ASK (Paragon ID) : Paragon ID strengthen its position in the UK with Burall InfoSmart acquisition (AcT)

Strengthening of smart ticketing offer for public transportation in the UK

Paragon ID (Euronext Paris - FR0011980077), leader in identification solutions in the e-ID, transport & smart cities and traceability & brand protection sectors have announced the acquisition of Burall InfoSmart.

Located close to Cambridge in England, Burall InfoSmart is one of the pioneers in the production and personalisation of smart cards and magnetic tickets. The company is a well-known and respected supplier in diverse markets including public transport, higher education, utilities and local authorities.

As one of the few companies to be certified ITSO (Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation), the UK standard for smart ticketing, Burall InfoSmart specialises particularly in the transportation sector and plans to grow significantly to reach €4 m turnover in the next two years.

Already well established in the UK, Paragon ID is responsible for the supply of almost 1 billion magnetic stripe tickets for the train operating companies in the country and also supplies Oyster Cards to Transport for London.

This strategic acquisition will enhance the Group's offer to the transportation and access control markets and to continue to support their clients as they move from traditional tickets to smarter solutions such as RFID tickets, smart cards or contactless ticketing via mobile phone also known as HCE ticketing.

This acquisition also reinforces the global industrial footprint of the group for the production and personalisation of tickets and cards, already established in France and Romania. It is in line with the company's strategy to grow and confirm its position as a true leader in identification solutions.

Arron Duddin, the current MD of Burall InfoSmart, will now take over as Smart Solutions Director for Paragon ID1 in the UK.

• Paul Mc Enaney General Manager de Paragon ID UK says “ The many synergies between both companies and our combined skills and expertise will allow for a much greater offering of RFID and smart ticketing; not just to the transportation sector but many other areas such as education, local authorities and public utilities providers. ”
   
• Julien Zuccarelli, Managing Director, Paragon ID1, adds : “The acquisition of Burrall Infosmart is in line with Paragon ID1's growth strategy. The UK market is key to the group and brings many opportunities in particular for NFC applications in a wide range of sectors including retail and brand protection.”

A propos de Paragon ID¹ - ASK

Paragon ID¹ est issu du rapprochement, fin avril 2017, entre ASK et la division Identification & Traçabilité de Paragon Group Ltd. Paragon ID est un champion des solutions d'identification dédié aux marchés de l'e.ID, du Transport & Smart Cities, et de la Traçabilité & Protection des marques.

Paragon ID¹ offre une large gamme de solutions, embarquées dans tous les types de supports (Passeport, Documents d'identité, Tickets & Etiquettes intelligentes, Smart Cards, Smartphones, Cartes bancaires).

S'appuyant sur environ 600 collaborateurs à travers le monde, Paragon ID¹ dispose d'une base industrielle forte, avec des usines sur les trois continents (Amériques, Europe, Asie), à proximité de ses clients.

Paragon ID réalise un chiffre d'affaires combiné 2016/17 de 110 M€ pour une marge d'EBITDA retraitée de 7,7% (Code ISIN : FR0011980077 - Code mnémonique : ASK - Nombre d'actions composant le capital social : 58 286 819).

Plus d'informations sur ASK-Contactless.com

Contacts

[1] The company ASK intends to change its name to Paragon ID. This new name will be put to the vote during the next shareholders meeting.

Source : Actusnews