Vp Regulatory News (VP.)

25 Jul 2005 07:01

Babcock International Group PLC25 July 2005 Date: 25 July 2005 Contacts: Franco Martinelli Andrew Lorenz/Richard Mountain Babcock International Group PLC Financial Dynamics Telephone: +44 (0)20 7291 5000 Telephone: +44 (0)20 7269 7291 BABCOCK EXITS NON-CORE HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING BUSINESS Babcock International Group PLC ('Babcock') is pleased to announce the sale ofthe Pivotal Services Group, the health and safety training and product supplybusiness, to Hire Station Limited, a subsidiary of Vp plc, for cashconsideration of £4.5 million. Pivotal Services was a subsidiary of the Peterhouse Group acquired by Babcock inJune 2004 and formed part of Babcock's non-core Health, Safety and Environmentalbusiness. The business generated sales of £7.9 million in the period to 31 March2005. Commenting on the sale, Peter Rogers, Chief Executive of Babcock said "We are now well on the way to completing the exit from the health, safety andenvironment businesses. Pivotal was not a core business for Babcock and itsfuture should be more secure with Vp plc who have an excellent reputation in thehealth and safety equipment and training markets." - ends - Notes to editors: About Babcock International Group PLC Babcock International Group PLC is an asset management business. We manage fixedinfrastructure and mobile assets. Babcock integrates labour, technicalcapabilities, systems and supply chain partners to meet the outsourcing needs ofcustomers for 'mission-critical' capabilities. In the year to 31 March 2005 sales from continuing business were £760 million.In June 2004 Babcock acquired the Peterhouse Group which brought; Rail, Networksand Health, Safety and Environmental to the Group. The Group operates across five core business segments: Defence Services, supplying facilities management, equipment support andtraining services to the armed forces. Technical Services, providing engineering and logistical support to both thedefence and civil sectors in the UK. Engineering and Plant Services supplying design, installation and maintenancesupport to the energy sector in Africa and the US. It also holds the Volvofranchise for construction equipment in Southern Africa. Rail, providing design, renewal and installation services for the UK railinfrastructure. Networks, supporting the design, maintenance and renewal of power transmissionand cellular telecommunications networks in the UK. Babcock's head office is in London and the Company's shares are quoted on theLondon Stock Exchange in the support services sector (EPIC:BAB). For furtherinformation, please visit Babcock's website at www.babcock.co.uk. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange