LUXEMBOURG-French smart-card company Gemplus International S.A. announced a change in its organizational structure, as well as a new head of its U.S. and Canadian operations.
Gemplus said Ernie Berger, a former First USA executive, will serve as the new president of its North American business. The company said the move underscores the increasing opportunities for smart cards within the U.S. and Canadian marketplaces.
“I look forward to leading Gemplus to realize its full potential in the critical and fast-paced North American marketplace,” Berger said. “There are a number of exciting opportunities for smart cards in North America, driven in part by U.S. government security policies, as well as the need for greater flexibility and convenience in wireless telecommunications and payment. As the industry leader, Gemplus has a strong reputation for innovation and customer service, and I believe it is only a matter of time before the North American market will realize the potential this technology and Gemplus have to offer.”
Indeed, Gemplus covers a wide range of smart-card opportunities in the United States. The company said it has smart card deals with four nationwide U.S. wireless carriers, as well as agreements with Boeing Corp. Denver Health and Target Corp. Further, Gemplus said it is working with the government’s General Services Administration for its new $1.5 billion Smart Access Card program, as well as the Department of Defense’s Common Access Card program.
Under its new organizational structure, Gemplus said it will refocus on three key segments: telecommunications, financial services, and identification and security. The company said its former Financial and Security Services Business Unit will be divided into two distinct entities: the Financial Services Business Unit, comprising banking, retail, transport and conventional cards; and the ID & Security Business Unit, comprising ID, security and smart-card interfaces. The company also announced Remi Calvet, a former Philip Morris executive, will join as its new vice president of corporate communications.
