Philips and Checkpoint form RFID partnership

Checkpoint Systems, a provider of RF-based product identification and shrink management solutions for retailers and consumer packaged goods manufacturers and Royal Philips Electronics, has announced a strategic alliance. The two companies will provide RFID-enabled tags and readers, combined with system integration services, to retailers and fast moving consumer products companies. The two companies are already working together on several projects in the European retail industry, including the Metro Group in Germany.
Within the scope of the agreement, Checkpoint Systems Europe will be building and integrating applications and solutions for the retail industry and its supply chain based on Philips HF and UHF RFID chip solutions including EPC. In addition to collaborating on tags and readers, the two companies will deliver system integration services that address the specific needs of retailers seeking to adopt RFID in their supply chains.
’Philips is forging this alliance because we believe Checkpoint is uniquely positioned in the retail sector,’ said Christophe Duverne, vice president marketing and sales for the Identification Business at Philips Semiconductors. ‘RFID brings tremendous opportunities for value creation, in particular to the retail sector and this partnership will focus on capturing these opportunities.’
’Checkpoint has recently deployed RFID solutions based on Philips RFID chips in more than 12 in-store and supply chain applications thus far in 2004. Our plans for additional turn-key and custom applications, to be launched throughout the year, will continue to take advantage of Philips significant research, development and manufacturing capabilities as a leader in the RFID industry,’ said Albert Roger, vice president and general manager RFID Checkpoint Systems Europe.
Both companies hope that the partnership will result in a significant lowering of the cost of RFID tags through advanced manufacturing techniques and processes.