Frost & Sullivan Lauds SMARTRAC N.V. for its Competitive Strategy Leadership in European RFID Market

- Unique Strategic Focus Embracing Advances in Technology, Geography, Applications and Product Lines has Underpinned SMARTRAC N.V.'s Competitive Success

LONDON, April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the RFID market, Frost & Sullivan recognises SMARTRAC N.V. with the 2012 European Frost & Sullivan Competitive Strategy Leadership Award.

"The company has showcased steady advancement in its market position through consistent organic growth and acquisitions," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Ram Ravi.  "With rich industry experience of more than a decade, SMARTRAC lays great emphasis on offering value to all its stakeholders: customers, partners, shareholders, employees and end-users."

The company's advances in technology, geography, applications and product lines have consistently anticipated and addressed evolving customer needs. This has been reinforced by strategic partnerships that have enhanced SMARTRAC's market position and brand equity.

SMARTRAC's entire solution range of high performance, high quality RFID transponders are an outcome of technological expertise and innovation. They cater to varied industry segments such as automotive, access control, animal identification, eID documents, E-payment, media management, public transport, and retail apparel across the US, Europe and Asia.

"In 2011, SMARTRAC N.V. expanded its R&D workforce across geographies," remarks Ravi. "Utilising this strategy as a key tool to gain a competitive edge, it successfully augmented its market position by establishing R&D competence centres and prototyping facilities."

The company's strategic acquisitions have also been central to its competitive success. They have ensured maximum value in terms of superior technology, better R&D, new products, applications and the establishment of a global footprint. 

In 2011, SMARTRAC N.V. acquired the German RFID component supplier KSW Microtec AG, and also became a major stakeholder of American RFID transponder supplier Neology, Inc.

Another notable acquisition was that of UPM's RFID business. This allowed SMARTRAC to enhance its portfolio of inlays and tags across various operational frequencies and positions while enabling it to leverage growth opportunities in the apparel and retail sector. The transaction also augmented its access to customers across the world and access to the NFC market and proprietary NFC-related information.

"Such key acquisitions have helped SMARTRAC reach high levels of technology competence, strategic focus, reliability and innovation," adds Ravi. "They have, moreover, enhanced the brand perception of SMARTRAC in the industry."

SMARTRAC lays great emphasis on its unique selling point - technology and process competence. A constantly expanding patent portfolio showcases its dedication to R&D. It files a new patent every month on an average and currently holds more than 370 patents and patent applications related to technology, equipment, and the production of RFID components and related processes.

"The company is committed to addressing customer requirements in the RFID market through high quality, customised offerings," concludes Ravi. "SMARTRAC has been delivering the best value for money to its customers. A positive brand recognition and supreme customer trust, illustrated through enhanced value creation, has helped it optimise customer value and satisfaction."

The Competitive Strategy Leadership Award is awarded to the company that has excelled in leveraging competitive intelligence and in executing a competitive strategy. The company is also commended for its competitive brand positioning (brand strength and unique market position) and for the impact its strategies have had on customer satisfaction/value.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About SMARTRAC

SMARTRAC is the leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of RFID and NFC transponders and inlays. The company produces ready-made and customized transponders and inlays used in access control, animal identification, automated fare collection, border control, RFID-based car immobilizers, electronic product identification, industry, libraries and media management, laundry, logistics, mobile & smart media, public transport, retail, and many more.

SMARTRAC was founded in 2000, went public in July 2006, and trades as a stock corporation under Dutch law with its registered headquarters in Amsterdam. The company currently employs about 3,600 employees and maintains a global research and development, production, and sales network.

Contact:
Tanja Moehler
Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing
SMARTRAC N.V.
Phone: +31 20 30 50 157
Email: tanja.moehler@smartrac-group.com
Internet: www.smartrac-group.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SMARTRAC_NV

About Frost & Sullivan

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Contact:
Catherine Brassell
Best Practices
Frost & Sullivan
E: catherine.brassell@frost.com
T: +44 207 915 7867