Sharp and Mitsubishi Form Joint Company to Promote and Distribute Intermec Intellitag(R) RFID...

Business Editors/Technology Writers

EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2001

Sharp Corp. and Mitsubishi Corp. have formed a joint company to market and distribute Intermec Technologies Corp.'s Intellitag(R) RFID (radio frequency identification) technology in Japan.

Intermec Intellitag RFID systems -- tiny computer chips and miniature antennas often packaged together to be smaller and lighter than a postage stamp, and readers known as interrogators -- allow companies to keep track of goods and materials, often in real time. RFID systems use low-power wireless signals to read and update information on a "tagged" item or component, providing unparalleled levels of supply chain visibility from manufacture through post-sale asset tracking. The signals don't require line of sight or manual scanning, as do typical bar code scanning systems. As a result, Intellitag tags can be read as much as 40 times faster than conventional bar codes.

International companies such as Weyerhaeuser Co. and Georgia-Pacific Corp. have adopted the technology to track items as diverse as giant rolls of paper and the reusable plastic containers used to transport fruit.

"Intellitag can also be used in a broad range of industrial arenas, such as logistics, distribution and manufacturing," the companies said in announcing the venture. "This will lead to innovative solutions and services, such as SCM (supply chain management). This cutting-edge identification system is already expanding in the U.S. and is planned for introduction into Europe and China. To accelerate the development and popularization of Intellitag, Japan RF Co. will provide optimal solutions to customers in a wide range of industries in the Japanese market."

"Sharp has been vigorously developing business in the arena of systemized equipment, including point-of-sale systems for businesses, as well as presenting the extensive logistics industry with effective solutions," Sharp said as it announced the new company in Japan. "By moving forward with the collaboration with Mitsubishi to commercialize and to market Intellitag, Sharp will not only help users improve overall efficiency in logistics control, but also present them with new business opportunities."

Mitsubishi Corp., through its New Business Initiative Group, is promoting the expansion and improvement of logistics technology, and through the founding of this joint venture plans to further upgrade SCM and other logistic information control methods, Mitsubishi said.

Intellitag systems are designed to complement existing automatic data collection systems. Intellitag paper-thin RFID inserts can be embedded into conventional bar code labels. The systems read and write data from distances of up to five meters, yet do not require battery power. Intellitag's read/write capabilities mean information stored on the chip mechanism can be continually updated at any point within a distribution system.

Intellitag complies with the ANSI item management ANS 256-1999 standard, and Intermec is working closely with international standards organizations to develop worldwide RFID standards.

"RFID systems have promised great gains for years," said Intermec Vice President Winston Guillory. "Intellitag -- and in Japan with the help of Sharp and Mitsubishi -- clearly is delivering. Using Intellitag, suppliers throughout Japan can share the advantages of faster, more accurate information collection and transmission with all downstream trading partners."

About Intermec

Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and MobileLAN(R) wireless automated data collection, Intellitag(R) RFID (radio frequency identification) and mobile computing systems. The company's products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service.

To learn more about how companies can benefit from Intermec's supply chain technologies, contact Intermec Technologies Corp., 6001 36th Ave. West, P.O. Box 4280, Everett, WA 98203-9280 USA; telephone 425-348-2600 or 800-347-2636; facsimile 425-355-9551; or visit Intermec's web site at www.intermec.com. To learn more about UNOVA, visit www.unova.com.