Acquisition

7 May 2008 07:00

Vp PLC07 May 2008 Press Release 7 May 2008 Vp plc ("Vp" or "the Group") Acquisitions Vp plc, the equipment rental specialist, announces the acquisition of twobusinesses. Vp's tool hire subsidiary Hire Station has acquired the entire issued sharecapital of Arcotherm (UK) Limited ('Arcotherm') for a cash consideration of£0.65m. Arcotherm, which has been established for over 15 years, is engaged inthe hire and sale of heaters, air conditioners and dehumidifiers from branchesin Stoke on Trent and Oxford. Arcotherm will be integrated within Climate Hire,Hire Station's specialist cooling, heating, drying and environmental productsactivity. Hire Station has also completed the purchase of the business and assets of DJTool Hire Ltd (in administration), a North East based tool hire business. Thisacquisition further strengthens Hire Station's tool hire network in the NorthEast. Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman of Vp plc commented: "The acquisition of Arcotherm represents a further important step in theestablishment of Hire Station's climate products business, Climate Hire, andbrings with it a wealth of valuable expertise with the transferring managementteam. The acquisition of the long established DJ business further enhances ourdistribution capability for tool hire and associated services in the North Eastof England." For further information please contact: Vp plcJeremy Pilkington, Chairman Tel: +44 (0) 1423 533 400jeremypilkington@vpplc.com Neil Stothard, Group Managing Director Tel: +44 (0) 1423 533 445neil.stothard@vpplc.com www.vpplc.com Mike Holt, Group Finance Director Tel: +44 (0) 1423 533 445mike.holt@vpplc.com www.vpplc.com Media enquiries:Abchurch CommunicationsSarah Hollins/Ariane Comstive Tel: +44 (0) 113 203 1345sarah.hollins@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com Notes to editors: About Vp The main activity of the Group is equipment rental and associated servicesprincipally conducted within the UK. Vp plc listed on the London Stock Exchangein 1973. The Group is focused on six businesses: Hire Station Tools and specialist products for industry, construction and home owners. TPA Portable roadway systems, bridging, fencing and barriers primarily to the UKmarket, but also in the Republic of Ireland and mainland Europe. Torrent Trackside Infrastructure equipment and services for the railway renewals and maintenanceindustry. Groundforce Excavation support systems and specialist products for the water, civilengineering and construction industries. UK Forks Rough terrain material handling equipment for industry, residential and generalconstruction. Airpac Bukom 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