Disposal of Mountain Equipment

Embargoed: 0700hrs, 28 April 2005 International Brand Licensing plc Sale of Mountain Equipment International Brand Licensing plc ('IBL' or the 'Group') announces the sale by its wholly owned Swiss subsidiary, International Brand Licensing AG, of the Group's outdoor clothing and equipment brand, Mountain Equipment (the 'Brand'), to Swiss Cutlery (UK) Limited which was entered into and completed on 27 April 2005. The consideration for the sale was a sum of £3m (less £130,875.62 by way of set off against advance royalty payments) which was paid in cash on completion. Acquired from Outdoor & Sports Company (Holdings) Limited ('OSC') for £1.8m in June 1999, IBL immediately licensed the Brand back to OSC and has benefited by way of increasing annual royalties as distribution expanded into Europe and latterly, through third party licensees, into Japan. OSC is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Cutlery (UK) Limited. For the 6 months ended 30th June 2004, the Brand contributed £0.2m in royalty revenue to IBL's consolidated revenues of £1.3m and as at 30th June 2004, was valued in IBL's balance sheet at £2.3m. IBL intends to use the proceeds of the sale to reduce bank debt, settle outstanding liabilities and to invest in the Group's other brands. Tony Hutchinson, Chief Executive of IBL comments: 'In terms of the royalty revenues received over the past five years and the disposal price to Swiss Cutlery, this represents an excellent deal for the company. The proceeds will be used to reduce the company debt, strengthen the balance sheet, and provide additional funds to invest in our major property, Admiral.' Admiral is distributed internationally though a network of licensee partners, and in the UK is licensed exclusively through ASDA. IBL recently announced a five year Admiral kit deal with Leeds United, to add to its sponsorships of the England, West Indies, and South African cricket teams. IBL intends to release its results for the year ended 31 December 2004 during May 2005. For further information please contact, Adam Reynolds / Tony Hutchinson International Brand Licensing plc Tel. 020 7245 1100
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