Company News From Visage, Identix, SimplexGrinnell, Gemalto, Pelco

January 31, 2006 SSI Staff

Viisage, Identix Mix Together
Biometric security manufacturers Viisage Technology Inc. and Identix Inc. have agreed on a merger where Viisage will pay $770 Million in stock for the Minnetonka, Minn.-based manufacturer of fingerprint, facial and skin identification systems.
The merger has been approved by the boards of both companies and is expected to close by June.
The companies have not determined a new name for the merged firms. Viisage, which also manufacturers biometric identity solutions, says it will blend its approach with Identix’s.

SimplexGrinnell Helps Restore Alarm Services in New Orleans
Several technicians with systems manufacturer SimplexGrinnell worked to restore fire and life-safety systems for customers in New Orleans and received hotel space for its temporary operations from one of its customers.
Despite little to no rooms available in the New Orleans area, displaced service employees from SimplexGrinnell’s New Orleans offices have been staying at the Hilton New Orleans Airport and the Hilton New Orleans Riverside with rooms made available by Simplex customer Hilton Hotels Corp.
SimplexGrinnell has been working to repair and retest fire and life-safety systems damaged by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding.

Smart Card Merger Unites Axalto With Gemplus
Axalto Holding, the second largest smart card provider, has agreed to buy its rival Gemplus Int’l in a $928 million deal. The combined company will be will be called Gemalto.
While both smart card companies mainly dominate the European market, both have market share in the North American market as well.

Pelco Plays With Another Record-Setting Toy Run
Not content to set the pace as the largest donator to the U.S. Marine Corps.’ “Toys for Tots” campaign, the employees of CCTV product-maker Pelco bested themselves with a record-setting toy donation drive in November and December. Pelco and its employees are donating 150,440 toys, besting their record of 149,408 toys donated in 2000.
The program has come far from when a small group of Pelco employees got together in 1993 and donated 808 toys to Marines’ program, which donates toys during the holiday season to homeless and in-need children. Toys for Tots officials say Pelco’s donation drive is the largest in the nation.

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