EXHIBIT 99.1
RAPIDTRON, INC. PORTER, LE VAY & ROSE, INC.
MICHAEL J. PORTER, PRESIDENT-INVESTOR RELATIONS
JOHN CREEL, PRESIDENT JEFF MYHRE, VP-EDITORIAL
949-798-0652 CHRISTIAN PFLAUMER, VP-MEDIA RELATIONS
212-564-4700
BALLY TOTAL FITNESS
SARA MATHEU, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
773-864-6822
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RAPIDTRON SELECTED BY BALLY TOTAL FITNESS FOR SMART ACCESS SYSTEMS
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EARLIER INSTALLMENT TESTS PROVE SUCCESSFUL WITH BALLY MEMBERS AND STAFF
COSTA MESA, CA, JUNE 4, 2003 - Rapidtron, Inc. (OTC BB: RPDT), a provider of
Radio Frequency (RF) smart card access control and ticketing/membership systems,
has teamed up with Bally Total Fitness Corporation (NYSE: BFT) to install 25
Rapidtron Smart Access turnstile systems within their health clubs. The
relationship was solidified following the success of Rapidtron's installation of
Smart Access turnstile systems at Bally's Melrose Park and Century Club
locations in Chicago and the satisfactory completion of a software interface
with Bally's Club Management System (CMS). Installation of the 25 access systems
is expected to be completed in early July.
John Creel, President of Rapidtron, Inc., said, "This is a major contract for
Rapidtron. As the world's largest fitness chain with it's 420 clubs, Bally's due
diligence process is respected by the owners of more than 22,000 fitness clubs
in North America and will greatly enhance the credibility of our sales
presentations. Bally's purchase of our system resulted from months of careful
testing, which proved our quality, speed and convenience for club members, as
well as a solid return on investment. The Rapidtron system validated every
member and demonstrated increased security and revenue, while allowing front
desk personnel to provide even greater customer assistance. Based on the ongoing
success with these first 25 installations, we can expect to continue with a
major product rollout in more clubs. We look forward to working with Bally
throughout the installation and providing follow-up support."
"The Rapidtron systems have proved to be of great value to both the club staff
and members. Our members enjoy the added benefit of "express entry" and secure
membership validation, while our staff members have found that the new system
allows them to spend more time taking care of membership service inquires,"
said, Al Washburn, Senior Director of Operations.
ABOUT RAPIDTRON (WWW.RAPIDTRON.COM)
Rapidtron intends to become the leading provider of Radio Frequency (RF) smart
card access control and ticketing/membership systems by providing the premier
technology for operator-free entry and exit turnstiles.
Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, Rapidtron has established itself in the
North American marketplace by currently providing its smart card access control
systems to Copper Mountain in Colorado and Park City Mountain Resort in Utah,
and its bar code system to the University of California at Berkeley, and several
leading fitness clubs. Rapidtron anticipates additional orders in 2003 from Park
City, Copper Mountain, UC Berkeley, and several other winter resorts and fitness
clubs.
Rapidtron has forged a strategic partnership with AXESS AG, a European (Austria)
corporation. AXESS AG is at the forefront of Radio Frequency smart card
technology and has installed over 2,500 Smart access gates and 1,500
point-of-sale systems to transit companies and resorts in Europe.
ABOUT BALLY TOTAL FITNESS
Bally Total Fitness is the largest and only nationwide, commercial operator of
fitness centers, with approximately four million members and nearly 420
facilities located in 29 states, Canada, Asia and the Caribbean under the Bally
Total Fitness(R), Crunch Fitness(SM), Gorilla Sports(SM), Pinnacle Fitness(R),
Bally Sports Clubs(R) and Sports Clubs of Canada(R) brands. With more than 150
million annual visits to its clubs, Bally offers a unique platform for
distribution of a wide range of products and services targeted to active,
fitness-conscious adult consumers. For more information, visit
www.ballyfitness.com.
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Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements"
intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, the Company's
statements regarding trends in the marketplace and potential future results are
examples of such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements
include risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the timing of
projects due to the variability in size, scope and duration of projects,
estimates made by management with respect to the Company's critical accounting
policies, regulatory delays, clinical study results which lead to reductions or
cancellations of projects, and other factors, including general economic
conditions and regulatory developments, not within the Company's control. The
factors discussed herein and expressed from time to time in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could cause actual results
and developments to be materially different from those expressed in or implied
by such statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date
of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstance.
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