Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

2 July 2023

2 min read

A Good Year for South Africa’s Producers

In its annual report for 2022-23, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has provided details of the financial performance of its minting and banknote printing subsidiaries South African Mint (SAM) and South African Bank Note (SABN).

Central Banks Companies

Astrid Mitchell

2 July 2023

3 min read

Indian Banknote Firm Eyes Global Growth

‘Make in India’, the long-running government-sponsored initiative to ‘on-shore’ production and reduce imports, is now resulting in Indian entities becoming global providers.

Banknotes Companies

Astrid Mitchell

2 July 2023

4 min read

Armaguard/Prosegur Merger Goes Ahead

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has finally approved the merger of Australia’s two largest cash in transit companies – Linfox Armaguard and Prosegur Australia. The merger will create a single cash logistics provider, operating under the Armaguard name, with an estimated market share of more than 90%.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2023

2 min read

New Partnership to Drive New Solutions for OVD Foil Application

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (KBBNS) and GIETZ have announced a new strategic partnership in the domain of OVD application for banknotes.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2023

2 min read

Authentix Begins Production of CDI2 Compliant Detectors for Fed

Authentix has announced that it is now in commercial production of the world’s first CDI2 compliant banknote detectors including GemVision™, a CDI2 compliant fitness solution for the determination of banknote quality.

Companies Technology

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2023

2 min read

2022: Royal Canadian Mint Meets Expectations

The Royal Canadian Mint has published its results for 2022, stating that, whilst its financial performance was below 2021 levels, this was expected given the exceptional performance seen in 2021, and planned operational maintenance in 2022. The Mint still exceeded its financial goals for 2022, as set out in the Corporate Plan.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2023

4 min read

IN Groupe Acquires Portals’ Italian Security Business

IN Groupe, global specialist in identities and digital services and owner of the OVD developer SURYS, has announced that it has signed an agreement with Portals, the UK supplier of security features and, until recently, banknote paper, for the sale of its security components business. Based in Bollate in Italy, the business was acquired by Portals from Fedrigoni in 2021.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2023

3 min read

Glory Results Impaired by Post COVID Supply and Cost Issues

Glory – the Japanese developer of cash handling, management and automation systems for the financial, retail, vending, transportation and gaming sectors – saw sales recover in 2022-23.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

25 May 2023

3 min read

People in the News

Federal Reserve Financial Services and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco have appointed Steve Son as Senior Vice President and Head of FedCash Services Business Solutions and Support, a position previously held by Kathleen Young before she was promoted to Chief of FedCash Services.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

24 May 2023

4 min read

Koenig & Bauer Invests in the Green Future of Currency

As noted in the April issue of Currency News™, in which we covered Koenig & Bauer’s annual results for 2022, Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (KBBNS) is demonstrating its commitment to the future of currency through a range of new investments in processes, technologies and services.

Companies Sustainability Technology

Astrid Mitchell

24 May 2023

3 min read

Unfit Banknotes Transformed in Brazil

In 2020 Fedrigoni sold its Brazilian paper mill and Blendpaper / BP Security were created. The mill was originally founded in 1889 as Papel de Salto but was taken over by ArjoMari/Papel Simão in 1976, by Arjowiggins in 1997, and finally by Fedrigoni in 2015.

Companies Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

26 April 2023

2 min read

New Name for Agfa Offset as Sale Completed

Private equity group Aurelius has announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Agfa Offset Solutions from the Agfa-Gevaert Group for €92 million.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

26 April 2023

3 min read

BEP Ramps up for New Catalyst Series

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s outgoing Director, Len Olijar called 2022 an exciting year on many fronts in his introduction to the agency’s Annual Report, citing progress in a number of areas, including the goal of upgrading its facilities.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

25 April 2023

2 min read

Koenig & Bauer Exceeds Forecast

Koenig & Bauer has reported that, based on its preliminary and as yet unaudited figures, group EBIT for 2022 has exceeded its own forecast, as well as market expectations. This was in spite of a challenging environment characterised by supply chain constraints and an associated increase in material and energy costs, and a loss in one of its main divisions – the Digital and Webfed segment.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

25 April 2023

3 min read

De La Rue Impacted by Low Banknote Demand

De La Rue has recently provided a trading update, which indicates both a small (mid-single digit percentage) drop in profitability below market expectations (of £30-33 million) for 2022/23 but an uncertain outlook for 2023/24, with a potentially sharp reduction in profits. The share price fell 20% on the news.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

23 April 2023

3 min read

Record Results Even in a Challenging Year for G+D

Giesecke+Devrient has described 2022 as having a challenging business environment but one in which it has achieved strong results. The challenges have included rising energy, raw material and logistic costs, worldwide inflation, supply chain challenges, particularly for chips, and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

18 April 2023

4 min read

Crane NXT Goes for Growth as a Newly Independent Company

Crane NXT has announced the completion of its separation from Crane Co., the US-based industrial products and processes conglomerate, and its launch as an independent, publicly traded company.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

2 April 2023

3 min read

Komori’s Environmental Journey and Commitment

Komori Corporation is 100 years old this year and has recently published its annual integrated report for 2022 covering value creation, business strategies, sustainability and its corporate data.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

2 April 2023

2 min read

New Expert Counterfeit Service for Currency

Renowned counterfeit expert Kerre Corbin has set up Kerrency Ltd – a new independent consultancy for the banknote industry to provide guidance and training to central banks, police agencies, commercial banks and security industry companies on counterfeiting issues.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

2 April 2023

2 min read

Voith’s Papermaking for Life

Voith Group includes Voith Paper, which is well known in the banknote paper making world as the manufacturer of paper machines. In its 2022 Sustainability Report it gives details of its ‘Papermaking for Life’ programme designed to contribute to more sustainable paper production.

Companies