Acquisition

10 Apr 2008 07:00

Intertek Group PLC10 April 2008 Stock Exchange Release 10 April 2008, 7am London, UK Intertek acquires 4-Front Research Intertek Group plc (Intertek), the leading provider of quality and safetysolutions to a wide range of industries around the world, announces theacquisition of 4-Front Research Limited, 4-Front Research UK Limited, 4 FrontResearch SAS (France) and Four Front Research (India) Pvt Limited), (together"4-Front Research"), a provider of testing services for consumer healthcare andrelated products. Intertek purchased 4-Front Research from owner Jon Holt for an initial cashconsideration of GBP 6 million and an estimated deferred consideration of GBP4.4 million payable in June 2009, and based on 2008 performance. 4-Front Research provides analytical support for clinical research studies oncosmetic, personal care, functional food, and over-the-counter (OTC)pharmaceutical and medical products. Customers, which include national andinternational consumer product brands, use 4-Front Research's services forproduct development, support, and to verify promotional statements. Products areevaluated for dermatological, allergenic, sunlight or dental effects amongstothers. With seven sites in England and sites in Hyderabad, India and Paris, France,4-Front employs 110 people and will form part of Intertek's Consumer Goodsdivision. Wolfhart Hauser, Chief Executive Officer of Intertek, commented: "4-Front Research adds new high-value services to support our consumerhealthcare customers in helping them to develop and monitor products. Theacquisition also gives us a strategic position to support future and growingdemand for consumer healthcare products within India and other Asian marketswith its locations in India, supported by the European network." -ends- Contacts Aston Swift / Sarah Ogilvie Intertek Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7396 3400 aston.swift@intertek.com / sarah.ogilvie@intertek.com Richard Mountain / Sophie Kernon, Financial Dynamics Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7269 7121 richard.mountain@fd.com / sophie.kernon@fd.com Notes to Editors ABOUT INTERTEK Intertek (LSE: ITRK) is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 21,000 people in 110 countries around the world. www.intertek.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange