Sato acquires DataLase

Sato and DataLase first worked together in October 2015 to form SpeciaLase to introduce DataLase’s technology in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, as reported here. Sato held a 33.3 percent share of DataLase prior to this acquisition.

The acquisition optimizes synergies from DataLase’s technology and Sato’s on-site commitment and global network to deliver financial savings, environmental benefits and enhanced marketing capabilities for end users. Application in total track and trace systems is expected to provide benefits for customers in numerous high-volume, fast-moving industries including manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage.

The DataLase technology enables high-speed, fast turnaround printing, suited for packaging and product customization and personalization. The technology allows printing of variable information to enable real-time marketing to maximize brand owner and consumer value. The system is inkless at the point of printing, so removing the need for consumables in the production environment at the point of fulfilment.

DataLase CEO Chris Wyres commented: ‘We are pleased to announce this evolution of our strategic partnership with Sato and firmly believe this will enable our revolutionary in-line digital printing solutions to be delivered to a global customer base.’

Sato president and CEO Kaz Matsuyama added: ‘DataLase is a transformative addition to the Sato Group and we will grow its game-changing technology into one of our core businesses to add holistic value for our customers.

‘Embracing new technologies to tag, track and link data to everything is key to developing innovative on-site solutions that enable the streamlined work sites of the future. This acquisition expands the Auto-ID options for our customers and we consider it absolutely essential to achieving our long-term business objectives.’