Robert O Baratta News

UltraStrip Systems, Inc. announced that it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Robotic Environmental Services, LLC (RES) of Baton Rouge, La. for the sale of UltraStrip’s patented robotic hydroblasting systems in Louisiana and Texas. This agreement represents UltraStrip’s entry into a new market and we are very excited to assist Robotic Environmental Services in its penetration of the above-ground storage tank coatings removal industry as well as the oil production facility and barge markets for coatings removal, according to Robert O. Baratta, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of UltraStrip Systems. The distribution agreement is for a term of five years and establishes minimum purchasing requirements necessary to maintain RES’ exclusivity in the two states.

While convention holds that the most vital marine technological advances happen in or around the engine room and bridge, the business of coating and corrosion control - stripping, preparing and applying - arguably poses the most strenuous test the marine environment offers. It is a vessel's initial coating and maintenance thereafter that largely determines a vessel's lifecycle, thus its profitability. Coatings, much like mechanical systems, require constant attention to ensure that they are performing the duty required, namely maintaining the structural integrity of the steel beneath. That said, the last place a vessel owner want to see its vessel is in drydock, with a battalion of workers vigorously peeling, stripping and chipping away at a vessel's armor.

UltraStrip Systems, Inc. announced that Metro Machine Corp. of Norfolk, Va. has agreed to purchase a high production prototype UltraStrip robotic paint removal system for $2 million. Metro is developing a marine vessel enclosure, paint removal, and coating system, the Metro Ship Coating System, and will be evaluating the UltraStrip prototype for use in the Metro Ship Coating System. Dr. Robert O. Baratta, president and CEO of UltraStrip Systems said, "Metro plans to use the UltraStrip technology in its own shipyard and market the Metro Ship Coating System with the UltraStrip technology to other shipyards and ship repair companies.

UltraStrip Systems, Inc., the developer of robotic ship hull cleaning equipment, completed the surface preparation work on the Navy's new San Antonio class amphibious assault ship, LPD 17 on June 21, 2003, from which they expect to receive over $90,000. UltraStrip President and CEO, Robert O. Baratta, said, "UltraStrip is proud to assist the U.S. Navy in launching this exciting new warship that will help protect our troops and country in the coming years. UltraStrip's highly productive M3500 Robotic System allowed the Navy to have its surface preparation work completed simultaneously with other trades finishing their work. Normally, if the ship were being grit blasted, other trades would not have been able to work while the grit blasting was in progress.

US' UltraStrip Systems, the developer of robotic ship hull cleaning equipment, has announced that it has received from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent number US 6,564,815 titled "Air Gap Magnetic Mobile Robot". The new patent allows UltraStrip Systems to further expand its patented coatings removal systems. The advantages to the Air Gap patent over existing UltraStrip patented roller designs are greater adhesion and non-marring of the surface. President and CEO Dr. Robert O. Baratta said, "UltraStrip's latest patent, in our opinion, gives even greater patent protection for our M3500 Robotic System than we had with our earlier patents. UltraStrip Systems has received four other U.S.