We have been printing banknotes for 90 years and our expertise is reflected in every note. With our high-tech printing processes and quality inspection systems, we ensure that issuers throughout the world safeguard their banknotes for the Cash Cycle.
Despite many erroneous prophecies to the contrary, cash is popular and here to stay. It is estimated that there are up to 500 billion banknotes in circulation worldwide, and over 150 billion notes per year are reprinted. At the same time, banknote security enhancement continues to be a critical factor for the industry to reduce the incidence of counterfeiting. With our advanced printing processes, managed services, and distinct focus on quality, we realize every currency as a unique, secure and cost-effective solution. Banknotes are a country's business card, and the design imperatives and their unique properties including color-shift, tactile, and interactive elements enable them to be authenticated and mechanically processed.
Our company has a long tradition of banknote printing. Today our business partners include central banks, as well as banknote and security printers for more than 100 countries.
We have been synonymous with securing public currencies since our foundation 90 years ago. As a true global market leader, more than 150 central banks and all other players in the currency cycle trust our comprehensive expertise for both physical and digital currency solutions.
Drawing upon our end-to-end expertise, we craft inventive solutions that form the core of our Advanced Currency Management portfolio. This encompasses the development of tamper-resistant banknote designs, the utilization of high-quality paper and security elements, banknote production, the efficient processing of banknotes, and sustainable end-of-life solutions.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
We make the lives of billions of people more secure.
As a global Security Tech company, our focus is squarely on security. But what do we actually mean by “security” at UFG? It embodies our values and our purpose of making the lives of billions of people more secure through Digital Security, Financial Platforms and Currency Technology.
The look and feel of a banknote are key for trust and recognition in circulation. Before a large banknote order is printed, we produce prototypes and sample banknotes for the central bank. These can be used to check whether the design and security features integrate perfectly to the customer's expectations. This enables the further optimization of individual designs and security features.
Banknotes are constantly being refined, and we customize our production process for each currency. The printing processes generally follow a defined sequence, whilst also offering the customer an array of integration options. For example, it is possible to combine a variety of printing processes, such as offset and intaglio, with the PEAK® security feature (Printed Embossed Anti-Copy Key). We provide the right balance of innovative and secure features for each denomination.
The higher the quality of the banknote, the better it meets its requirements in the Cash Cycle. To this end, we assess the quality of our notes during each individual production step to get to the root of possible causes for rejection. These findings are then used to refine the production process. And before shipping, each individual note is checked again by our exceptional BPS® X9 banknote processing system.
Central banks across the globe rely on the quality of our products, as well as our flexibility and adherence to deadlines. We guarantee consistently high standards at all production sites. This objective pays off: with cutting-edge production techniques, a distinct focus on quality, sustainable processes and ongoing optimization, we achieve impressive results for our customers.
Accelerated circulation simulation
We need to predict how a new banknote series will behave in circulation. In a series of durability tests, we subject the banknotes to a range of laboratory tests to simulate circulation in extreme conditions.
Intelligent currency management is essential for a resilient cash cycle relied upon by billions. As a trusted partner, we offer leading technology for secure, efficient, and sustainable cash management solutions.
As pioneers of machine-readable banknotes and automated processing, we provide customized solutions for every cash cycle step. Partnering with central banks, commercial banks, casinos, and cash-in-transit companies, we deliver future-proof solutions tailored to customer needs.
Our offerings combine hardware, software, and services into scalable cash cycle solutions. We implement customized currency hubs as turnkey projects to optimize national cash cycles.
We enhance banknote processing efficiency through automation and data-driven technology, reducing handling costs while promoting sustainability with green products. Additionally, we collaborate with central banks globally to create integrated ecosystems that merge physical and digital cash.
Sustainable banknote solutions with unmatched security.
As global cash circulation rises, ensuring the authenticity and security of banknotes is vital for public trust. We collaborate with clients to provide tailored, highly secure, and sustainable banknote solutions.
Since 1935, we’ve been a world leader in banknote solutions, offering exceptional design and cutting-edge security features. Our customized solutions prevent counterfeiting while integrating maximum security with appealing aesthetics.
Our banknote solutions guarantee the authenticity and quality of cash, supporting consumer choice in an evolving payment landscape. We blend sustainability, security, and design excellence to redefine the future of cash.
Access all your banknote production needs from a single source.
Creating high-quality banknotes requires advanced anti-forgery technology, durable substrates, and sophisticated production methods. Our cutting-edge solutions cover everything from banknote printing to plant engineering, ensuring global currency security and sustainability.
As a leading private banknote manufacturer, we produce currencies for over 100 countries, printing six billion banknotes annually with a focus on beauty and security. Our experts integrate anti-counterfeiting features with automation, durability, and visual appeal through innovative processes and craftsmanship.
Our comprehensive approach consolidates every production step, including substrates, security features, and finishing. We also design components and turnkey plants for banknote printing and production. Choose from standardized and customized solutions, alongside extensive support services such as logistics assistance and tailored consultancy. Our Advanced Currency Management solutions make the process reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable.
Banknote Finishing Systems: 100% Flawless Quality
Our meticulous single note inspection guarantees only flawless banknotes enter circulation. For over 90 years, we've leveraged cutting-edge technologies, including the industry-leading BPS® X9, to automatically assess the quality of freshly printed notes. We also offer single note inspection services upon request, ensuring clear costs and reliable performance.
As banknotes evolve to combat forgery, our final quality control is crucial. The BPS X9 meticulously inspects each note for defects and conformity to ensure acceptance by individuals and teller machines. This advanced measurement technology enhances productivity and reliability when paired with the CutLink X cutting machine and NotaPack 10 packing system, fully automating the final processing stage for seamless quality control.
Single Note Inspection: Managed Services Over Costly Investments
At our company, we proudly provide expert single note inspection as a managed service specifically designed for central banks and printing plants around the world. Our primary goal is to ensure that only the highest quality, flawless banknotes enter circulation, maintaining the integrity of currency systems globally. Currently, more than 50% of banknote printing facilities count on our specialized knowledge and services, with approximately 150 advanced systems, including renowned technologies like the BSP 2000 OBIS and BPS® X9, actively deployed in various locations around the globe.
By choosing our services, clients can significantly reduce capital investments while simultaneously enhancing operational flexibility. We offer competitive monthly fee structures with the option for on-site or remote service delivery, tailored to meet the unique needs of each customer. Our team of highly trained staff members is available as needed, which contributes to lowering overall labor costs for our clients. We also invite you to trial our innovative outsourcing model, which comes with the added benefit of allowing you to take over system operation whenever you choose, ensuring you remain in control while enjoying the expertise and efficiency of our managed services.
Full Cost Control - Attractive Portfolio Growth
We are committed to providing comprehensive solutions for your operational needs, including the availability of trained staff to effectively operate your system whenever required. This means you can eliminate additional staffing costs from your budget, and under certain circumstances, you might even find yourself saving money. Our cutting-edge single note inspection system is readily available in its entirety, ensuring that you benefit from its capabilities without delays. The performance scope, quality standards, and response times are clearly defined and articulated in our service level agreements (SLA), offering you peace of mind and clarity.
Our managed service is not just an option; it's the perfect enhancement to your overall performance portfolio. By integrating this service, you will be empowered to take on future print jobs that necessitate 100% single note inspection compliance. This means that any print batches containing partially defective banknotes can be easily identified and separated, safeguarding the integrity of your operations. We operate on a straightforward monthly fee structure for our managed services, ensuring that your costs remain both manageable and transparent. Importantly, there are no upfront investments required to access these services; and should you choose to transition to a subsequent takeover of the system, the initial investment required will be significantly lower, making it an economically savvy choice for your business.
Improving quality and efficiency while reducing costs is a key goal for printworks.
For printworks aiming to enhance their productivity and achieve greater cost efficiency, a critical strategy involves the reduction of waste rates during the banknote production process. It is equally important to meticulously document the results of these improvements. The current landscape of banknote production is riddled with numerous potential sources of faults and errors that require careful identification and management. Each individual banknote, once it has been printed and cut, must undergo rigorous inspection for over 100 distinct properties and security features to ensure its authenticity and quality.
To address these challenges, Compass LUNA offers a cutting-edge software solution designed to integrate a diverse array of data sources. This powerful tool enables you to effectively identify production errors, minimize processing faults, and promptly address any glitches that may arise during manufacturing. With its user-friendly interface and visually engaging interactive dashboards, Compass LUNA can be utilized either on-premises or through a cloud-based platform, providing flexibility to suit various operational needs. This innovative solution not only streamlines the production process but also empowers printworks to achieve their goals of enhanced quality, efficiency, and cost savings.
Combining both internal and external data sources within a single, secure location, Data Intelligence effectively transforms banknote and cash cycle data into actionable insights that can drive informed decision-making.
Compass Banknote Intelligence is an innovative analytics platform designed to facilitate ongoing monitoring of banknote quality throughout every stage of production and circulation. Utilizing cutting-edge big data technologies, this platform captures, stores, manages, and analyzes extensive amounts of data related to banknotes and cash cycles. As a secure and scalable solution, it provides real-time insights into critical metrics such as shredding rates, thoroughly examines various banknote features, and promptly delivers early alerts regarding any notable variations in circulation patterns. By doing so, it significantly enhances the resilience of cash cycles, helping to minimize waste while simultaneously improving operational efficiency.
Ultimately, by consolidating both internal and external data sources within a secure environment, Data Intelligence is able to transform traditional banknote and cash cycle data into meaningful insights that empower organizations to make strategic decisions and optimize their operations for greater success.
Banknotes travel more extensively than almost any other product and must meet exceedingly high standards.
A variety of functional elements are necessary to ensure the reliable use of banknotes as a means of payment within the cash cycle. These elements must be easily recognizable by both people and technical devices, and they should integrate seamlessly into the overall graphical concept. We also lay the groundwork for secure and efficient production right from the design stage.
The concept of functional design incorporates target group-specific design elements. Whether for the general public, vending machines, cash deposit machines, ATMs, or processing systems used by cash centers and central banks, each target group requires distinct functional features. The design guidelines we have developed ensure optimal efficacy for all these applications throughout the cash cycle.
Functional features, including security elements and identifiers for the visually impaired, are essential components of every banknote. We successfully integrate these elements into the overall graphical concept, employing recurring leitmotifs and visual effects. This approach enables end users to quickly learn how to discern counterfeits. Additionally, counterfeiting banknotes becomes significantly more challenging, raising the technological costs associated with such attempts.
Each freshly printed banknote is inspected for all quality characteristics during single note inspection. The BPS® X9 only checks the single notes after they have been numbered, coated, and cut. Defective notes are automatically sorted and reliably destroyed, and flawless banknotes are securely packed. At the end of the inspection, our customers receive a precise and detailed report about quantities and quality of the inspected banknotes.
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Since 1935, we have been the trusted partner of the most demanding institutions. Today, we foster trust in the digital age—while remaining true to our core mission: Creating Confidence. We understand that trust in us is built upon our reliable and responsible actions regarding sustainability. Our sustainability strategy adheres to ESG criteria, which encompass the three pillars of Environment, Social, and Governance. We have pinpointed our key action areas within these pillars and established specific targets—such as climate protection and lifelong learning—to enhance our sustainability practices. The ESG Committee, formed in 2022, alongside our Corporate Sustainability department, directs our efforts and reports directly to us.
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We provide premium support at every stage of the product lifecycle—from initial planning to ongoing operation monitoring and comprehensive training programs. With our innovative service solutions and a team of over 1,600 service experts, we guarantee the optimum performance of the BPS® X9, ensuring its reliability and efficiency for many years. In the dynamic world of cash management and technology, where efficiency and system performance are paramount, holistic service solutions are the cornerstone of operational success. We understand that maintaining high system availability is not merely a goal but a necessity for effectively managing large volumes of cash on a daily basis.
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