Press release:
IDEX continues to develop its organisation and attracts fingerprint sensor industry experts
Oslo, Norway 24 February 2015: IDEX ASA, a world leader in fingerprint imaging and recognition technology, continues to develop its organisation globally to support commercialisation and rapid growth. IDEX has recently added several key positions, including two senior executives with distinguished track records from the fingerprint sensor industry. In addition, IDEX has completed a global reorganisation to increase customer focus and ensure commercial execution of the product roadmap.
Art Stewart has joined as Senior Vice President of Product Management for the IDEX group, located in the USA. Mr. Stewart has extensive biometric experience in fingerprint sensors from the leading companies in the sector, including more than 10 years with AuthenTec and two years at Synaptics. At both companies he has held several executive positions, most recently VP of the Biometrics Product Division at Synaptics. Mr. Stewart has broad product marketing experience that will support IDEX in bringing our new differentiated products to the mass market and create successful commercial roadmap strategies aligned with customer and market needs. He is a former Director of the FIDO Alliance and currently serves as a Director on the board of the Biometrics Institute.
Lunji Qiu has been appointed General Manager and Vice President of IDEX China. Dr. Qiu has nearly a decade of experience from the biometric fingerprint industry. He comes to IDEX from NEXT Biometrics, where he was General Manager and Vice President of NEXT China. Prior to that he held such position at AuthenTec since 2009. Dr. Qiu was GM and VP of Atrua China, another fingerprint authentication company. Dr Qiu has an excellent track record in setting up fingerprint sensor organisations in China, which is a key part of IDEX strategy to strongly support this significant and rapid growth market.
"I am very pleased to welcome Mr Stewart and Dr. Qiu to IDEX. They have very relevant domain experience and proven achievements in the fingerprint sensor industry. They join IDEX at the start of pivotal year for the company," said Dr. Hemant Mardia, CEO of IDEX. "I am confident they will both contribute greatly towards the commercialisation of IDEX in 2015 and beyond. We are proud of our ability to attract industry experts of this calibre, influence and reputation, and these commitments validate the significant potential for IDEX to become a leading vendor in this rapid growth market," he added.
IDEX is transforming into a global organisation to commercialise it's leading technology, and has effected changes at its operation at Oslo, Norway. Dr. Ralph W. Bernstein will leave his CTO position at the end of the first quarter 2015 as the centre of gravity of technology and development for IDEX is shifting to the US sites where IDEX can secure specialist skills rapidly. Dr. Bernstein has offered to continue to support IDEX as a consultant.
IDEX's CEO, Dr. Hemant Mardia stated "I am pleased that Dr. Bernstein continues working for IDEX in a new role contributing to our technology development and extending the company's intellectual property in key areas."
About IDEX
IDEX ASA specialises in fingerprint imaging and recognition technology. The company has a strong patent portfolio consisting of 25 patent families including more than 215 granted patents, as well as cross licenses with Apple. IDEX has a highly competitive product road map including swipe sensors, touch sensors with disruptive cost positions, and a unique in-glass solution. The company is currently commercializing the products.
IDEX's addressable market represents a multi-billion unit opportunity, centred on three core markets: Mobile, ID & Smart Cards and the Internet of Things. IDEX has seen a substantial increase in interest from global OEMs in the last quarters, and is positioned as of three independent players with the relevant IP to capture market share.
IDEX ASA (ticker IDEX) is a Norwegian public company listed at the Oslo Axess market place on the Oslo Børs (Oslo stock exchange). For more information, please visit www.idex.no or contact IDEX at mailbox@idex.no.