Thales to sell identity management business to Imprimerie Nationale Group
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) and the Imprimerie Nationale Group have signed today a definitive agreement with respect to the sale of Thales's identity management business.
For Thales, the agreement with the Imprimerie Nationale Group, a world leader in secure identity solutions with customers in 68 countries, offers the best development potential for the identity management business and its staff.
This business designs, develops and deploys identity management solutions encompassing the collection of biographic data from citizens, biometric enrolment, management of identity systems, including databases, production and personalisation of secure documents, identity control systems and user training. It employs 80 people, all based in France. The business generated sales of 50 million euros in 2016, and is consolidated as part of Thales's Defence & Security operating segment.
The agreement is subject to government and regulatory approval and the customary closing procedures. The operation is expected to close before the end of the first half of 2017.
"This sale will help us to optimise our portfolio and let us focus on the businesses that represent the best fit with our development strategy. We chose to sell this business to the Imprimerie Nationale Group because this is the best opportunity to leverage the expertise and advanced technologies developed by the Group in this area,"
said Philippe Keryer, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Research and Technologies.
Didier Trutt, President and CEO of the Imprimerie Nationale Group stated: "This acquisition is a welcome opportunity to consolidate the Imprimerie Nationale Group's leadership as the preferred provider of biometric identity and security solutions for States and citizens in France and internationally. It strengthens our position as a key player in the identity and security market and now enables us to propose a comprehensive offering of components, products, digital services and systems to States and citizens."
The Imprimerie Nationale Group is a global leader in secure identity solutions. In a mobile and digital world where data security has become the major issue, the Imprimerie Nationale Group offers States, governments and businesses trusted solutions including added value electronic components for banking, identity solutions including electronic components, cutting-edge secure credentials and safe and reliable interoperable systems, but also innovative and efficient digital services, and secure solutions for complex printings and workflows.
Real engineering company, the Imprimerie Nationale Group is specialized in the integration of electronic and biometrics in identity documents and in polycarbonate cards. Thanks to its innovative new products and its strengthened security, the Imprimerie Nationale Group has become a worldwide leader with major customers in over 68 countries.
Based in Paris, the Imprimerie Nationale Group has two production centers and employs more than 800 employees, of which over a third is dedicated to technology development.