What Bristol ID Technologies does

Bristol ID Technologies is a privately held U.S. custom plastic card and RFID manufacturer founded in 1975 and headquartered in Lima, New York. The company produces a broad portfolio that includes proximity and secure identification cards, gift, loyalty, and membership cards, specialty cards (business cards, event credentials, translucent and holographic cards, calendar cards, pull-apart key tags), and a tags family spanning medical identifiers, luggage/bag tags, RFID hangtags, rearview-mirror vehicle access hangers, door-lock inserts, and door hangers. Its underlying technology combines multiple card substrates (PVC, vinyl) with embedded capabilities including proximity, HF and UHF passive RFID, magnetic stripe encoding, barcodes, and proprietary holographic and translucent security features, manufactured on a Komori LSX629 large-scale printing press in a 10,000 square foot expanded facility.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market combining a global reseller and distribution network with direct enterprise sales conducted through quote-based engagements. Bristol ID serves at least seven end markets: education, government, healthcare, hospitality, sports and leisure, transportation, and travel and entertainment. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales of custom-manufactured cards and tags, including multi-year enterprise assignments such as a multi-year, million-dollar RFID access-card contract with a major ski resort and drivers' license programs for Asian government localities. The company also offers an EcoSuite sub-brand of eco-friendly card solutions.

Bristol ID is a wholly owned subsidiary of publicly traded Document Security Systems, Inc. (DSS) following its August 2020 acquisition of Plastic Printing Professionals, Inc. (P3) from DSS, a move that consolidated the two companies' combined 100+ years of card manufacturing experience. Leadership transitioned at the end of 2021 when long-tenured CEO Keith Yeates retired and was succeeded by George E. Daddis Jr., Ph.D., while President Jeff Bill continues to lead business development and acquisition strategy. The company employs 101-250 people.

Name

Bristol ID Technologies

Legal name

Bristol ID Technologies

Website

https://bristolid.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bristol ID Technologies is a U.S.-based custom plastic card and RFID manufacturer producing secure ID, loyalty, membership, and specialty cards for enterprises across education, government, healthcare, hospitality, transportation, and entertainment markets; a subsidiary of Document Security Systems, Inc.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plastic Card Manufacturing

NAICS

Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334290)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Secure ICs, Smart Cards & Trusted Hardware (HDAHAAAJ)

Keywords

• Plastic card manufacturing
• RFID access cards
• Secure identification products
• Proximity card solutions
• Custom card printing

Headquarters

HQ city

Lima

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Custom Card Manufacturing: Manufacture and sale of custom plastic cards including RFID credentials, proximity cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, and specialty cards. Products are sold through resellers and direct enterprise sales.
2. RFID and Access Control Products: Sale of RFID-enabled access cards, key fobs, hangtags, and related access control products for security applications
3. Specialty Tags and Badges: Custom luggage tags, medical tags, hangtags, and tabletop signs for various applications

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Bristol ID Technologies manufactures custom plastic cards and RFID-enabled identification products, including proximity cards, secure ID badges, gift/loyalty/membership cards, and specialty cards and tags. Products are produced at its Lima, NY facility using advanced printing, holographic security, and RFID embedding capabilities. The company serves enterprise, government, and institutional customers across education, healthcare, hospitality, transportation, and government markets through a mix of direct sales and a reseller/distribution channel.

Product overview

Bristol ID Technologies offers a comprehensive portfolio of plastic card and RFID identification products. The core offerings include proximity cards and secure identification products for access control, alongside gift, loyalty, and membership cards for retail and hospitality markets. The specialty cards and tags category encompasses multiple sub-products including business cards, event credentials, translucent cards, calendar cards, and pull-apart key tags. The company also produces specialized tags including medical identifier tags for healthcare facilities, luggage and bag tags for travel/promotional use, and hangtags (rearview mirror hangers, door lock inserts, door hangers) with optional RFID technology. RFID technologies are offered as a standalone technology that can be embedded across multiple product categories. The product line supports various card technologies including proximity, HF, and UHF RFID, with capabilities for custom shapes, sizes, printing, and security features like holographic foil.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EcoSuite: Eco-friendly card solutions offered as part of specialty cards and tags product line.

Products and services

• Proximity Cards

Quantifiable outcome

• Multi-year, million-dollar assignments from major ski resort for RFID access cards

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Plastic Printing Professionals, Inc. (P3)coreTechnology or Integration · 17 August 2020Bristol ID acquired Plastic Printing Professionals, Inc. (P3), a division of Document Security Systems, Inc. P3 brings cutting-edge plastics production and sophisticated customization processes, particularly in advanced security features. Together the companies bring over 100 years of combined card manufacturing experience. P3 continues to operate under the name P3 with sales presence in Brisbane, CA, while all manufacturing and support functions moved to Lima, NY.
• Livingston County Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Strategic partnership with the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce to enhance Bristol ID's visibility within the local community, connecting community members for employment opportunities and company partnerships. The partnership coincided with Bristol's expansion including a new 10,000 sq ft building on approximately 40 acres of land.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HID Global: Major manufacturer of secure identity cards, RFID credentials, proximity cards, and access control solutions. Directly comparable to Bristol ID's core proximity card and RFID-enabled ID business, serving overlapping enterprise and government customers.
• CPI Card Group: Leading North American manufacturer of financial payment cards, ID cards, and related services. Directly comparable to Bristol ID's plastic card manufacturing business, particularly in gift cards, loyalty cards, and secure financial/ID cards.
• Identiv: Provider of secure identification solutions including RFID tags and inlays, smart cards, and physical access control. Directly comparable to Bristol ID's RFID and secure identification card business, with similar focus on access control and identity.
• Evolis: Manufacturer of card printers and card personalization systems for ID, payment, and access control applications. Comparable to Bristol ID in card printing and manufacturing capability, though Evolis primarily sells equipment while Bristol manufactures finished cards.
• Valid USA: Secure identification and card personalization solutions provider for government, financial, and commercial markets. Comparable to Bristol ID's secure ID and card manufacturing business, particularly in government and financial card programs.
• Perfecta: Manufacturer of plastic cards including ID cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, and specialty cards. Comparable to Bristol ID's plastic card manufacturing across multiple verticals, with similar product mix and customer base in North America.

Broad incumbents

• IDEMIA: Global leader in identity and security solutions producing secure identification documents including drivers' licenses, passports, and smart cards. Comparable to Bristol ID's government ID and security card manufacturing business, but at much greater scale across biometrics and digital ID.
• Entrust: Provider of trusted identity and secure issuance solutions including card printers, card personalization systems, and identity verification. Comparable to Bristol ID in card issuance and personalization, with broader portfolio including software and digital identity.
• Zebra Technologies: Provider of enterprise asset intelligence and tracking solutions including card and label printing systems. Comparable to Bristol ID in card/label printing technology and RFID-enabled products, with much broader portfolio across barcode, RFID, and location solutions.
• ASSA ABLOY: Global leader in access solutions and parent company of HID Global. Comparable to Bristol ID in access control credentials and secure identification, with vastly broader portfolio including locks, doors, and entry automation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bristol-id-technologies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bristol ID Technologies