RFID Private Equity Deals, M&A, and IPOs Will Increase

DALLAS (October 7,2004) -- By 2006, RFID will be an influence on more than a dozen M&A actions, according to Incucomm. The assessments were based on interviews and surveys of executives and a review of over 650 firms in retail, IT services, software, semiconductors, defense, pharmaceuticals, RFID and supply chain management. The report offers the most comprehensive, international look at RFID yet published.

DALLAS, TX (PRWEB) October 7,2004 - Of more than 650 candidate firms, the study found fewer than 20% had a potential role in EPC/retail type RFID. This imbalance of firms positioned to participate in the dominant form of RFID, is one factor in the M&A viewpoint. Another is the finding that the majority of active and potential RFID participants are private firms.

By 2006, EPC type RFID will dominate the volume of tags sold. According to Matthew Bowers, Incucomms Chief Development Officer, Because of new price-performance points, EPC strongly influences other markets, including older RFID markets such as access control."

Developments in RFID could reshape the semiconductor, IT services and enterprise software markets as well," Bowers said. The study outlines the nature of these strategic issues.

The study lists a handful of potential near term IPOs and recent M&A actions driven by RFID and other supply chain management factors. It provides details on more than 260 firms in the RFID ecosystem. The report lists over 100 firms potentially positioned for retail EPC/RFID, and lists international RFID firms. In each list, the report details the current type of corporate involvement, as well as whether each firm is private or public.

After considering dozens of retailers around the world, Incucomm's research predicts five or more top US retailers will implement RFID by 2008. The report provides a summary of retailers currently conducting or planning RFID pilots.

RFID is real; its happening now. If you enter 'RFID on Google, you get about as many hits as 'Wal-Mart" and more than 'middleware. But much of the buzz is based on flawed assumptions," said John Volpi, Incucomms, CTO. Pessimists who claim RFID is hype, and optimists who predict early widespread deployment are misstating important facts," he added.

The study is over 375 pages with more than 200 tables and graphs. It forecasts uptake of RFID tags and equipment. It provides market segmentation for RFID tag providers, for systems integrators, software, middleware, etc. In considering all types of RFID technology, including chipless," the report assesses viability of silicon tags over the long term. The study provides a survey of chipless techniques, and their ablity to match the needs of the retail supply chain.

In keeping with Incucomm practice, a brief synopsis and table of contents is available on Incucomm's website where the entire study may also be purchased. (http://www.incucomm.com)

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