Mottech expands into French Wine Market

20 July 2020

MTI Wireless Edge Ltd 

("MTI" or the "Group")

Mottech expands into French Wine Market with new Tethys System

MTI Wireless Edge Ltd (AIM: MWE), the technology group focused on comprehensive communication and radio frequency solutions across multiple sectors, is pleased to announce, that Mottech Water Solutions Ltd ("Mottech"), the Group's subsidiary in the wireless irrigation control solutions sector, has launched a new wireless irrigation solution developed for the French wine market - the Tethys system. The Tethys system was first installed in March 2020 and already 200 French vineyards have become customers.

Two-thirds of the global population - over 4 billion people - live with severe water shortages for at least one month each year. Climate change is further exacerbating the situation and The World Bank estimates that 25-30% of freshwater is wasted. Agriculture, including the wine industry, holds the key to coping with water scarcity as it is responsible for 70% of all freshwater usage.  

Mottech provides high-end remote control solutions for water and irrigation applications based on Motorola's IRRInet state-of-the-art control, monitoring and communication technologies. The water management system enables accurate water distribution and irrigation management, resulting in a 30% increase in crop yields while reducing costs by around 30% from efficient use of water, fertilizer, energy and labour. The Tethys system is an extension of Mottech's core product, enabling individual vine growers to manage their water needs via an app on their phone.

Until recently, irrigation of vineyards in France was forbidden or strictly controlled, however, climate change has made this unsustainable and led to vineyards in southern France being allowed to be irrigated. Irrigation water is supplied by local water associations through a network of pressurized pipelines designed in the 1960s and the farmer then manually connects to the system as required, an outdated process.

The Tethys system designed by Mottech for the French wine market automates the process of switching water on via an app on the farmer's phone and, as importantly, does so through allocation of a specific time slot when the water will be available. This is a critical and unique feature as the water associations are unable to meet demand of thousands of vineyards trying to access water simultaneously.  This way the water associations can manage demand and the vineyards can digitally order the water they need at a certain time and only pay for what they use.

The response to the launch of the new Tethys system has been excellent. Since March 2020, Mottech, and its local partner, AQUADOC, has now provided the system to four water associations who together provide irrigation water for thousands of vineyards of which 200 have already become customers. Currently, the system is covering 4,000 hectares (40 square kilometers) and it is estimated that there is potential demand for 200,000 hectares in the short to medium term.

Mottech has over 20 years of experience in providing remote control solutions for vineyard irrigation management all over the world, including Australia, Italy, South Africa, South America and Israel. Mottech's Tethys system for rural water distribution management, was developed for vineyards in southern France but will be marketed in other markets as well.

MTI's CEO, Moni Borovitz, said: "Mottech's new Tethys system is the only system in the world that enables vineyards to choose in advance the exact time, date and amount of water to be supplied. A unique feature which is driving demand from both vineyards and water associations. All of this is placing Mottech in a good position to expand its services at a time when climate change is likely to force a further softening of irrigation restrictions in France."

AQUADOC CEO, Lionel Palancade, commented: "French winemakers and water associations are very keen to take control of their own irrigation and water supply management.  They believe they are best placed to judge the level of irrigation required for their vineyard. The Mottech system delivers control and accuracy better than any other competing system which is reflected in its evident popularity. In the south of France, with a further 200,000 hectares of land expected to be fitted with the new agricultural hydraulic equipment suited for connection with the Tethys system, Mottech is well placed."

Download an Overview of Mottech by clicking on this link  http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/2797T_1-2020-7-16.pdf

For further information please contact:

MTI Wireless Edge Ltd                                                                                                 +972 3 900 8900

Moni Borovitz, CEO                                                                                                       http://www.mtiwirelessedge.com

Allenby Capital Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker)                                                +44 20 3328 5656

Nick Naylor

Alex Brearley

Peterhouse Capital Limited (Joint Broker)                                                               +44 20 7469 0930

Lucy Williams

Eran Zucker

Novella (Financial PR)                                                                                    +44 20 3151 7008

Tim Robertson

Fergus Young

About MTI Wireless Edge Ltd. ("MTI")

Headquartered in Israel, MTI is a technology group focused on comprehensive communication and radio frequency solutions across multiple sectors through three core divisions:

Antenna Division 

MTI is a world leader in the design, development and production of high quality, state-of-the-art, and cost-effective antenna solutions including Smart Antennas, MIMO Antennas and Dual Polarity Antennas for wireless applications. MTI supplies antennas for both military and commercial markets from 100 KHz to 90 GHz.

Internationally recognized as a producer of commercial off-the-Shelf and custom-developed antenna solutions in a broad frequency range, MTI addresses both commercial and military applications.

MTI supplies directional and omnidirectional antennas for outdoor and indoor deployments, including smart antennas for WiMAX, Broadband access, public safety, RFID, base stations and terminals for the utility market.

Military applications include a wide range of broadband, tactical and specialized communication antennas, antenna systems and DF arrays installed on numerous airborne, ground and naval, including submarine, platforms worldwide. 

Water Control & Management Division 

Via its subsidiary, Mottech Water Solutions Ltd ("Mottech"), MTI provides high-end remote control solutions for water and irrigation applications based on Motorola's IRRInet state-of-the-art control, monitoring and communication technologies.

As Motorola's global prime-distributor Mottech serves its customers worldwide through its international subsidiaries and a global network of local distributors and representatives. With over 25 years of experience in providing customers with irrigation remote control and management, Mottech's solutions ensure constant, reliable and accurate water usage, while reducing operational and maintenance costs. Mottech's activities are focused in the market segments of agriculture, water distribution, municipal and commercial landscape as well as wastewater and storm-water reuse.

Distribution & Professional Consulting Services Division 

Via its subsidiary, MTI Summit Electronics Ltd., MTI offers consulting, representation and marketing services to foreign companies in the field of RF and Microwave solutions and applications including engineering services (including design and integration) in the field of aerostat systems and the ongoing operation of Platform subsystems, SIGINT, RADAR, communication and observation systems which is performed by the Company.