SATO wins award in 20th World Label Association Awards Competition for second year in a row

Singapore, October 23, 2008 - SATO, a pioneer in the Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) industry and a leader in barcode printing, labelling, and EPC/RFID solutions, has won the first prize in the Letterpress (Cosmetics) category at the prestigious 20th World Label Association Awards Competition for its “Omotenashi” label.

Contestants were selected from the winners and nominated entries to 5 regional label competitions worldwide - TLMI (US), JFLP (Japan), FINAT (Europe), LATMA (Australia) and SALMA (New Zealand). The World Label Association met on 8th September in Chicago, U.S.A. to determine this year's 'World's Best Labels' in terms of design and printing techniques. SATO has consistently been the pick of the bunch, winning first-place in Letterpress (Cosmetics) category for 2 consecutive years, while also faring strongly in the Japan Seal and Label Contest too, winning 3 awards for year 2008.

"It is a great honour for us to be recognised once again for our excellence in customised labels. Our award-winning quality and techniques, together with our sophisticated global label production facilities are, no doubt, the strengths of total solutions our customers can rely on," said Kaz Matsuyama, Managing Director of SATO International.

Notes:
TLMI (US): Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute, INC
JFLP (Japan) : Japan Federation of Label Printing Industries
FINAT ( Europe) : Féderation INternationale des fabricants et transformateurs d'Adhésifs et Thermocollants sur papiers et autres supports
LATMA ( Australia) : Label and Tag Manufacturers Association of Australia
SALMA ( New Zealand) : Self Adhesive Label Manufacturers Association of New Zealand

“Omotenashi” First-place award - Letterpress (Cosmetics) category, the 20th World Label Association Awards Competition Award - Letterpress category, the 18th Seal and Label Contest (JFLP, Japan)

“Ayaka” JFLP President award - Offset category, the 18th Seal and Label Contest (JFLP, Japan)

“Blue Berry Tarte” Award - Combination Printing (Hot Stamp & Emboss) category, the 18th Seal and Label Contest (JFLP, Japan)

(*Click the label samples for bigger images)

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, 2008, it reported revenues of US$767 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

*Conversion is based on an average exchange rate of 1US Dollar = 114.43 Japanese Yen.

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