SQS Software Quality Systems AG Regulatory News (SQS)

14 Nov 2006 07:02

SQS Software Quality Systems AG14 November 2006 Embargoed until 0700 14 November 2006 SQS Software Quality Systems AG Client Wins SQS Software Quality Systems AG (AIM:SQS.L), the leading independentpan-European provider of quality management and testing services for softwaredevelopment, is today pleased to announce that it has won a record 59 newclients in the third quarter to 30 September 2006. This number equates toapproximately 20% of SQS's total client base and is the highest number of newclient wins achieved in the last four years. In particular, the UK and Ireland have performed strongly since the acquisitionof Cresta in May 2006, growing its client base by 30% from new business wins.This demonstrates the positive reception to the integration of Cresta and SQS UKin the UK and Irish market. The SQS-UK/Ireland business now accounts forapproximately 40% of total Group turnover. The new clients are spread across a number of sectors, including industry,logistics, retail, public sector, insurance and technology, reducing the Group'sexposure to any one sector and further underpinning SQS's policy to continue todiversify its business into further verticals. SQS will update the market with a trading statement for the year ending December2006 in early January 2007. Commenting on the contract wins, Rudolf van Megen, CEO of SQS said: "We aredelighted with these customer wins which demonstrate significant contractmomentum, helping to underpin expectations for the full year." For further information please contact: SQS Software Quality Systems AG www.sqs.deRudolf van Megen (CEO)/Rene Gawron (CFO) +49 (2203)91540 Altium 020 7484 4040Garry Levin / Nick Tulloch Smithfield 020 7360 4900Sara Musgrave / Tania Wild Print resolution images are available for the media to view and download fromwww.vismedia.co.uk Notes to Editors:SQS is the largest independent European provider of software testing and qualitymanagement services. SQS consultants design and oversee quality managementprocesses during software and IT systems development, and test the resultingproducts for errors and omissions. Headquartered in Cologne, Germany, SQS now has operations across Europe and inSouth Africa with over 700 employees. SQS has a strong presence in Germany(Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Hamburg) and in the UK (London,Woking, Birmingham, Manchester), Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria andSouth Africa. SQS also has a minor stake in an operation in Portugal and apartnership operation in Spain. In May 2006, SQS made its first acquisition after its AIM flotation, buyingCresta Group Ltd in the UK for a consideration of up to £18m. The acquisitionincreased SQS' UK revenue threefold and secured its position as the largestindependent software testing and quality management company in the UK. With over 3,000 completed projects under its belt, SQS has a strong customerbase including half of the DAX 30 companies and 30% of the STOXX-50. Theyinclude names like Dresdner Bank, Lloyds TSB, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone,Daimler Chrysler, and Airbus spread across the full range of industries. SQS is the first German company with a primary listing on AIM and completed itsIPO in September 2005, having raised £10.8m before expenses at an issue price of190p. SQS is included in the Software and Computer Services sector (9530) withinthe Computer Services subsector (9533) and has a RIC code of SQS.L. SQScompleted a secondary listing on the Deutsche Boerse in Frankfurt on 2ndDecember 2005. For further information, please visit www.sqs-uk.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange