Regulatory News:
Gemalto, the world leader in digital security, and Allied Technologies
Limited today announced that they have entered into an agreement whereby
Altech will sell its NamITech South Africa business to Gemalto.
NamITech, with revenues of approximately ZAR 200Million (~€15Million),
is a leading provider of secure cards and services in the Southern
African area. Its Linbro facility notably provides secure banking
personalization services to major banks in South Africa, employing
approximately 350 people. Altech Card Solutions, Altech ISIS and
Namitech West Africa (Nigeria) are not included in the transaction and
remain part of Altech Group.
Commenting on the Transaction, Craig Venter, CEO of Altech Group, said ?We
have had a business relationship with Gemalto for over 15 years. We
believe that this transaction provides the best future for the Namitech
team and the best support to our customers?. Olivier Piou, CEO of
Gemalto added ?Africa is a region on the rise for us. This project
will enable us to grow our service offering to Southern Africa
customers, and contribute to the development of the industry in the area.?
The transaction, which is subject to approval from the South African
Competition Commission, is expected to close in March 2009.
About Gemalto
Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the leader in digital
security with pro forma 2007 annual revenues of over €1.6 billion,
more than 85 offices in 40 countries and about 10,000 employees
including 1,300 R&D engineers. In a world where the digital revolution
is increasingly transforming our lives, Gemalto's solutions are designed
to make personal digital interactions more convenient, secure and
enjoyable.
Gemalto provides end-to-end solutions for digital security, from the
development of software applications, through the design and production
of secure personal devices such as smart cards, SIMs, e-passports, and
tokens to the deployment of managed services for its customers. More
than a billion people worldwide use the company's products and services
for telecommunications, financial services, e-government, identity
management, multimedia content, digital rights management, IT security,
mass transit and many other applications.
As the use of Gemalto's software and secure devices increases with the
number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the
company is poised to thrive over the coming years. For more information,
please visit www.gemalto.com
About Allied Technologies Limited (Altech)
Altech is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and is an
investment holding company, involved in the telecommunications,
multi-media and information technology industries, which employs over
4200 employees in South Africa and abroad.
As a leading South African multi-billion rand high-technology group,
Altech is involved in the design, development, convergence, manufacture,
installation and distribution of telecommunications equipment,
multi-media systems, IT solutions, electronic components, cellular
telephony and industrial electronic products. There is a strong focus on
the convergence of these technologies and Altech is now also entrenched
in the arena of secure technology solutions.
Strong partnerships with international principals ensure that Altech has
ongoing access to the latest technologies worldwide, while the group's
own research and development programmes actively encourages and promotes
internal technology advances.
Gemalto
Investor Relations
Vincent Biraud, M.: +33(0) 6 08 48
33 23
vincent.biraud@gemalto.com
or
Corporate
Communication
Rémi Calvet, M.: +33(0) 6 22 72 81 58
remi.calvet@gemalto.com
or
Altech
Craig
Venter, (011) 715-9004
Chief Executive Officer
FAX: (011)
715-9045
CELL: 083 236 8000
cventer@altech.co.za
