Smart Bits: Publicard Has Deal for Another Acquistion

Publicard Inc. said it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Amazing Smart Card Technologies Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif.

Amazing, which produces smart card systems for loyalty, satellite television, electronic commerce, and other applications, would be the latest in a string of acquisitions by Publicard.

The Connecticut-based company, formerly known as Publicker Industries, acquired the card-reader vendors Tritheim Technologies and Greenwald Intellicard in 1998. Publicard improved its capital strength in September with the completion of a $10.3 million private placement of common stock, and it began trading Dec. 22 on the Nasdaq National Market System.

Two other agreements-to buy Katy Industries Inc. and Leapfrog Smart Products Inc.-were terminated this year when the companies could not come to final terms.

Details about the Amazing transaction, still subject to a definitive agreement, were not disclosed. James J. Weis, president and chief executive officer of Publicard, said the acquisition would sharpen its strategic focus and complement the Tritheim and Greenwald purchases.

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