Altech to sell NamITech South Africa to Gemalto

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

“We have had a business relationship with Gemalto for over 15 years. We believe that this transaction provides the best future for the Namitech team and the best support to our customers”

Gemalto, the world leader in digital security, and Allied Technologies Limited today announced that they have entered into an agreement whereby Altech will sell its NamITech South Africa business to Gemalto. NamITech, with revenues of approximately ZAR 200Million (~€15Million), is a leading provider of secure cards and services in the Southern African area. Its Linbro facility notably provides secure banking personalization services to major banks in South Africa, employing approximately 350 people. Altech Card Solutions, Altech ISIS and Namitech West Africa (Nigeria) are not included in the transaction and remain part of Altech Group.

Commenting on the Transaction, Craig Venter, CEO of Altech Group, said “We have had a business relationship with Gemalto for over 15 years. We believe that this transaction provides the best future for the Namitech team and the best support to our customers”. Olivier Piou, CEO of Gemalto added “Africa is a region on the rise for us. This project will enable us to grow our service offering to Southern Africa customers, and contribute to the development of the industry in the area.”

The transaction, which is subject to approval from the South African Competition Commission, is expected to close in March 2009.

About Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the leader in digital security with pro forma 2007 annual revenues of over €1.6 billion, more than 85 offices in 40 countries and about 10,000 employees including 1,300 R&D engineers. In a world where the digital revolution is increasingly transforming our lives, Gemalto’s solutions are designed to make personal digital interactions more convenient, secure and enjoyable.

Gemalto provides end-to-end solutions for digital security, from the development of software applications, through the design and production of secure personal devices such as smart cards, SIMs, e-passports, and tokens to the deployment of managed services for its customers. More than a billion people worldwide use the company's products and services for telecommunications, financial services, e-government, identity management, multimedia content, digital rights management, IT security, mass transit and many other applications.

As the use of Gemalto’s software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the company is poised to thrive over the coming years. For more information, please visit www.gemalto.com

About Allied Technologies Limited (Altech)

Altech is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and is an investment holding company, involved in the telecommunications, multi-media and information technology industries, which employs over 4200 employees in South Africa and abroad.

As a leading South African multi-billion rand high-technology group, Altech is involved in the design, development, convergence, manufacture, installation and distribution of telecommunications equipment, multi-media systems, IT solutions, electronic components, cellular telephony and industrial electronic products. There is a strong focus on the convergence of these technologies and Altech is now also entrenched in the arena of secure technology solutions.

Strong partnerships with international principals ensure that Altech has ongoing access to the latest technologies worldwide, while the group’s own research and development programmes actively encourages and promotes internal technology advances.