Tokyo, Japan, March 24, 2014 – SATO, a leader in barcode printing, labeling, and EPC/RFID solutions, announced today the establishment of SATO Healthcare Co., Ltd., a new business formed with the aim of becoming a “one-stop” company for hospitals, medical organizations and healthcare businesses seeking to improve patient safety and realize peace of mind through the use of auto-identification technology solutions. SATO Healthcare will begin operations on April 1, 2014.

Building on the expertise accumulated over SATO Group’s years of involvement in the healthcare industry, SATO Healthcare aims to become the leader in Patient Safety Solutions (PSS). Currently providing solutions utilizing auto-ID technologies such as IC tags and barcodes to reduce medical errors and track medical items such as blood bags, the establishment of SATO Healthcare will expand SATO Group’s offering to the global healthcare industry even further with comprehensive solutions of printers, labels, software, and maintenance services designed specifically to meet the needs of healthcare industry professionals and their patients.

SATO Healthcare will also collaborate with SATO Vicinity, another recent addition to the SATO family, and a pioneer in RFID technology, well-recognized for its unique PJM (Phase Jitter Modulation) radio frequency data transmission technology. Cooperation between these two companies will enable SATO to create new value for its customers through the use of cutting edge technology.

“Demand for higher standards in healthcare is sure to increase as societies around the globe continue to change,” commented Hiroyuki Konuma, President of SATO Healthcare. “This could be widespread healthcare concerns in relation to aging populations in developed countries, or heightened healthcare expectations from people in emerging economies enjoying increased incomes. Whatever the situation, with the establishment of SATO Healthcare and the potential it has for synergies with SATO Vicinity, SATO Group is showing its strong commitment to support organizations and businesses in the healthcare industry across the world. It is our sincere hope that SATO Healthcare will make a significant contribution to increasing standards of safety, accuracy and peace of mind in the global healthcare industry.”