Astro-Med Opens New Vertical Market Opportunities with Marine Immersion Label Certification
Kiaro! D Printer Achieves Key Global Standard for Labeling of Chemical Products and Other Hazardous Goods for Marine Transport
Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT), a leader in data visualization technology, today announced that its Kiaro! D color inkjet label printer has attained International Maritime Dangerous Goods BS 5609 certification, a key global standard for labeling of chemical products and other hazardous goods for marine transport.
“Achieving this important certification further demonstrates the quality of our Kiaro! D, and opens new vertical market opportunities for our high-durability products,” said Gregory A. Woods, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. “We developed the Kiaro! D line in response to customer need for rugged, high-quality color labels capable of withstanding harsh conditions. We look forward to expanding our customer base to include customers in markets such as chemicals, cleaning products and perfumes where this certification is critical for distribution.”
BS 5609 certification is part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). By June 1, 2015, all U.S. manufacturers of chemical products must be in compliance with the BS 5609 standard when their labels are used on hazardous chemical containers transported by sea.
The GHS labeling standard requires visual, color-coded hazard warnings as part of its aim to make chemical hazard warnings universally understood. The use of the same standard symbols (pictograms) and color codes on chemical labels around the world ensures that workers who handle chemicals during production, transport, or at the point of use will share the same recognition and understanding of the GHS hazard warning system.
To determine whether they would remain adhered and readable, the Kiaro! D labels and pigment-based inks underwent a series of independent tests including immersion in an estuary off of the British coast for three months, sand abrasion, exposure to artificial salt spray and sunlight, and prolonged exposure at temperatures of 32° and 140 °F. Smithers Pira, which performed the certification testing, concluded that both the black and the red inks of the Kiaro! D remained colorfast throughout the test.
About Astro-Med, Inc.
Astro-Med, Inc. is a global leader in data visualization technology that delivers accuracy, efficiency, speed and performance across a range of end markets. The Company’s products include color label printers and consumables sold under the QuickLabel Systems brand, ruggedized printers and networking products for aerospace and defense applications as well as test & measurement products sold under the Astro-Med brand. Astro-Med, Inc. is a member of the Russell Microcap® Index. Additional information is available by visiting www.Astro-MedInc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Information included in this news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, but rather reflect Astro-Med’s current expectations concerning future events and results. These statements may include the use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “likely,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including those concerning new vertical market opportunities and expanding the Company’s customer base, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control, which may cause its actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and factors include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 and subsequent filings Astro-Med makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The reader is cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this news release.
Source: Astro-Med, Inc.
Sharon Merrill Associates, Inc.
Scott Solomon, 617-542-5300
ALOT@investorrelations.com