A new secure card and document printing facility is to be established in Pretoria as a result of a memorandum of understanding signed by German secure ID systems provider, Bundesdruckerei and local black empowerment company, Labat Card Technologies (LCD).
"The next step will be an intensive skills transfer programme," says Brian van Rooyen, Labat executive chairman. "The new company based at Labat`s Sames silicon chip factory will develop, manufacture and market secure card and document solutions initially to the local and African market."
Van Rooyen says in addition to its chip manufacturing facility, Labat brings to the joint venture a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and smart card manufacturing capacity through its acquisition of Africard Data Systems in April.
Michael Schaub, Bundesdruckerei MD, says over and above experience in secure card and document production, the partnership brings into SA knowledge about biometric and smart card access control technologies and their implementation at border posts, sporting events and government buildings.
"The experience Bundesdruckerei has gained from operating one of the world`s largest central production and personalisation systems for passports and ID cards in several countries will be essential in providing the right solutions for the African market," says Schaub.
Alexander Georgiev, LCD MD, says while Namitech has been LCD`s strongest competitor in the smart card market, the partnership with Bundesdrukerei adds a new competency that will enable LCD to develop new secure card and documents products for the local and African market.
"There is a trend in Africa to introduce new identification documents as a way of promoting national unity," says Georgiev.
Schaub adds that in deciding to form a partnership in SA, Bundesdrukerei was mindful of the fact that the government is an opinion leader in the continent and recognised driver of technology and security issues.
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