Jul 18 2006
3M announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with authentos GmbH, Germany, to acquire Security Printing and Systems Limited (SPSL), a leading producer of finished, personalized passports and secure cards headquartered in Manchester, U.K. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
SPSL has provided passports to the U.K. Government for more than four decades. SPSL's position as a trusted source for security document expertise and biometric passports incorporating RFID technology complements 3M's own expertise in RFID, security laminates for passports and secure document issuing systems.
"The addition of SPSL to our line of products for secure documents such as passports, ID cards, driver's licenses and visas, and secure document issuance systems will allow us to deliver a full range of border and civil security solution products," said David Cook, director, Safety and Security Systems, 3M United Kingdom.
Supported by SPSL the Identity and Passport Service in the U.K. is currently in the process of transitioning from digital passports to biometric passports with personal data integrated in an RFID chip, which provides significant additional protection against fraud and forgery.
"3M's global presence, technical innovation and strong customer focus in the secure document marketplace will expand SPSL's global reach," said Mike Delkoski, division vice president, 3M Security Systems Division.
"The Identity and Passport Service is at the forefront of biometric and identity document technology and we remain committed to providing technical expertise and high quality service which will support all our customers' strategic requirements," said Frank Toner, CEO of SPSL. "In addition, we look forward to the possibilities of expanding our business through 3M's global reach."
The transaction is expected to close by the end of the month, subject to customary closing conditions.