Applied Optical Technologies has bounced back after losing euro banknote work to win contracts with FIFA, General Motors and German railways.


AOT will make security tags for all officially licensed products for the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.


Merchandise from mugs to shirts will be labelled with hang tags or pressure-sensitive labels sporting a hologram-type device.


It is setting up fulfilment centres in the UK, USA, Korea and Japan to serve licencees in their time zones. These will have databases for monitoring and tracking.


"We arent just saying heres a label, go away." said marketing and PR director astrid Mitchell. "We are ensuring good distribution."


General Motors turned to AOT for brand protection with self-adhesive labels for packs of car parts to fight counterfeit stock.


And AOT has kicked off its three-year contract for Germanys BR-equivalent, Deutsche Bahn. Security foil verifies tickets, with OVD material on thermal stocks.
"We only announce substantial contracts like these to the City. They should open doors to new customers and opportunity," said Mitchell.
Last month Applied Optical Technology shares fell more than 140p after it pulled out of the running for a contract for euro banknote holograms (PrintWeek, 18 August).


Brand and commercial security for the new contracts didnt rely on demetalisation unlike euros, she said. AOT aims to enter the euro note race at a later date after ironing out the problem.


The firm's shares closed 6% up at 132.5p following the announcement.


Story by Jez Abbott