Vp Regulatory News (VP.)

25 Jul 2005 07:00

Vp PLC25 July 2005 Press Release 25 July 2005 Vp plc Acquisition Vp plc, the equipment rental specialist, today announces the acquisition by itssubsidiary Hire Station Limited of the businesses and assets of Pivotal ServicesGroup Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary within Babcock International Group plc,for a cash consideration of £4.5 million. The net asset value at completionwas approximately £2.1 million. The businesses acquired comprise ESS SafetyServices and Pivotal Training and they operate from locations in Wellingborough,Leeds, Brentwood and Glasgow. ESS Safety Services is a market leading provider of safety products to theconstruction, civil engineering, utilities and industrial markets. Thisbusiness will be merged with Hire Station's existing safety products rental andsales activity, Safeforce. The combined business will trade as ESS Safeforce,and provide a comprehensive rental, sale and maintenance service for safetyproducts to the UK market. Pivotal Training, which will continue to trade under its existing name, deliversa wide range of courses including confined space, health and safety,environmental and management development training. Hire Station provides tools, specialist products and services to industry andconstruction. Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman, commented: "We are very pleased to have secured this acquisition which represents a uniqueopportunity for Hire Station to acquire the market leader in safety equipmentprovision and confined space training. Hire Station's specialist products andservices business will be significantly enhanced as a result of thisacquisition." - Ends - For further information please contact: Vp plcJeremy Pilkington, Chairman Tel: +44 (0) 1423 533 445jeremypilkington@vpplc.com www.vpplc.comNeil Stothard, Group Managing Directorneil.stothard@vpplc.comMike Holt, Group Finance Directormike.holt@vpplc.com AbchurchSarah Hollins / Justin Heath Tel: +44 (0) 113 390 6388sarah.hollins@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com Notes to Editors The principal activity of the Group is equipment rental and associated servicesalmost entirely conducted within the UK. Vp plc listed on the London StockExchange in 1973. For the year ended 31 March 2005, Group turnover was £90.0 million. The Group is focused on five businesses: Torrent Trackside Infrastructure equipment and services for the railway renewals and maintenanceindustry. Hire Station Tools and specialist products for industry, construction including Safeforce -safety and environmental products and Lifting Point - materials handling andlifting gear hire. UK Forks Rough terrain material handling equipment for industry, residential and generalconstruction. Groundforce Excavation support systems and specialist products for the water, civilengineering and construction industries, including Piletec - pile driving andbreaking; Stopper Specialists - pipe integrity testing; Survey Technology -surveying and water flow measurement. Airpac Oilfield Services Equipment and service providers to the international oil and gas exploration anddevelopment markets. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange