Rafsec teams up with Bibliotheca to form a worldwide alliance for the RFID Library Market

Tampere, 10 December 2003 - Finnish RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) label maker Rafsec Oy has signed an agreement covering the worldwide RFID library market with Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems AG of Switzerland/United States. Bibliotheca will act as the preferred partner in the library market for Rafsec RFID label products, which include specific RFID labels for books, CD/DVDs and video cassettes, all based on the ISO 15693 and ISO 18000-3 standards. The use of these open standards means that libraries will no longer be dependent on a single supplier and that RFID label prices will come down due to the use of ICs and labels produced in high volumes.

"Bibliotheca offers high-quality library solutions at an attractive price, which is exactly the same approach that Rafsec has to offering RFID labels. On top of that, with 20 implementations in Europe and very strong sales in the US as well, Bibliotheca is the market leader in the RFID library market," says Alex Boellaard, Vice President of the Supply Chain Management Business Unit for Rafsec. "By using Bibliotheca as our preferred partner in this market, we'll be able to produce library-specific labels in high volumes, which results in a lower price for libraries."

Jacques Nauer, Managing Director of Bibliotheca: "In our search for RFID labels specific to the library market, we soon found Rafsec to meet every criteria we were looking for. Rafsec produces in accordance with ISO 9001:2000 and is able to manufacture labels that meet the very specific requirements of the library market. Not only for books, but for CDs, DVDs and video cassettes, too. As important as excellent products, Rafsec has the financial stability and depth to maintain its role as a world leader in RFID label production. The position that Rafsec has in other markets, like retail supply chain management, gives us access to new technology when needed. We see Rafsec as a partner not only for now, but also for the future."

Rafsec develops and mass produces high-quality, low cost Card, Ticket and Label Transponders, as well as In-Mould, Wooden Pallet and Garment Tags based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. Founded in 1997 and with headquarters and development located in Tampere, Finland and production in Jyväskylä, Finland, Rafsec now has the largest installed production capacity for Card, Ticket and Label Transponders worldwide. The company has sales offices in the US, France, the Netherlands and Singapore, and is part of the UPM Kymmene Group.

Bibliotheca RFID Library Systems AG with headquarters in Switzerland is a leading provider of RFID technology products to libraries. Bibliotheca designs, manufactures and services RFID library systems through an international network of employees and distributors. The BiblioChip system consists of BiblioChip labels, readers, gates, a self-check unit, an inventory wand and a book return. For more information on the company, please visit www.bibliotheca-rfid.com

For further information, please contact

Alex Boellaard
Vice President, BU Supply Chain Management
RAFSEC Benelux
Rijnzathe 4
NL-3454 PV De Meern, The Netherlands
Tel. +31 30 666 2455
Fax +31 30 666 3014
Mobile +31 646 023 789
alex.boellaard@rafsec.com
www.rafsec.com