Croma Security Regulatory News (CSSG)

22 Feb 2006 07:00

Croma Group PLC22 February 2006 22 FEBRUARY 2006 CROMA GROUP PLC ("CROMA" OR "THE COMPANY") INCREASE IN HOLDINGS AND INSTITUTIONAL FOLLOWING UPDATE Croma Group plc, the specialist in the design, development and production ofovert and covert surveillance and defence related products updates the Markettoday, following the recent acquisitions of Vigilant Security (Scotland) Limitedand Photobase Limited, and the related Placing, with news pertaining to newinstitutional interest, as well as increased holdings by existing institutionalshareholders . Framlington and Noble Fund Managers have today advised the Company that theirholdings have increased to 11,956,522 ordinary shares, representing 10.30% ofthe issued share capital, and 10,478,261 ordinary shares representing 7.40% ofthe issued share capital, respectively. The Company also announces that two new institutional investors took part at thetime of the Placing; Artemis Investment Management Limited holding a notifiableinterest of 5,000,000 shares, representing 3.73% of the issued share capital ofthe Company, and Calculus Capital and the Neptune-Calculus Income and GrowthVCT. Following the recent acquisitions, Vigilant Security (Scotland) Limited andPhotobase Limited will be renamed Croma Vigilant Limited, and Croma PhotobaseLimited, respectively. John French, Chairman and Chief Executive of Croma said: "We are delighted withthe support that we have had from all our shareholders and welcome those new toCroma. The support we have received plus the acquisitions recently completedgives us a stronger platform for the future development of the Group in itsstated aim to consolidate the sector through a combination of core growth andconsolidation by tactical acquisition." --ENDS-- Enquiries: Croma Group plcJohn French, Chairman & Chief Executive Mobile: 07836 722 482 Bishopsgate Communications Ltd. Tel: 020 7430 1600Dominic Barretto Mobile: 07930 450 156Fran Read Mobile: 07952 356 889 Notes to Editors: Listed on the AIM market of The London Stock Exchange, Croma Group plc, the specialists in the design, development, production and marketing of overt and covert surveillance and defence related products, comprises of three divisions; namely Croma Defence Systems Ltd, Shawley (a division of Croma Defence) and R&DDesign Services Ltd. On 3 February 2006, Croma acquired Vigilant Security (Scotland) Limited, aspecialist company dealing with asset protection in the industrial, commercialand public utilities market. On 13 February 2006, Croma acquired PhotobaseLimited, a UK-based business which designs, installs, services and maintainsbiometric identification and access-control solutions to meet the physicalsecurity needs for a wide range of locations, budgets, security policies andorganization types. These acquisitions will enable the Group to provide a more rounded securitysolution, and develop a totally integrated range of products and services todeal with the various aspects of the surveillance, security and defence relatedsector. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange