PACE PLC 
By Pace plc, in partnership with MultiChoice, announced today that it is working with local manufacturer Vektronix to assemble and deliver MultiChoice's new HD PVR decoder, the DStv Explora.
Collins Khumalo, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa commented, "We are pleased that Pace is manufacturing the DStv Explora in South Africa. This will contribute positively to skills development, local economic development and job creation in the manufacturing, logistics and sales sectors of our economy."
Pace is already a technology partner with MultiChoice for the existing HD PVR. The partnership between the two companies first started in 1995 with the development of MultiChoice's very first PVR decoder.
Shane McCarthy, President of Pace International, commented, "We are proud to be selected by MultiChoice to deliver their latest generation decoder. It is testament to the advanced, user-friendly and robust Pace set top boxes that MultiChoice's HD customers have been using since 2008. The deal extends our global HD leadership - Pace's HD expertise, customer base and technological capability - that is unrivalled by our competitors."
Mass production of MultiChoice's DStv Explora product started in July 2013 at Vektronix.
Mark Merigot, Senior Vice President of Operation at Pace, said "Setting up remote facilities can be challenging and we'd like to thank our long standing customer MultiChoice and local manufacturing partner Vektronix for their support. This is a significant investment for Pace and underlines our commitment for business and growth in the region."
Having a manufacturing facility in South Africa enables Pace to locally supply set top boxes to operators in South Africa and into Southern African Development Community countries.
Craig Tyzack, MD at Vektronix, stated that the company "was equally proud to have been selected to manufacture Pace's leading-edge products, and that this project was testament to the fact that South African manufacturers have the ability to produce to world-class standards."
The DStv Explora will be available in retail from 15 August 2013. For more information go to http://dstv.com/explora.
About Pace plc
Pace (LSE: PIC) creates technologies, software, hardware and services for the broadcast and broadband industries. Pace solutions empower cable, telco and satellite operators to simply and cost-effectively innovate at the speed they want, in the way they want for their subscribers. Pace has built up its experience and expertise over 30 years and this is recognized by a customer base of over 160 operators around the globe. Headquartered in the UK, Pace operates in markets across the world, and employs around 2000 people in locations that also include the USA, France, India and China.
About Vektronix
Vektronix is a privately-owned electronics manufacturer based in East London producing, inter alia: decoders, flat-panel televisions, video monitors, electricity meters, and currently employs 240 employees. The factory was started as one of the first television manufacturers in South Africa in 1974 and has diversified over the years into a fully-fledged contract manufacturer.http://www.vektronix.com
For more information:
MultiChoice Press Release
DStv Explora to Revolutionise TV in SA
Peter Simpson
Pace plc
peter.simpson@pace.com
+44 (0)7776 482029
Kirsten Scott or Louise Potter
Éclat Marketing
pace@eclat.co.uk
+44 (0)1276 486000
Marietjie Groenewald
MultiChoice South Africa
marietjie.groenewald@multichoice.co.za
+27 (0)79 501 1758
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