North leads world with biometrics
Nov 14 2007 by Peter McCusker, The Journal
A COMPANY at the forefront of fingerprint reading security says it is on the way to making the North-East a global centre for the technology.
Newcastle-based UK Biometrics Ltd recently revealed plans to allocate a new UK franchise every month for the next 18 months as it unveiled proposals to create a £100m turnover business by 2010.
Matthew James started UK Biometrics in the year 2000, in a small office with little capital, a telephone and a laptop.
By 2004 he had funded growth from profit, begun to recruit his key management team and formed UK Biometrics Ltd, and recently the Killingworth firm has signed major overseas deals.
It is an example of a North-East company which is leading the way in home and overseas markets. The Journal has launched a drive to highlight the success of export companies after it emerged that just 5% of companies in the region export on a regular basis.
Branded Made in the North-East, we will bring readers reports on successful exporters and offer advice on how to sell abroad to try to strengthen an economy already suffering because of poor transport links to the rest of this country.
Matthew James said: “We are a fast-expanding business and increasingly coming to be noticed on the global stage.
“Our role model is Sage, a North-East-grown company committed to remaining in the North- East.
“Creating 20 jobs in the region is good news but we plan more than the creation of jobs. We want to start careers in this exciting, embryonic industry.
“Our plan is to make the North-East a global hotspot in the biometric industry.”
Uk Biometrics directors recently returned from the 10th world conference on biometrics, the name for the fingerprint technology, with words of praise ringing in their ears.
Maxine Most of Acuity Market Intelligence USA said: “If everyone had followed UK Biometrics’ approach, the biometrics industry would be five years further ahead than it is today.”
Valerie Valencia of Authenti-Corp USA stated: “UK Biometrics is an exciting, cutting-edge company which is setting the industry pace.”
UK Biometrics Ltd has entered into a three- way partnership with long-term Korean partner Keico Hightech Inc, manufacturers of high- quality security terminals, and Lumidigm Inc, the New Mexico-based worldwide patent holder of multi-spectral imaging for use in biometrics.
The partnership will create 20 jobs in the North- East and a further 25 throughout the UK.
UK Biometrics has allocated 10 of its 28 franchise regions; Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Swindon, NW London, SW London, Swansea and Bournemouth. The remaining 18 franchises will be allocated over the coming 18 months.
Franchise regions have the capacity to each support between three and five sales people. Within two years of launch, each franchise is projected to turn over £3m per annum, says the company.
