Nanopierce Technologies (NPCT)

[GeoffKrone]

Exypnotech takes delivery of Delvotec machine, hires veteran Production Manager Ronald Krippendorf

ExypnoTech Gmbh Hires Production Manager for Smart Inlay Production in Rudolstadt; Final Acceptance of Production System At F&K Delvotech

22 Jul 2002, 08:02am ET
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RUDOLSTADT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 22, 2002--ExypnoTech GmbH, a subsidiary of NanoPierce Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:NPCT), announced today the appointment of Dipl.-Ing. Ronald Krippendorf, effective today, as the Production Manager for the high-volume production of smart inlays in the new ExypnoTech production facility located in the IGZ (Innovations- und Grunderzentrum) Rudolstadt, Germany. Further, after completing a two week acceptance procedure, ExypnoTech today took delivery of its first high-speed production line for RFID smart inlays from F&K Delvotech.

Ronald Krippendorf holds an engineering diploma in precision mechanics with an emphasis on electronics and a diploma (Dipl.-Ing.) in specialized electrical engineering from the Carl Zeiss School of Engineering in Jena, Thuringia. Mr. Krippendorf has extensive experience in production engineering, including leading important programs at JENOPTIK, for laser material treatment and the installation and coordination of systems for material handling. As Supply Chain Manager for OMNIKEY AG, a leading German system integrator for smart card systems, Mr. Krippendorf was responsible for the production of smart card reader systems and achieved substantial quality improvements and cost reductions.

Bernhard Maier, Chief Operating Officer of ExypnoTech, stated: ''We feel very fortunate that we were able to hire Ronald Krippendorf for ExypnoTech. With his experience and career background he has excellent qualifications to manage our production facility in Rudolstadt. He is not only the perfect addition to the ExypnoTech team, he will be our basis for the planned future growth of a successful RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) component production facility.''

Ronald Krippendorf said: ''I am very excited about my new position. I see in ExypnoTech an enormous potential for becoming a major player in the RFID world for two key reasons. Firstly, the new WaferPierce(TM) technology will give an immediate technical and economic advantage for production of RFID components. Secondly, the management team convinced me, based on our initial discussions, of their professionalism and their extensive knowledge of the RFID market. I am convinced that we will make ExypnoTech a successful company.''

Extensive tests of the first production line for smart inlays have been carried out over the last few weeks on the premises of F&K Delvotech in Ottobrunn near Munich. These tests have been completed on schedule. The tests focused on inlays of 45 by 45 millimeters and 45 by 76 millimeters, which are regarded as the current industry standards, and with the I-Code chip from Philips Semiconductors. Over the next few weeks, additional RFID chips from Infineon and other suppliers will be tested and delivered to customers for trials. Additionally, production to fulfill initial customers' trial orders will begin.

To achieve this, the production line will initially be set-up at a NanoPierce Card Technologies location for approximately three months to ensure continued close cooperation with development staff. ''Once we have completed the immediate pending orders we will transfer the production line to Rudolstadt,'' explained Dr. Michael E. Wernle, CEO & President of ExypnoTech. ''Over the next few weeks we will be able to validate several additional new approaches for later use, including ultrasonic bonding (see NanoPierce Press Release of April 3rd), parallel to ramping up production. These developments will enhance the performance of the firm's existing technologies rather than replacing them. We are definitely very pleased to be moving now from development to large-scale production. It is a powerful additional motivation for the whole team.''

RFID inlays are used to produce smart labels, smart cards and other RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) products. RFID is currently employed for tracking and identifying luggage, shipping containers, express mail, rail cars, personal access, automated toll collection, article surveillance, library books and vehicle immobilizers, to name just a few applications. It is reported, for instance, that Texas Instruments has shipped more than 50 million RFID tags used in vehicle immobilizers and that Ford Motor Company uses smart tags embedded in the car keys.

Paul H. Metzinger, President and Chief Executive Officer of NanoPierce Technologies, Inc. said: ''RFID devices are seen as the next generation replacement for barcode labels. The market size of barcode applications is extremely large. For example, in 2001, 8 billion printed barcode labels were used in express delivery services and 6 billion used for airline baggage identification. We are targeting these and other high-volume market applications for our RFID inlays. We intend to gain a large market share of these high-volume, frequently replaced applications.''

About ExypnoTech GmbH

ExypnoTech GmbH is a 100% subsidiary of NanoPierce Technologies,
Inc., of Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., which is traded on the NASDAQ stock market (OTCBB:NPCT) as well as in Frankfurt and Hamburg (OTC:NPI). In addition to the 12 patents it owns, NanoPierce has numerous applications pending, others in preparation, and various other intellectual properties related to NanoPierce's proprietary NCS(TM) (NanoPierce Connection System). This advanced system is designed to provide significant improvement over conventional electrical and mechanical interconnection methods for high-density circuit boards, components, sockets, connectors, semiconductor packaging and electronic systems.
For more information about NanoPierce Technologies, Inc., log on
to the Company's website at http://www.nanopierce.com .

This announcement contains forward-looking statements about
NanoPierce Technologies, Inc., and its subsidiaries, that may involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors relating to the Company's operations could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements and are further detailed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov ). All forward-looking statements are based
on information available to NanoPierce Technologies, Inc., on the date hereof, and NanoPierce Technologies, Inc., assumes no obligation to update such statements.


CONTACT: NanoPierce Technologies, Inc., Denver
Paul. H. Metzinger, 303/592-1010
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
or
ExypnoTech GmbH, Rudolstadt, Germany
Bernhard Maier, + 49-8102-8961-40
Fax: + 49-8102-8961-41
or
Stock Enterprises
Investor Relations:
James Stock, 702/614-0003

KEYWORD: COLORADO GERMANY INTERNATIONAL EUROPE
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING NETWORKING
SOFTWARE MANAGEMENT CHANGES
SOURCE: NanoPierce Technologies, Inc.

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