Mobile RFID Asset Solutions: TrenStar and Matrics Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Standard Solutions to Select Industries

CLEVELAND – NA 2004 – March 29 – TrenStar Inc. and Matrics Inc. are partnering to deliver the first standard, UHF Radio Frequency Identification-enabled (RFID-enabled) mobile asset solutions to select industries.

TrenStar’s “pay-per-use” mobile asset management business model that combines RFID and asset tracking technologies with outsourced logistics services will now feature Matrics’ UHF Passive RFID technology in food, chemical and other selected industries where large numbers of assets are moving rapidly through global supply chains. Mobile assets are broadly used in many industries to transport raw materials, work-in-progress and finished goods.

The combined solution includes RFID tags, handheld and vehicle-mounted readers, and antennae arrays designed specifically to support the unique business processes of the targeted industries. David Adams, TrenStar corporate strategy senior vice president, said that clients can expect improved efficiency of mobile asset management, reduced losses of both assets and contents and reduced operating costs.

“We’ve created an industry standard solution for managing mobile assets,” said Adams. “Our joint solution combines the right mobile assets with the right RFID infrastructure with the right technology layer for specific industries, therefore we offer them dramatically improved supply chain performance.”

“Passive UHF RFID technology is reliable and economical, and it meets the demanding requirements of industries like chemical and food,” said Girish Rishi, Matrics senior vice president, marketing. “Now, TrenStar and Matrics are offering RFID capability with world-class mobile asset technology. Our joint customers will be delighted with the operational efficiencies they will gain from our industry-focused solutions.”

The partnership expands upon a prior relationship between Matrics and TrenStar’s Global Container Management L.L.C. (GCM) unit. GCM has delivered a complete mobile asset management solution – containers, services and technology – to Kraft Foods.

About TrenStar: TrenStar’s supply chain technology and services heritage has evolved into a pioneering RFID-enabled, “pay-per-use” model of mobile asset management designed to reduce transportation and operating costs for companies invested in containers that move raw materials, work-in-progress and finished goods through the supply chain. TrenStar’s three-part asset management, logistics services and supply chain technology solution, integrating RFID and container tracking software, is offered to qualified clients for no up front cost. This solution is intended to benefit multiple companies in an asset-intensive industry participating in TrenStar’s distinctive asset pooling operations.

TrenStar and its affiliates focus on the brewing, food & beverage, chemical, air cargo, automotive, healthcare, retail and other asset-intensive industries. Scottish Courage Breweries, Carlsberg UK , Kraft, Goodyear, Burberry, and Prada Stores use TrenStar’s products and services. Clients of TrenStar’s affiliates include Ford, Toyota, ExxonMobil, DaimlerChrysler and Dow Chemical. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado and recognized as one of the top Denver-area software developers, TrenStar has offices in the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa. TrenStar is privately held, and investors include the venture arm of The Carlyle Group.

About Matrics: Matrics is a global leader in the design and manufacture of EPC -compliant RFID systems. Matrics along with its partnership network provides RFID solutions to many of the Fortune 1000 companies, government, as well as international businesses. Current customers include International Paper and McCarran Airport . For more information, visit Matrics on the web at www.matrics.com

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