SATO America, Inc. Appoints New Marketing Manager

CHARLOTTE, NC – January 19, 2005 – SATO Corporation., a global leader in barcode printing, labeling, and EPC/RFID solutions, today announced the appointment of Phil Koch as Marketing Manager. Reporting to Robert Linse, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, North America, Mr. Koch will be responsible for managing all aspects of the marketing department including product development, media and press campaigns, trade shows and exhibitions, product training, and new business development.
Previously, Mr. Koch has held several mid-level to senior level marketing and sales positions for companies including U.S. Label, Paxar, Avery Dennison, and SML. He has managed and led marketing departments in both privately-held and Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Koch speaks Spanish and has traveled extensively having lived in three countries during his career.

Robert Linse commented, “Phil’s experience and background in both marketing and sales will provide a new perspective and focus to SATO America and his leadership abilities will direct the marketing department to the next level. As the company continues to expand in this hemisphere, Phil will play an integral role in achieving our goals.”

Mr. Koch graduated from Appalachian State University with a BSBA degree in Marketing and received his MBA in marketing and finance from Wake Forest University. He will be located in Charlotte, NC and can be reached at (704) 644-1650 Ext. 1206 or philk@satoamerica.com.

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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) and Labelling concept – a total barcode and labelling solutions approach providing high quality barcode printers, scanners/hand held terminals, label design software and consumables. SATO is a public listed company in Japan and has worldwide offices in United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and China. SATO stock is traded on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. More information can be found at www.sato.co.jp/english