Global Automated Identification Data Collection Leader Rebrands to Reflect New Market Demand

Barcode SATO International Pte Ltd (BSI), a holding company for SATO Corporation's overseas sales offices, will from today be known as SATO International Pte. Ltd., while its division Bar Code SATO Electronics (S) Pte Ltd (BSS), will be now known as SATO Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. The name change is a reflection of SATO's expanding range of products and AIDC solutions, as it now offers RFID technology within its portfolio of human readable codes, barcodes and 2D codes.

To complement the rebranding exercise, a new SATO RFID icon will add to its current two icons to help communicate the addition of RFID solutions to the SATO range of products.

RFID is a state-of-the-art technology that is fast becoming the focal point for applications such as logistics, material management particularly supply-chain-management (SCM), industrial automation and services. SATO, a leader in barcode printing since introducing the first thermal transfer barcode printer in 1981, has been supplying high frequency RFID solutions for some years.

SATO aims to maintain its lead in the AIDC industry through research and development in the RFID arena, to better serve the changing needs of its customers.

"The RFID solutions offered by SATO can be used to complement existing barcode systems by taking it one step further in supply-chain logistics. By offering RFID developments, which is now rapidly evolving as THE tool for tracking, SATO is able to give our customers more value, more choices and ultimately a more complete AIDC solutions programme. The name change manifests SATO's position as a full-range AIDC solutions provider, and our continued commitment to DCS and Labelling, with the incorporation of RFID technology," explained Mr T.Waki, Managing Director of SATO International.

SATO International is supported by a new Research & Development (R&D) section specialising in customisation for AIDC and RFID solutions. The R&D team for customers outside of Japan was set up in March this year, and further strengthens SATO International's ability to deliver solutions customized to specific client requirements.

SATO has introduced ePC Class 1-compliant printing solutions, which are currently running in the Wal-Mart testing and development lab located in Bentonville, Arkansas. Furthermore, SATO has continued to be innovative and a leader by more recently releasing the first ePC-compliant solution for the European market to meet European retailer, Metro's, demands.

SATO has also developed a series of RFID Solutions for Access Control, Healthcare, Document Tracking and Management and Garment Labelling.

Not just intent on being committed to improving itself and its products, SATO Asia Pacific is at the same time working to reduce negative impact to the environment. It is this commitment that won the company ISO certifications in November 2001 for Quality (ISO9001:2000) and Environmental (ISO14001:1996) Management System.