • NFC, anti-skim card reader, IP camera and level 1 vaults are all options • Triton Connect monitoring • Lower cost

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