RFID is continuing to enjoy sizable growth, adding new applications to its already strong positions in retail and other key markets. There has been some consolidation in the industry, as leading companies add to their positions.

HID Global made one of these moves, acquiring Bethlehem, PA-based Vizinex RFID in May 2022. With this acquisition, HID Global strengthened its position in a number of important segments, including healthcare/medical, manufacturing, oil & gas, and data centers, while adding up PCBA technology to its portfolio as well as US manufacturing capabilities.

“Bringing Vizinex into the HID family strengthens our position in the RFID market, especially in North America,” said Björn Lidefelt, EVP and head of HID Global, in announcing the acquisition. “This strategic acquisition exemplifies our commitment to extending our leadership in the RFID portfolio by providing a comprehensive suite of technology and services to customers across key markets.”

A subsidiary of ASSA ABLOY, HID (Hughes Identification Device) was formed in 1991 as a subsidiary of Hughes Aircraft to develop RFID technologies. The company gained exclusive rights to sell physical access technologies and expanded into other access solutions.

HID works with governments, educational institutions, hospitals, financial institutions, industrial businesses and some of the most innovative companies on the planet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, HID Global has over 4,500 employees worldwide and operates international offices that support more than 100 countries.

Marc Bielmann, SVP and head of identification technologies, HID Global, noted that HID has expanded globally from a small company that sold cards and readers to one of the largest and widely known identity solutions company.

“HID Global is a leader in RFID smart component suppliers globally,” said Bielmann. “It enables vertical solutions by cloud software and other services, including location services, condition monitoring, trusted tag services, event ticketing management and textile services.

“Today, HID Global powers the trusted identities of the world’s people, places and things,” Bielmann added. “The company makes it possible for people to transact safely, work productively and travel freely. HID’s 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.”

Bielmann said that the addition of Vizinex RFID fits perfectly with HID Global’s plans for expansion.

“HID Global envisions expanding its portfolio of high-performance passive RFID tags globally,” Bielmann said. “This strategic acquisition shows HID’s commitment to extending market presence and leadership in RFID portfolio by providing more comprehensive suite of technology and services to customers. The acquisition enhances the existing portfolio of asset tracking tags by including an RFID product platform based on printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) technology to increase its presence in key vertical markets, including healthcare/ medical, manufacturing, oil & gas, data centers and others.”

Bielmann observed that Vizinex provides high-quality standard and custom tags that help create new efficiencies, save money, all while improving tracking, security and authentication.

“Vizinex’s expertise especially lies in delivering tailor-made RFID tags that are completely integrated into and compatible with different product designs,” Bielmann pointed out. “The applications can be tailored to suit critical attributes such as shape, dimension, frequency, and environmental tolerance (tolerant to, for example, repeated exposure to adverse temperatures).”

All in all, adding Vizinex RFID’s capabilities to HID Global offers HID Global a stronger presence in the global RFID business.

“This strategic acquisition provides unique synergies between the two companies leading to an increase in skills, talent, resources and technologies,” said Bielmann. “Vizinex brings strong RFID product portfolio solutions that strengthen HID Global’s position in the RFID market. The acquisition increases the relevance of HID as a key manufacturing player for smart components globally.

“It also strengthens HID’s Identification Technologies presence, including a US-based manufacturing site that can be of advantage in liaison for governmental projects,” added Bielmann. “Now HID will be able to own the PCB production technology with rapid prototyping capabilities and expand into key vertical markets. This will help with the increase in production of RFID products & solutions and optimize operations.”