IIMAK and InkSure sign exclusive distribution agreement

InkSure Technologies, a provider of covert machine-readable authentication solutions, and IIMAK (International Imaging Materials), manufacturer of thermal transfer ribbons, have announced that they have entered into an exclusive international authentication distribution agreement for the joint development and marketing of TrackSure covert barcode solutions for the prevention of product diversion.

The agreement provides that IIMAK will be InkSure’s exclusive thermal transfer ribbon (TTR) supplier, and InkSure will be IIMAK’s exclusive supplier of security taggants, where TTR technology is used for the printing of covert barcodes.  Both companies agree to market the InkSure-encoded IIMAK TTR for the printing of covert barcodes directly and through their respective distribution channels. 

‘We are please to enter into this agreement with InkSure.  We feel that this partnership and the development of TrackSure will be a huge asset to IIMAK’s TTR security offerings,’ commented Rick Wallace, senior VP of marketing for IIMAK. ‘Many of our existing customers are looking for a secure way to track products in order to prevent product diversion in which authentic products are diverted into channels and markets other than those intended by the manufacturer. TrackSure provides them with a strong tool to prevent this from happening. The TrackSure solution provides security in the form of covert barcodes that will not be detected by tools commonly used by gray marketers, such as black lights.  More importantly, these barcodes cannot be seen by the naked eye, even when authenticated by our proprietary reader. In addition, TrackSure utilizes existing barcode symbology for plug-in connectivity to our customers’ existing logistics and information systems.’

Don Taylor, InkSure’s VP of global marketing, said: ‘We’re dedicated to providing our customers with the most secure track and trace solutions that are also the easiest to implement.  With millions of thermal ribbon barcode printers already installed, the capability to implement TrackSure’s covert barcodes becomes relatively easy. And by working with IIMAK, we know our customers are receiving the highest quality and most secure TTR solution.’

IIMAK has also agreed to supply InkSure with color and invisible TTR incorporating InkSure security taggants for brand authentication, and the companies have agreed to work together to develop conductive ink TTR solutions for InkSure’s new SARcode chipless RFID technology.