ASSA ABLOY Identification Technology Group (ITG) Establishes Business Unit in Latin America

Irvine, CA (October 4, 2002) -  ASSA ABLOY ITG announces the formation a new operational business unit called ASSA ABLOY Identification Technology Group, Latin America.  

ASSA ABLOY ITG, Latin America will build on the success that HID has experienced in the marketplace selling directly to customers, as well as Indala’s success selling its product line through distribution.  The new organization will reduce shipping times and increase convenience to ITG’s Latin American customers by stocking products, taking orders, and providing full card programming.  Technical support and customer care will also be localized.

The creation of the Latin American business unit is a result of ASSA ABLOY ITG’s continued commitment to its international customers.  ITG has expanded its’ international sales team with members who have diverse language skills and considerable market experience.  Spanish, Portuguese and English will be spoken at the center.  In addition to localized service, Latin American customers will also benefit from ITG’s translated web site, technical documents, and product brochures, which are available in Spanish and Portuguese, in addition to six other languages.

The new business unit will consist of CODAS Electronica S.A., headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a regional office in Mexico City.  Future plans include establishing offices in Brazil and Uruguay.  The business unit reports to Joe Grillo, president and CEO of ASSA ABLOY ITG, located in Irvine, Calif.  

The management team includes Luis Cosentino, managing director, and Daniel Schapira, CFO and operations director.  Both men co-founded and have owned CODAS Electrónica S.A. since 1985.  Each earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1981. In addition, Humberto De la Vega has been named director of business development.

“Our goal is to continue to increase the business for ITG in Latin America and the Caribbean, not only with regard to HID and Indala core products, but also in new technologies such as iCLASS,” said Mr. Cosentino. 

Mr. Shapira said that in addition to establishing a strong presence for both the HID and Indala brands within all the countries in his territory, he will oversee the manufacturing of cards and readers locally.

Prior to the acquisition, Mr. De la Vega was HID’s Latin America/Caribbean sales manager, covering Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean.  Humberto joined HID from Recognition Systems, where he was Latin America Sales Manager.  With 14 years of experience in the security industry, he is fluent in three languages (Spanish, Portuguese and English) and holds a degree in Cybernetics Engineering from La Salle University in Mexico City.