HID Strengthens Card and Passport Personalization Portfolio with IXLA Acquisition

HID Global has announced its acquisition of IXLA, a leader in advanced laser and color personalization systems, as part of its ongoing strategy to expand its card and passport personalization capabilities. This development strengthens HID’s offerings, particularly in European markets and emerging economies, while reinforcing its presence in the government and financial institution sectors. The move is expected to enhance HID’s ability to provide secure and efficient document personalization solutions across a variety of industries.

Björn Lidefelt, EVP and Head of HID, highlighted the significance of the acquisition, stating that welcoming IXLA into the HID family aligns with their commitment to delivering advanced personalization technologies. He emphasized that IXLA’s expertise will play a crucial role in HID’s geographic expansion and further solidify its relevance in critical markets. The acquisition is a testament to HID’s dedication to meeting customer needs with innovative and secure solutions for document personalization.

IXLA, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Romano Canavese, Italy, specializes in designing, developing, and implementing cutting-edge personalization systems. Its offerings focus on three primary categories: card printers, passport printers, and application software. The company is renowned for its desktop and mid-range laser solutions designed for secure personalization of various government-issued credentials, including identification cards, driver’s licenses, and health cards. Additionally, its low- to mid-volume passport printers, equipped with laser and inkjet-based color personalization technology, offer precise and reliable solutions for personalizing passports. IXLA’s machine management software ensures secure and efficient personalization processes, safeguarding sensitive data and adhering to stringent security standards.

The IXLA portfolio includes specialized laser and inkjet personalization systems tailored for government and payment applications. These systems address diverse needs such as printing high-security government cards, police and military IDs, and driver’s licenses, while also supporting flexible issuance options. IXLA’s solutions are designed to meet the rigorous demands of the secure issuance industry, ensuring reliability and adaptability for various use cases.

For HID, this acquisition represents a significant step forward in enhancing its Secure Issuance Business Area. The addition of IXLA complements HID’s existing capabilities, which were previously bolstered by its 2015 acquisition of IAI Industrial Systems B.V. Together, these two entities will benefit from HID’s global sales infrastructure, operational support, and resources, further strengthening their combined ability to provide innovative solutions for secure document issuance. Craig Sandness, SVP and Head of Secure Issuance at HID, expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting that it will increase HID’s relevance in the government and financial sectors while also enabling better service to emerging markets worldwide.

From IXLA’s perspective, the partnership with HID offers an exciting opportunity to expand its reach and continue innovating in the secure personalization space. Ettore Ghirlanda, CEO of IXLA, reflected on the company’s two-decade history of designing, manufacturing, and selling advanced personalization systems. He expressed enthusiasm about combining forces with HID, which he believes will enable IXLA to meet the growing demands of its customers and scale its operations more effectively.

The acquisition is poised to bring several benefits to both companies and their customers. HID will leverage IXLA’s specialized expertise and technology to enhance its personalization portfolio, while IXLA will benefit from HID’s extensive global network and operational expertise. Together, they aim to deliver secure, efficient, and customizable solutions for document personalization, addressing the evolving needs of industries worldwide.

This collaboration highlights HID’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions. By integrating IXLA’s advanced laser and inkjet personalization systems, HID is better equipped to address the challenges and opportunities in the secure issuance market. The acquisition also underscores both companies’ shared vision of delivering high-quality, reliable, and secure document personalization technologies to a global audience, paving the way for future growth and innovation in the industry.