Printronix Enters European RFID Printer Applicator Market

The SLPA8000r is an evolution of Printronix's SLPA7000r print-encode-and-apply system introduced in North America in June 2004.

04/05/07 Printronix Inc., the leading integrated supply-chain printing solutions manufacturer, introduced the SLPA8000r encode, print and apply system to European consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies. The new SLPA8000r is the first bar code printer applicator on the market with the technology to upgrade to radio frequency identification (RFID) labeling in the field, providing users with a risk-free investment path to RFID adoption. In addition, the new SLPA8000r offers the industry's highest-speed RFID encoding and printing, with the capacity of exceeding 100 cases per minute.

"Buoyed by successful RFID demonstrations and installations at marquee European-based companies, Printronix is meeting market demand to expand its RFID printing solutions portfolio and bring its reliable printer applicator technology to Europe," said James B. McWilson, senior vice president, worldwide sales. "CPG companies need the capability to encode, print and verify RFID and bar code labels at high speeds, and the SLPA8000r delivers by encoding, printing and applying tags in excess of 100 cases per minute."

The SLPA8000r is an evolution of Printronix's SLPA7000r print-encode-and-apply system introduced in North America in June 2004. Since then, Printronix has deployed more RFID printer applicators among Wal-Mart's top 100 suppliers than any other manufacturer and earned the top market share position in North America, according to CB GroupUSA.

To support the SLPA8000r launch, Printronix also has entered into technology alliances with local European partners to sell, install and service the SLPA8000r in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

New Printer Applicator Provides Migration Path to RFID Printing

Whether users require an automated application system or an in-line production printer applicator to integrate into their manufacturing process, the SLPA8000r will meet their needs. Its field upgradeability feature allows organizations to deploy a model that prints bar code labels now and upgrades easily to add RFID printing later.

The SLPA8000r is built on Printronix's MP2 Smart encoding technology; it is the industry's first platform designed specifically to EPCglobal Gen 2 encoding specifications and offers users broad-ranging functionality:

-- Offers predictable and reliable RFID implementation with its Gen 2-certified hardware
--  Interoperable with the widest range of Gen 2 tags while offering continued support of EPC Class 0, 0+, 1 and Philips UCode 1.19 protocols