SATO starts production of printer circuit boards in Vietnam

Singapore, December 04, 2007 - SATO, a pioneer in the Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) industry and a leader in barcode printing, labelling, and EPC/RFID solutions, announced that its production facilities in Vietnam, SATO VIETNAM, has started producing printer circuit boards.

SATO has two factories, one in Malaysia and another in Vietnam, which produce 3 models of high-volume printers since last year and the production volume for this year’s first half has already reached 360% from last year’s full-year results. In line with SATO’s goal to achieve consolidated sales of 150 billion yen by year 2015, printer unit sales are expected to be about 3 times and printer circuit boards production will have to double to meet demand.

“There has been a marked increase in printer unit shipment, especially 50% growth in overseas sales versus last year’s first-half. The establishment of a production base in Vietnam is central to our operations strategy to enables us to meet our sales and profitability targets,” said Toshihiro Waki, Executive Vice President & COO - International Operations of SATO Corporation.

About SATO
SATO is a pioneer in the Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) industry and the inventor of the world’s first electronic thermal transfer barcode printer. It revolutionised the barcoding industry by introducing the Data Collection System (DCS) & Labelling concept – a total barcode and labelling solution providing high quality barcode printers, scanners/hand-held terminals, label design software and consumables. SATO is one of the first in the industry to introduce a complete, multi-protocol EPC-compliant, UHF RFID solution.

SATO is publicly listed on the first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange in Japan. It has worldwide offices in the United States, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Poland, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and China. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, it reported revenues of US$705 million. More information about SATO Corporation can be found at www.sato.co.jp/english


About SATO International
SATO’s international global headquarters, SATO International Pte. Ltd is located in Singapore. Previously an international division, it was incorporated as a holding company in Singapore in 2001 to oversee the sales, marketing and customer services activities of all its Group Member Companies. More information about SATO International can be found at www.satoworldwide.com


Contact:
Yuji Shimizu
Manager, Corporate Planning
SATO International PTE. LTD.
438A, Alexandra Road #05-01/04
Alexandra Technopark
Singapore 119967
Tel: (65) 6271-2122
Fax: (65) 6271-2151
Email: communications@sato-int.com