HID Global, a worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, has announced its intention to acquire Evolis, a leading manufacturer of card printers and consumables. The addition of Evolis combines two of the leaders in the desktop printer market and expands HID’s printer portfolio, geographic relevance, and ability to serve customers in additional verticals.
Evolis develops, manufactures, and sells printers and software for personalization of physical credentials. Through a well-established channel network, Evolis has built a deep-rooted global market position in the instant issuance of physical credentials, such as ID cards, access control badges, payment cards, and other personalized credentials.
The purchase price (and intended tender offer price) for 100% of the shares and voting rights of Evolis would amount to €228.6 million, i.e. €43.75 per Evolis’ share. Details of the envisaged acquisition are available in today’s press release from ASSA ABLOY and on the ASSA ABLOY website.
“I am looking forward to welcoming Evolis into the HID family” says Björn Lidefelt, EVP and Head of HID Global. “Joining forces with a strong industry player like Evolis would enable us to better meet our customers’ needs and provides complementary growth opportunities across product, geographical, and vertical market presence.”
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Angers, France, Evolis develops, manufactures, and sells printers and software for personalization of physical credentials. The company has approximately 380 employees and owns a large and efficient manufacturing operation, including a fully-owned 110,000 square foot facility in Angers.
Thanks to a well-established distribution network, Evolis has forged a solid position in the worldwide market for instant issuance of physical credentials in all market segments, including ID cards, driver’s licenses, payment cards, access control badges, and other personalized credentials. Card printers and consumables constitute the bulk of Evolis’ revenue, while complementary software like cardPresso, Badge Studio, and Edikio provide additional value to its customers. Evolis also offers printers made specifically for kiosk compatibility, which will help expand HID’s presence in several verticals.
“Incorporating Evolis into HID’s Secure Issuance business would reassert our expansion and commitment to leading the desktop printer space,” said Craig Sandness, SVP and Head of Secure Issuance, HID Global. “Thanks to Evolis’ strong knowledge of the market, as well as its highly complementary product offering, we look forward to enhancing our offerings to meet a growing population of customers across industries and locations.”
The intent is for Evolis to become part of HID’s Secure Issuance Business Area, led by Craig Sandness, with Evolis operating as its own Business Unit within Secure Issuance. Evolis would also benefit from HID’s sales and other global functions to support its offering, HID Global said in a statement.
“Since 1999, our ambition has been to be and continue to be the global leader in decentralized printing of personalized cards,” said Emmanuel Picot, Co-Founder and President, Evolis. “Together, we look forward to creating even more value for our customers, combining our expertise and know-how to create new development opportunities. This would be a big step forward for Evolis and we are very excited at the prospect of joining HID with the ambition of being stronger together.”
About HID
HID powers the trusted identities of the world’s people, places and things. We make it possible for people to transact safely, work productively and travel freely. Our trusted identity solutions give people convenient access to physical and digital places and connect things that can be identified, verified and tracked digitally.
Millions of people around the world use HID products and services to navigate their everyday lives, and billions of things are connected through HID technology. We work with governments, educational institutions, hospitals, financial institutions, industrial businesses and some of the most innovative companies on the planet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, HID has over 4,500 employees worldwide and operates international offices that support more than 100 countries. HID is an ASSA ABLOY Group brand. For more information, visit www.hidglobal.com.
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