Download the PDF: EN | FR
January 18, 2007

KUDELSKI GROUP SECURITAS

The Securitas Group Switzerland takes a 50 percent stake in polyright SA, the branch of the Kudelski Group specializing in the development and marketing of a multifunctional chip-card system.

The alliance will enable the Securitas Group to offer its customers a comprehensive solution to all their security needs and will provide polyright with the support of Securitas’ international network required for its further development.

Zollikofen, Cheseaux, Sion, Switzerland – 18 January 2007 – The Securitas Group Switzerland, a world leader in physical security, and the Kudelski Group (SWX Swiss Exchange: KUD.VX) announce the signing of a purchase agreement on the acquisition by Securitas of a 50% share of polyright SA, Sion, the branch of Kudelski Group that deals with the development and marketing of a multifunctional chip-card system.

This alliance will enable Securitas to expand the range of services in the field of multi-action security solutions that it offers its clients by means of an integrated system developed by polyright. In turn, polyright will be able to develop more effectively, both in Switzerland and abroad, owing to the support of Securitas’ network and technical skills.

“polyright is a company that has demonstrated since its creation, excellent creative potential and a very good facility to adapt to competitive markets.” said André Kudelski. “The support of the Securitas Group will permit our affiliate to have access to a first-rate sales, distribution and after-sales service network. This equitable alliance with a global leading Swiss company clearly shows our desire to further develop expertise and know-how in chip-card business applications. It also shows our constant commitment to supporting polyright’s initiatives particularly in the field of education and universities.”

For Mr Hans Winzenried of the Securitas Group, “Acquiring of a share of the capital of polyright is part of our strategy to offer customers a full range of services relating to security. The platform provided by polyright, through its technological advances and the dynamism of the team that designed them, is the only one capable of helping us achieve this goal. In collaboration with the Kudelski Group, we are putting at polyright's disposal our experience and the means it requires to strengthen its technical and commercial set-up in Switzerland and abroad, thus creating a platform of reference in Europe."

Established under the name of SportAccess in 1997, with the support of the ski lifts in the canton of Valais, and a member of the Kudelski Group since 2000, polyright was initially active in the field of ticketing and access control for sports facilities. It then successfully turned its attention to multifunctional systems that work on the basis of chip cards, targeting the education, health, industrial and service sectors.

Using a single chip card, polyright’s solutions enable the integrated management of all functions linked to security, time management, and electronic-wallet payments (cafeterias, restaurants, photocopiers, printers, automatic ticketing machines, etc.).

Numerous universities, schools, clinics and international businesses are among the customers of polyright, the leading name in Switzerland in this industry branch.

Thierry Gattlen, founder and CEO of polyright, is delighted by this new strategic collaboration. “Boosted by the support of our two prestigious shareholders, we mean to push ahead with the development of our activities in Switzerland and Europe, while benefiting from the new experience brought to us by the Securitas Group. Our objective is to make polyright's platform a standard in multi-action technology in order to expand our field of activity, while preserving the faculties of openness and integration that have led to its success."

The Kudelski Group
The Kudelski Group (SWX: KUD.VX), is world leader in digital security. Its technologies are used in a wide range of applications requiring access control and rights management, whether for securing transfer of information (digital television, broadband Internet, video-on-demand, interactive applications, etc.) or to control and manage access of people or vehicles to sites and events. The Kudelski Group is headquartered in Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne, Switzerland. For more information, please visit www.nagra.com.


The Securitas Group
The Securitas Group is a world leader in the field of security (www.securitas.ch) and celebrates its centenary in 2007. The Service and Security Systems divisions provide clients with comprehensive solutions to their security needs (surveillance, fire alarms, anti-theft systems, CCTV, access control, management systems, etc.) in Switzerland, Europe and throughout the world. The headquarters of the Securitas Group is in Zollikofen/Bern. Securitas is a family business. In 2006, it achieved a turnover of more than CHF 800 million and employed nearly 10,000 people. Mr Samuel Spreng, who is the third generation, is chairman of the board of directors.


Contacts :

Securitas:
Reto Casutt, General Secretary
+ 41 31 910 12 14
[email protected]

Kudelski Group:
Anne-Sophie Schlachter, Corporate Communication Assistant
+41 21 732 07 38
[email protected]

polyright:
Thierry Gattlen, CEO
+41 27 323 09 10
[email protected]