19th Jul 2005 10:00
Smiths Group PLC19 July 2005 News ReleaseLondon, 19/07/2005For immediate release Smiths Heimann Biometrics and Cross Match Technologies to join forces Smiths Group plc announced today that it intends to combine Smiths HeimannBiometrics GmbH ("SHB") with Florida-based biometrics business Cross MatchTechnologies Inc. ("Cross Match"). SHB was acquired in 2002 as a part of thelarger Heimann Systems acquisition. The value of SHB's net assets beingcontributed is £7 million (€11 million), yielding Smiths an approximate 40%shareholding in the enlarged Cross Match. SHB's unaudited sales for the 12months to June 2005 were £13 million (€19 million). The transaction is expectedto be completed in early August 2005. SHB and Cross Match supply complementary products and services that enable thereading, storage and recognition of biometric data: capabilities which areincreasingly required by both law enforcement agencies and civil authorities.The increased geographical spread of the combined business will ensure that itscomplete product range is available in all the key markets around the world. About Smiths Group & Smiths DetectionSmiths Group designs and manufactures safety-critical systems and products, andhas market leading positions in aerospace, detection systems, medical devices,mechanical seals and interconnect products. For further information visitwww.smiths-group.com Smiths Detection offers technologically advanced security solutions to detectand identify explosives, chemical & biological agents, weapons and contraband.Employing trace detection technology together with Smiths Heimann x-ray imaging,Smiths Detection provides screening solutions for customers in civil andmilitary markets worldwide - Ends - Contacts:Media: Investors:Chris Fox Russell Plumley+44 (0) 20 8457 8403 +44 (0) 20 8457 [email protected] [email protected] Notes to Editors About Smiths Heimann Biometrics Smiths Heimann Biometrics GmbH was acquired by the Smiths Group as a small partof the larger Heimann Systems GmbH acquisition in 2002. SHB entered thebiometrics business in 1996 and is based in Jena, Germany. It designs andmanufactures optical scanners for biometric imaging, for example of finger andpalm prints, and its products are widely used by law enforcement agencies. Ithas approximately 90 employees, the majority in Jena with some salespeople inLas Vegas, USA. About Cross Match Cross Match was established in 1996 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA. With160 employees, its optical scanners for the digital capture of finger and palmprints are widely used for identification by the military and by civilauthorities in the USA. About the combined company The combined company will be able to supply an enhanced range of products, forexample: • SHB produced the first 10-fingerprint flat capture product for civilian background checks approved by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. • SHB's combined palm printer and 10-fingerprint system is one of the most successful systems in the industry and is meeting customer needs with approximately 4500 installations. • SHB's newly released "Authenticator" reads ID cards and other documents, captures biometric data and hence confirms identity. • The US Department of Defense and the FBI are using the Cross Match fingerprint and multimode biometric readers in the harshest areas of the world. • Cross Match recently released the first in a series of identity management solutions, the VisTrakTM, for visitor and inmate tracking. • Cross Match's award winning ID 500TM fingerprint capture system was designed to meet the needs of both civil authorities and the emerging commercial market. The system has been purchased by over 100 financial institutions for employee background checks. • Cross Match also provides fingerprint background check services through a national network of medical centres. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Smiths Group