LONDON -- NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) says it recently shipped its 500,000th ATM.
The company, which first entered the ATM market in the 1970s, calls the shipment a significant milestone. According to a news release, NCR became the world's lead supplier for the first time in 1987 and has retained that position since then.
At the end of 2000, NCR announced that it had shipped over 50,000 ATMs in the previous 12 months.
The manufacturer hopes to retain its leader position by growing its business in developing markets like India and China.
To that effect, NCR in November 2002 announced the opening of its fourth manufacturing plant in India, joining plants in Dundee, Scotland; Waterloo, Canada; and Beijing. According to NCR, the Indian facility will have the capacity to produce 8,000 to 10,000 ATMs annually.
According to the release, the decision to establish a plant in India is a reflection of the rapid growth being experienced in the Asia-Pacific region and is consistent with NCR's regionally-focused manufacturing model.
Keith Taylor, senior vice president of NCR's Financial Solutions division, said in the release, "The nature of the ATM and of the financial self-service market has certainly changed. Consumers these days demand more convenience and that's what the ATM can give them. Whether it's 24/7 access to cash and secure convenient deposit facilities or accessing theater or sports tickets, the ATM has become an important part of daily life."
