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Smartkem Recaps 2024 Achievements and Sets 2025 Goals

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MANCHESTER, England, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Smartkem (Nasdaq: SMTK), which is seeking to change the world of electronics using its disruptive organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), recapped its key accomplishments for 2024 and set its goals 2025.

CEO Statement
Smartkem Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ian Jenks commented, “2024 was a pivotal year for Smartkem. In December, we raised $7.65 million and, together with our collaboration partner, were awarded a $1.1 million grant for a project to develop the world’s first rollable, transparent microLED display. We uplisted to Nasdaq, increasing trading liquidity and broadening access to investors. We made significant strides in our plans to commercialize our proprietary semiconductor materials with strategic partnerships and collaborations with industry-leaders. We believe we have strengthened our position as a key player in the market for microLED displays, as well as packaging solutions for advanced computing and AI chips and CMOS for smart sensors. Looking toward 2025, we are focused on achieving qualifications and design wins with existing and new collaborations. We believe our technology will help drive adoption of advanced display and other technologies, with the microLED industry projected to grow from $150 million in 2024 to over $4 billion by 2031.1″

Smartkem 2024 Highlights:

Entered multiple strategic partnerships and collaborations with industry-leading display manufacturers in Asia, North America, and Europe:AUO to jointly develop the world’s first advanced rollable, transparent microLED display;FlexiIC to develop low-cost, rapid turnaround custom circuits using organic transistor technology and a new generation of low-power CMOS-enabled smart sensor devices;ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute) to enable product prototyping on its Gen 2.5 equipment;Chip Foundation to co-develop a new generation of microLED-based backlight technology for Liquid Crystal Displays;Shanghai Tianma Microelectronics to develop OTFT-based microarray biochips to amplify and process signals generated by TFT-based sensor devices; andRiTdisplay to manufacture a new type of active-matrix OLED display.Increased IP to 138 patents and 40 codified trade secrets, strengthening Smartkem’s competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving organic materials electronics industry.Uplisted to Nasdaq.Awarded a grant in partnership with AUO from the 2024 Taiwan-UK Research & Development Collaboration.Exhibited and presented at key trade events, including Touch Taiwan 2024 and Display Week 2024 in San Jose, where CEO Ian Jenks gave the DSCC / SID Business Conference keynote speech.

2025 Goals:

Ship the first installment of Smartkem’s materials to Chip Foundation under our collaboration to develop a new generation of microLED-based backlight technology for Liquid Crystal Displays.Sign a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for a chip-first microLED display.Complete qualification of Gen 2.5 ITRI process line.Enter into additional collaborations and/or co-development agreements that further advance our technology toward commercialization.

“We thank our stockholders for their continued support and look forward to updating you on our progress throughout the year,” concluded Jenks.

About Smartkem
Smartkem is seeking to reshape the world of electronics with its disruptive organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) that have the potential to revolutionize the display industry.  Smartkem’s patented TRUFLEX® liquid semiconductor polymers can be used to make a new type of transistor that can be used in a number of display technologies, including next generation microLED displays. Smartkem’s organic inks enable low temperature printing processes that are compatible with existing manufacturing infrastructure to deliver low-cost displays that outperform existing technology.

Smartkem develops its materials at its research and development facility in Manchester, UK and provides prototyping services at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) at Sedgefield, UK. It has a field application office in Taiwan. The company has an extensive IP portfolio including 138 granted patents across 18 patent families and 40 codified trade secrets. For more information, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, its market position and market opportunity, expectations and plans as to its product development, manufacturing and sales, and relations with its partners and investors. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on Smartkem Inc.’s current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding its business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “believe,” “estimate,” and other similar or elated expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the Company’s control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

1 2024 Omdia Report

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SOURCE SmartKem, Inc.

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Manufacturo Partners with Mach Industries to Power the Next Generation of Defense Manufacturing

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BREA, Calif., Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Scaling five defense platforms from development into production requires a manufacturing operation that can grow just as quickly. Mach Industries, a defense manufacturer building advanced unmanned systems for modern defense, uses the manufacturing management platform from Manufacturo, a manufacturing software company, to manage traceable, compliance-ready workflows as production expands.

Mach Industries, headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, is dedicated to advancing national security interests and supporting U.S. and allied readiness amid global competition. The company has taken five products from concept to flight since the inception of the partnership, most recently delivering an autonomous strike aircraft from concept to first flight in 71 days. Sustaining that pace at production scale requires a digital backbone that can enforce structured, traceable processes without becoming a bottleneck.

“For a defense startup moving as fast as we are, the manufacturing system must move just as fast. We needed a platform that could scale with us, from first builds through full production,” said Tyler Pancake, VP of Manufacturing, Mach Industries. “It has to deliver the traceability and controls that defense programs require. Manufacturo gives us that foundation without forcing us to choose between speed and rigor.”

With Manufacturo, Mach centralizes digital work instructions, monitors real-time shopfloor activity, and maintains quality and traceability across every build. The platform enables rapid iteration for engineers and production teams, supporting the kind of agile development cycle that defense hardware at this scale demands.

The transition from manual to scan-driven and work-order-controlled WIP tracking resulted in end-to-end WIP visibility and eliminated “lost in factory” scenarios. With real-time consumption introduced into the system, inventory accuracy improved by 20% to 40% (depending on the area). Last but not least, thanks to the MRP + MES closed loop, overproduction in manufacturing was reduced almost completely—to circa 1%.

“Mach is building an entirely new category of defense capability, and that requires a production system that can evolve alongside the technology. Our platform gives their teams the structure to execute with precision while preserving the flexibility to move fast. We’re proud to support their path from prototype to program of record,” said Kenzo Takai, COO, Manufacturo.

About Mach Industries 
Mach Industries is a defense manufacturing company headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, that develops advanced unmanned systems and the industrial capacity required to produce them at scale. Through a deeply vertically integrated, hardware-first approach, the company rapidly designs, builds, tests, and fields defense systems while advancing manufacturing, testing, and supply chain capabilities that support both its own programs and the broader defense industrial base. Through Mach Propulsion and Mach Energetics, the company develops and produces jet engines, solid rocket motors and energetic systems, and serves external customers as a component and subsystem provider for booster, sustainer, and unmanned aerial platforms. Mach Industries delivers the speed, adaptability, and resilience needed to preserve the allied edge in an increasingly contested world. For more information, please visit machindustries.com and follow on LinkedIn and X. Media contact: press@machindustries.com

About Manufacturo 
Manufacturo provides a unified manufacturing management platform for high-complexity, high-change manufacturing, bringing production, supply chain, and quality together in one system. Built by a team with decades of hands-on experience in complex manufacturing, including SpaceX, it supports companies shaping the future of new space, aerospace, defense, and new energy, such as Relativity Space, Sierra Space, ICEYE, SES, Boom Supersonic, Hermeus, Antora, and more. Manufacturo has offices in Brea (CA), USA; Kraków, Poland; and Tokyo, Japan. For more information and an interactive demo, please visit manufacturo.com and follow on LinkedIn and X. Media contact: info@manufacturo.com

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SOURCE Manufacturo, Inc.

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Sandler Partners Announces 2026 Channel Manager and Executive of the Year Award Recipients

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Top Independent Technology Distributor Sandler Partners’ 2026 National Summit Concludes with Awards Recognizing Top Industry Professionals and Organizations at its Closing Gala & Dinner.

REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Provider Channel Managers and a Channel Executive received recognition at the 2026 Sandler Partners National Summit in San Diego, California. This year’s event brought together more than 1,100 members of the Sandler Partners community for a mix of educational panels, a keynote, and sessions across the Technology, Sales, and Growth tracks. Attendees also connected with 65+ leading technology Providers in the Exhibit Hall, making it a week of both recognition and opportunity.

Sandler Partners congratulates the following award winners:

Channel Executive of the Year Award Recipient: 

Chad Townes, AT&T

National Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:

Kevin Bednarz, GraniteStevie Heap, Comcast Business Patrick Cupp, CallTowerJennifer Rutherford, ZayoSarah Manley, AT&TBrett Harman, AT&TNikki Beck, FrontMatt Winterburn, Lumen

East Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:

New England | Kyle Michaels, VonageNew York/New Jersey | Tom Mezzapella, Comcast Business Mid-Atlantic | Connor Cook, Comcast BusinessGeorgia & The Carolinas | Kristina Pagano, Five9Florida | Henry Cruz, Telesystem

Midwest Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:

Great Lakes | Sarah Macdonald, Five9Central | Peter Gasparro, ZultysMidwest | Kirsten Bonnesen, AT&TMountain | Mark Merritt III, SpectrumMountain | Nicole Brungardt, Comcast BusinessPacific Northwest | Chris Risse, Comcast Business

Southwest Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:

Southwest | Kelsey Laycock, TierPointSouthwest | Kaycee Mikeska , NHC

West Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:

SoCal | Yvette Bratt, BroadvoiceNorCal | Brad Pepper, GTTAZ/NV/UT | Max Howell, NHC

“Channel Managers are often the first point of contact for our Partners,” says Managing Partner Alan Sandler. “What sets them apart is how much they care about the outcomes they help create. You see it in the extra effort, the collaboration, and the drive to find the right solution for every customer. This year’s winners work side by side with our Partners to build trust, solve problems, and make the experience better from start to finish. That’s what the Sandler Partners community is all about.”

This year’s National Summit also featured The Surfrider Foundation as Sandler Partners’ designated charity partner, with an on-site exhibit sharing their mission to protect the world’s oceans and coastlines—and ways for attendees to get involved through personal action and support.

About Sandler Partners
Sandler Partners helps empower its network of leading independent Sales Partners to deliver a comprehensive range of technology solutions to organizations worldwide, including Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Connectivity, Cloud, Colocation, Mobility, Internet of Things (IoT), and Continuity. Its community-focused approach enables Partners to identify the right solutions for customers quickly and objectively from a diverse portfolio of 220+ Providers. Partner sales agents, VARs, and MSPs gain access to an innovative suite of sales tools within the Sandler Portal—including SCOUT, Solutions Finder, Scout for Solutions, and the Marketing Center—several of which are AI-powered, all backed by a robust support network, dedicated Sales Engineering expertise, and rich marketing resources. Together, these tools and resources empower Partners to focus on what they do best: delivering quality, value, performance, innovative solutions, unmatched expertise, and exceptional service to their clients. Members of the Sandler Partners community also benefit from the industry’s strongest negotiated agreements and a dedicated team committed to ensuring commissions are accurately identified, tracked, and paid. For more information, visit www.sandlerpartners.com.

Sandler Partners – Media Contact

Tina S. Dyksterhouse

tina@sandlerpartners.com

310-861-2295

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SOURCE Sandler Partners

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Rockford Fosgate to Debut TMA Adaptive Amplifiers, The Rockford Fosgate App and New RV Speaker Category at 2026 SEMA Show

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New TMA Power Amplifiers, Rockford Fosgate App and Adventure Series RV speakers headline a wide-ranging slate of automotive, off-road and marine launches.

TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rockford Fosgate will bring a major slate of new audio products to the 2026 SEMA Show, led by its TMA Adaptive Power Series Amplifiers, the Rockford Fosgate app and the brand’s entry into purpose-built RV speakers with its new Adventure Series Speakers. The launches bring together powerful performance, simplified tuning and rugged, installation-focused design for life on the road, trail and water.

Rockford Fosgate to Debut TMA Adaptive Amplifiers, Rockford Fosgate App and New RV Speaker Category

Power Redefined: TMA Adaptive Amplifiers
Leading the 2026 product introductions is the all-new TMA Adaptive Amplifier Series, engineered to redefine how power, performance, and control come together. Designed to adapt across automotive, marine, powersports, and other custom audio applications, TMA delivers unmatched versatility with the highest power-to-size density in Rockford Fosgate history. The lineup includes four models: the 600-watt TMA-600X4, 750-watt TMA-750X6, 1,000-watt TMA-1000X1, and 1,200-watt TMA-1200X5. Each combines powerful output with advanced adaptive technology, patented Constant Power 2.0™, and rugged IPX7-rated Element Ready™ construction to deliver exceptional performance across a wide range of installations and environments.

More than just amplification, TMA serves as the foundation of the Rockford Fosgate connected audio ecosystem. With integrated digital signal processing, Bluetooth® connectivity, and RF Link 2.0 technology, TMA amplifiers are designed to work together as one intelligent, expandable system. From a single-amplifier installation to a complex multi-amplifier setup, RF Link 2.0 allows users to connect up to four TMA amplifiers within a network of up to 16 compatible devices, simplifying system integration while providing the flexibility to expand as audio needs evolve.

At the center of the experience is the Rockford Fosgate app, putting advanced system tuning and control directly in the user’s hands. Through an intuitive smartphone interface, users can configure and optimize their system with precise control over gain, crossovers, time alignment, 32-band parametric EQ, and Punch EQ+. Guided C.L.E.A.N. 2.0 calibration and available vehicle-specific Load + Go Tunes further simplify setup, while connected diagnostics, saved presets, and firmware updates provide ongoing control and customization. Together, TMA, RF Link 2.0, and the Rockford Fosgate app introduce a new level of adaptability, scalability, and intelligent performance to the Rockford Fosgate audio experience.

Connected Sound: Rockford Fosgate App and RF Link 2.0
The app brings compatible Rockford Fosgate devices together in one interface for setup, personalization and ongoing system management. Users can access Load + Go vehicle-specific tunes on supported kits, save and recall presets, protect settings with a four-digit PIN, review supported system diagnostics and install compatible firmware updates. Available for iOS and Android, the app can manage an RF Link 2.0 network through a single Bluetooth Low Energy connection, without requiring an account for initial setup or tuning.

Powering that experience is RF Link 2.0, Rockford Fosgate’s new connected-audio network. It supports up to 16 compatible devices, including as many as four TMA amplifiers, and lets connected products communicate as one system. New bidirectional RF Link cables streamline installation by carrying data, power, ground and turn-on signals in a single connection. The DRLC-10 Digital Remote Level Controller expands physical control with a 40-step rotary interface, customizable RGB illumination and multiple mounting options.

Adventure Series Opens a New RV Speaker Category
Rockford Fosgate is also expanding into dedicated RV audio with its 6.5-inch Adventure Series speakers, purpose-built for the demands of recreational vehicles. Rather than adapting a conventional car speaker, the new design accounts for RV wall construction, exposed locations and the need for an integrated look inside and outside the coach.

Available in black or white, the speakers fit both 5.25-inch and 6.5-inch openings, with a shallow 1.25-inch mounting depth that minimizes installation challenges. A compression-style rear gasket helps seal against flat or corrugated surfaces, while the UV-stable frame and grille, Santoprene surround and Element Ready™ construction are engineered to handle moisture, dust, UV exposure and vibration. Each speaker pairs a 6.5-inch driver with a grille-integrated 1-inch tweeter and concealed crossover, delivering 50 watts RMS power handling and a clean, OEM-style appearance.

Additional SEMA Launches Span Off-Road, Marine and Automotive
New vehicle-specific Stage-6 systems bring TMA power and app-based tuning to select side-by-sides. The new Can-Am Maverick R Stage-6 system for select 2024-and-newer models is a 1,200-watt, eight-speaker package with dual 10-inch subwoofers, Color Optix™ lighting and Rockford Fosgate’s first aftermarket side-by-side front-door speaker pods. For select 2020-and-newer Polaris RZR PRO models with Ride Command, the RZR20PRORC-STG6 delivers a 1,200-watt, seven-speaker system with a 10-inch subwoofer and vehicle-specific integration.

For marine audio, the PMX-6BB hide-away digital media receiver provides independent dual-zone control and NMEA 2000 connectivity for compatible multifunction displays. The PMX-HTML MFD Controller adds an Ethernet-based interface for compatible HTML5 multifunction displays, bringing source selection, volume, playback, album artwork and audio settings to the vessel’s screen when paired with supported PMX source units.

Rounding out the introductions are updated Prime coaxial and Prime component speaker families. With 50-watt RMS power handling and installation-friendly designs, the lineups offer straightforward ways to upgrade everyday vehicle audio, including vehicle-friendly coaxial mounting and flexible placement of separate component tweeters.

“We’re not just launching new products. We’re building a connected Rockford Fosgate ecosystem that redefines how customers experience audio,” said Zach Luke, President, Rockford Fosgate. “By bringing together powerful technology, intuitive app-based control, and expansion into exciting new categories like RV audio, we’re creating more ways for people to experience Rockford Fosgate performance. This is about pushing beyond traditional boundaries, and delivering an experience that grows with our customers, wherever their adventure takes them”

For more information visit: rockfordfosgate.com or visit an authorized dealer.

About Rockford Fosgate
Setting the standard for excellence in the audio industry, Rockford Corporation markets high-performance audio systems under the brand Rockford Fosgate® for the mobile, marine, motorsport, and motorcycle audio aftermarket and OEM market. Headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., Rockford Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Patrick Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: PATK).

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SOURCE Rockford Fosgate

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