STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 4, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- For some years now, Gunnebo (Stockholm:GUNN) has been engaged in the area of cash handling for banks and cash-in-transit companies. After intensive development, Gunnebo now unveils a patented, enclosed and high-security cash handling system for the retail trade: SafePay.
SafePay has an extensive patent protection and there is no other as complete system for cash handling on the market. Gunnebo has during about a year's time conducted an extensive development to create a system that satisfies the demand for improved security, preventing cash discrepancies, making cash handling more efficient, and permitting safe transport to the bank or cash-counting centre. In addition, the system must be able to cope with the in-store bank concept with its increased scope for recirculating notes and coins in the retailer's cash register.
The customer advantages with SafePay are foremost increased security, timesaving and a better work environment.
Greater security
- Protection against robbery and theft as all cash is protected, both in the cash register and under transportation. - Cash discrepancies are eliminated as the sealed system ensures that no cash is accessible to personnel or outside parties. - Automatic authenticity control as protection against counterfeit notes and coins. Time savings - The cash register can be started and checkout personnel can be changed without the need to reconcile the cash balance (automatically registered). - The cash balance need not be calculated at the end of each day (checked automatically). - SafePay can handle several currencies at the same time. Correct change is provided automatically. Improved work environment - Ergonomics and work environment for checkout personnel are significantly improved, especially due to lower risk for robberies. Problems related to nickel allergies are also eliminated. - The sealed cash protection system permits total flexibility as the cash register is only opened and closed when necessary and checkout personnel are rotated.
Considerable market potential
"We believe there is considerable market potential for SafePay, which we've developed in close co-operation with customers in Sweden, Denmark and Norway," said Bjarne Holmqvist, Gunnebo's President and CEO. "Their and our experience and know-how in the area of security has been particularly useful throughout the development process."
"According to our estimates, SafePay's market potential in the segments that will initially be our primary targets -- supermarkets, other retail stores and petrol stations in Europe -- adds up to around 1.0-1.5 million check-out desks that can be fitted with automated cash handling systems. We estimate that within five years, SafePay will be generating a turnover of some MSEK 400-500," concluded Bjarne Holmqvist.
Strong patent
"The SafePay concept is well protected by patents registered in the EU, the USA and Canada. These patents were included in the acquisition of a small development company Cash and Change Control Sweden AB. On the production side, we've decided to engage the most prominent companies in the sector, namely HGL in Flen and Partnertech in Atvidaberg, both of which are in Sweden," said Torbjorn Browall, President of Gunnebo Physical Security.
"SafePay is being launched in November 2002 and we expect to have the first systems installed during the second quarter of 2003," he added.
The total cost of developing SafePay will amount to some MSEK 25, including total internal and external costs, as well as investments in the tools.
GUNNEBO AB (publ) Information
For further information, please contact:
Bjarne Holmqvist, President and CEO Gunnebo AB: +46-31-83 68 00 or +46- 708-40 03 70 or Torbjorn Browall, President Gunnebo Physical Security: +46-31-749 90 50 or +46-705-92 56 04 or Gunnar Konkell, Vice President SafePay: +46-31-727 79 46 or +46-709-27 79 46 or Janerik Dimming, Director of Information: +46-31-83 68 03, or 46-705-83 68 03 or e-mail: janerik.dimming@gunnebo.se www.gunnebo.se
Gunnebo is today an internationally fast-growing security group with 106 companies located in 32 countries. The Group has sales to a further hun dred markets via agents and distributors. Annual turnover amounts to some MEUR 790. Gunnebo's security products mainly include fire and burglar resistant safes, security products for banks and cash handling, electronic security systems, fire protection, entrance control and access control, alarm centres, and indoor and outdoor perimeter protection. Gunnebo has at its disposal four of the world's leading brand names in security: Chubb Safes, Fichet-Bauche, Rosengrens, and Garny.
SafePay -- a technical description of a high-security protection solution for retail cash handling systems.
Security Group Gunnebo has developed a completely sealed and highly se cure cash handling solution for retail cash handling systems. The product, which has been developed in close collaboration with the retail trade, is the result of a MSEK 25 investment. In 2001, Gunnebo acquired "Cash Change Control Sweden AB," an acquisi tion that included patent in the EU, USA and Canada. SafePay consists of separate coin and note recycling system. The note recycler can also be equipped with intelligent deposit unit which greatly increases capacity and note dyeing system for more secure transportation.
The note unit has the capacity to receive and authenticate or disburse one note per second, and can handle several different currencies at the same time. The unit can store up to 90 notes, after which it transfers the surplus to a sealed cartridge. If extra large quantities of notes are required, one or two additional deposit cartridges can be connected to give a capacity of 400 notes/cartridge. The note unit, which is built into the checkout desk, is 737 mm x 210 mm x 480 mm (HWD) in size.
The coin unit has a display showing the amount of money inserted and the balance once the transaction has been concluded. The coin unit can take up to 50 coins simultaneously. Two coins per second are handled and authenticated and five coins per second are paid out in change. The coin unit can take between four and eight different coins and store 250-400 coins of each denomination. It can also handle three different currencies at the same time. The coin unit, which is publicly accessible at the checkout, is 920 mm x 190 mm x 445 mm (HWD) in size.
SafePay can be integrated with ease into most existing electronic cash systems and requires only a few hours at each checkout to install.
GUNNEBO AB (publ) Information
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