PPi Technologies Leaps from Rising Star to Number One on the Fast 50 List

TAMPA, Fla., September 20, 2001 – Sarasota’s PPi Technologies rose to the top of the first-ever Florida High Tech Corridor Technology Fast 50 list to the Number One spot as the fastest growing technology company in Florida’s High Tech Corridor. Just last year, PPi Technologies was a Rising Star on Deloitte & Touche’s Tampa Bay Technology Fast 50 list. Over the past five years, PPi Technologies grew an average 4,477 percent. The annual Technology Fast 50 program ranks the 50 fastest growing technology companies based on five-year revenue growth (1996-2000).

In light of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., Deloitte & Touche LLP along with the 2001 Florida High Tech Corridor Technology Fast 50 sponsors have cancelled the High Tech Corridor Technology Fast 50 awards celebration, originally scheduled for September 20. In lieu of the celebration, Deloitte & Touche and the sponsors are partnering with fellow Technology Fast 50 sponsor, Florida Power, a Progress Energy company, to donate monies allocated to putting on the event to the American Red Cross.

“The need for financial support is quickly growing. By donating to the Red Cross, we can help meet the pressing financial needs of the rescue and recovery effort,” said Bill Habermeyer, president and CEO of Florida Power. The Progress Energy Foundation will match all contributions made through the Florida High Tech Corridor Fast 50 program. In addition to the sponsor’s contribution, a number of Fast 50 winners have pledged their financial support.