DGAP-News: SMARTRAC N.V. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous SMARTRAC further strengthens its trusted brand 01.03.2012 / 07:28 --------------------------------------------------------------------- SMARTRAC further strengthens its trusted brand * KSW Microtec AG changes company name to SMARTRAC TECHNOLOGY Dresden GmbH * Launch of group-wide branding activities to reinforce global visibility of the SMARTRAC brand Amsterdam, March 1, 2012 - SMARTRAC N.V., a leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of RFID transponders and inlays, announced that the company has launched group-wide branding activities to further strengthen its well-known and trusted brand. As part of the branding measures, KSW Microtec AG (KSW) changed its company name to SMARTRAC TECHNOLOGY Dresden GmbH. KSW was acquired by SMARTRAC on December 14, 2011. The integration of KSW's business into the SMARTRAC Group commenced shortly after the acquisition. The change of name of KSW to SMARTRAC TECHNOLOGY Dresden GmbH is a result of the Group's strategy to unite its core business under the family brand 'SMARTRAC' and is a sign of togetherness and commitment to the same values and principles. 'We have established < Combining the Best> as guiding principle for the current integration processes,' said Dr. Christian Fischer, CEO of SMARTRAC. 'This basic idea is not only expression of our mindset on how we want to realize the integration processes. It is also expression of the value we aim to generate for our joint customer base and business partners.' Combining KSW's long-term expertise in the high frequency (HF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID inlay production and proprietary know-how with SMARTRAC's strengths and capabilities fortifies SMARTRAC's technology base, product portfolio, and market position. As a result of the integration, customers will benefit from the best product portfolio in the access control, e-payment, e-Ticketing, and asset management application fields as well as for high-security products for government identification documents. In addition, the combined business activities aim at delivering customers the best service, highest quality, innovation, and best value within the proven and dedicated business model as a developer, manufacturer, and supplier of RFID transponders and inlays. 'We are very pleased that the integration process developed fast and smooth. The fact that we were able to complete the integration within two months only after the acquisition clearly shows that the teams and businesses ideally complement each other,' said Thomas Hitzer, CEO of former KSW, new Head of Business Unit Cards and Member of the Group Executive Team at SMARTRAC. The 'Combining the Best' guiding principle also includes the integration of UPM RFID into the SMARTRAC Group. The acquisition of UPM RFID is not completed yet; closing of the transaction is still subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to be completed within the first quarter of 2012. The group-wide branding activities which include among others the launch of a new company logo are scheduled for a period of 14 months and aim at reinforcing the global visibility of the SMARTRAC brand. 'Despite the fact that we are a comparably young company, the SMARTRAC brand is already well-established on several continents,' said Tanja Moehler, Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing. 'SMARTRAC stands for growth, leadership, a strong technology and IP portfolio, high quality, a passionate team with a unique spirit, and a strong focus on our customers' needs. We will now focus on sharpening the brand perception in areas where there is room for improvement.' About SMARTRAC: SMARTRAC is a leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of RFID transponders and inlays for a broad range of applications in all current frequency standards. The company produces both ready-made and customized transponders for public transport, access control, RFID-based car immobilizers, animal identification, libraries, industry, and logistics. SMARTRAC is one of the global market leaders in high-quality RFID inlays for electronic passports (e-passports) and contactless credit cards (e-payment) as well as for RFID transponders for public transportation applications. SMARTRAC was founded in 2000, went public in July 2006, and trades as a stock corporation under Dutch law with its registered headquarters in Amsterdam. The company currently employs approximately 3,300 employees and maintains a global research and development, production, and sales network. If you have any questions, please contact: Tanja Moehler Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing SMARTRAC N.V. Phone: +31 20 30 50 157 Email: tanja.moehler@smartrac-group.com Internet: www.smartrac-group.com Find news and updates about us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SMARTRAC_NV Forward-looking statements: To the extent that this press release contains forward-looking statements, such statements are based on assumptions, planning, and forecasts at the time of publication of this press release. Forward-looking statements always involve uncertainties. Business and economic risks and developments, the conduct of competitors, political decisions, and other factors may cause the actual results to be materially different from the assumptions, planning, and forecasts at the time of publication of this press release. Therefore, SMARTRAC N.V. does not assume any responsibility relating to forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Furthermore, SMARTRAC N.V. does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. End of Corporate News --------------------------------------------------------------------- 01.03.2012 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: SMARTRAC N.V. Strawinskylaan 851 1077 XX Amsterdam Netherlands Phone: +31 20 30 50 157 Fax: +31 20 30 50 155 E-mail: investor.relations@smartrac-group.com Internet: www.smartrac-group.com ISIN: NL0000186633 WKN: A0JEHN Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 158826 01.03.2012
DGAP-News: SMARTRAC further strengthens its trusted brand
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