SATO announces record sales and operating income

Singapore, June 29, 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 its financial results for the year ended March 31, 2007; this year’s sales and operating income were the highest ever recorded in the history of SATO: US$705 million and US$49 million respectively, up by 19.6% and 9.1% from last year.

The contributions from the recently acquired Checkpoint / METO businesses (CKP) and Walker Datavision in 2006 have boosted sales for the year. In Japan , the continued growth in sales of markdown control systems to large retailers and further expansion in the healthcare industry as well as a steady increase in sales to manufacturing and food processing industries contributed to another record performance. Europe remains key to SATO’s international expansion plans, and it finally turned around lifting itself into the black for the second half of the fiscal year. Combined with the strong sustained growth in the US and steady year-on-year progress in Asia-Pacific, the Group has achieved its record performance in spite of the one-time integration expenses brought on by the recent acquisitions.

“This year’s results show that SATO is on target to achieving consolidated sales of 150 billion yen by year 2015. As we overcome all operational challenges related to the integration of the recently acquired businesses, we are confident to reap the synergy benefits and make it another record-breaking year,” said Toshihiro Waki, Managing Director of SATO International.  

For Investor Relations, please visit http://www.sato.co.jp/english/ir/index.html

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:
Junko Ono
Manager, Communications & Business Planning
SATO International PTE. LTD.
438A, Alexandra Road #05-01/04
Alexandra Technopark
Singapore 119967
Tel: (65) 6271-2122
Fax: (65) 6271-2151
Email: junko.ono@sato-int.com