DNP to Take Controlling-Stake in Laxton

Tokyo, June 18, 2025, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) entered into a share transfer agreement on June 17, 2025 to acquire Cayman Islands-headquartered Rubicon SEZC. Rubicon (a holding company of “Laxton” group) is a global Identity Systems Integrator that provides ID solutions for governments, primarily in developing nations, to register and authenticate personal information. DNP plans to acquire 75% of Rubicon's shares in July and complete the procedures to make the company a Group company. 

DNP will maximize synergies with Laxton in ID cards and card printers. By expanding to government-related business in Africa, Asia, South America, and other regions, we will further grow our authentication and security business, contributing to a safe and secure Smart Society.

Image of share transfer signing: (At right) DNP Senior Corporate Officer, Mr. Yoshiki Numano.  (At left) Laxton CEO and founder, Mr. Lyle Charles Laxton.

Products of Laxton

Share Acquisition Aims and Background

The digitalization of resident information management is accelerating globally, with support from institutions including, but not limited to, the United Nations and the World Bank. Some countries and regions are adopting biometric authentication, such as facial, fingerprint or iris identification for resident ID purposes, including identification, authentication, and voter verification during elections. As a result, there is a growing need for products and services, including biometric authentication, that can more safely and efficiently register and authenticate resident ID information.

DNP maintains highly reliable authentication and security technologies cultivated over many years in our smart card business, and by strengthening collaboration with Laxton, we will promote the expansion of ID authentication services for governments and the development of new services. By maximizing synergies and further improving services, we will expand our business globally.

About Laxton

Laxton develops ID authentication services using biometric information, primarily for governments in emerging countries and regions, such as Africa, and has a track record of implementation in over 50 countries and regions around the world. The company provides services that combine mobility, robustness, and security by housing ID registration and authentication devices and card printers in a portable case. Laxton provides one-stop services ranging from consulting to development, implementation, training, and maintenance to meet the needs of governments and other organizations, and has earned a high reputation in countries and regions around the world.

Operational image of Laxton ID authentication services

Major Synergies from Laxton Acquisition

Service improvement-driven business expansion

DNP maintains strengths in authentication and security technologies, including the manufacture and issuance of smart cards, card printers, anti-counterfeit holograms and biometric authentication equipment, along with software. We will combine these strengths with Laxton’s diverse and proven ID authentication services to promote the development and expansion of services that better match market needs to create new value.

Expanding to emerging countries and regions where market growth is expected 

Laxton has a strong track record, particularly in emerging countries and regions, and offers thorough support system. Through our strengthened collaboration, DNP will provide highly reliable card printers and cards to these countries and regions to develop and expand new markets.

Company Comments

DNP: Senior Corporate Officer, Mr. Yoshiki Numano

“Laxton's service of registering and authenticating individuals is a socially significant business that helps to resolve the major issue of people in emerging nations who lack legal identification, and are therefore unable to receive social services. This acquisition occupies an extremely significant position in promoting the DNP global strategy, and we are confident that the combination of our two companies' technological capabilities, customer service capabilities and sales capabilities will create significant synergies in the future."

Laxton (Rubicon SEZC): CEO, Lyle Charles Laxton

“It is a great honor for Laxton to become a member of the distinguished DNP family. I have deep admiration for DNP’s 150-year legacy and its embrace of the Japanese principle of kaizen-a philosophy of continuous improvement that closely aligns with Laxton’s values. This partnership brings together Laxton’s energy and entrepreneurial spirit with DNP’s scale, technological leadership, and manufacturing excellence. Together, our deep vertical integration will power trusted solutions that strengthen national infrastructure and directly improve the lives of billions of citizens. My team and I are excited for the bright future ahead and feel privileged to work together to unlock new global opportunities and build the world’s leading identity management organization.”

Going Forward

DNP will seek to maximize synergies between our two companies through this acquisition, and aims to achieve cumulative sales of 140 billion yen by FY 2030 via ID authentication services for overseas governments.

*Company and product names listed in this release are the trademarks or registered trademarks of those respective companies. 

*The content of this report is current as of the date of publication. It may be changed at any time without notice.