July 12, 2007Acquisitions -- 3M Buys Rochford ThompsonUK passport reader manufacturer Rochford Thompson has agreed to be purchased by 3M. Passport readers are used in all types of airline and travel security kiosks. This narrows the field abit now with 3M, Access Keyboards, and Desko being most of the market. Rochford Thompson Tel: +44 (0)1635 580666
- Acquisition Broadens 3M's Secure Document Scanning Solutions Portfolio - ST. PAUL, Minn., and BRACKNELL, England - July 12, 2007 - 3M announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Rochford Thompson Equipment Ltd., a manufacturer of optical character recognition passport readers used by airlines and immigration authorities, headquartered in Newbury, Berkshire. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. As a provider of security document scanning solutions, Rochford Thompson's core skills are in the data capture of identity document information from complex digital images and RFID chips. The majority of Rochford Thompson readers are used by airlines for data capture at check-in desks and self-service kiosks and by immigration authorities for border control. Other users include cruise lines, ferry companies, transport police, banks and other organisations that need to read passports, visas, ID cards or airline tickets. "The addition of Rochford Thompson enhances our line of products for secure document capture and authentication and will allow us to expand into transportation markets such as international airlines," said Mike Delkoski, division vice president, 3M Security Systems Division. "Rochford Thompson's product line includes swipe readers and mobile readers that are ideal for use in the airline industry for reading tickets, passports and other IDs," added Phil Wild, managing director, Security Systems, 3M United Kingdom and Ireland. Complementary acquisitions such as this support both 3M's core business and growth strategy to expand into adjacent markets. Rochford Thompson employs approximately 30 people. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions. About Rochford Thompson Equipment Ltd. About 3M 3M has pioneered innovation since 1902 and, today, invests more than $1.5 billion a year in R&D. It has applied its expertise in RFID technology to deliver biometric passports; it is using its understanding of the healthcare industry to provide hospitals with infection prevention solutions; and its digital signage offerings are set to revolutionise the way businesses communicate with their customers, their employees and the general public. 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide to deliver more than 55,000 products to customers in some 200 countries. Its diverse technologies touch nearly every aspect of modern life, serving markets such as consumer and office, display and graphics, electronics and communications, safety, security and protection services, healthcare, industrial and transportation. The UK and Ireland is home to one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the USA, employing 3800 people across 16 locations, including 11 manufacturing sites. Products manufactured in the UK include coated abrasives, respirators, adhesive tapes, industrial microbiology products, drug delivery systems, high-performance coatings and secure documents. 3M Centre, Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8HT
Investor Contacts: Bruce Jermeland, 3M
This e-mail and any attached documents may contain confidential or proprietary information. If you are not the intended recipient, please advise the sender immediately and delete this e-mail and all attached documents from your computer system. Any unauthorised disclosure, distribution or copying hereof is prohibited.
|