Statement re Scanoptic

Acal PLC
01 November 2002



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 1 November 2002





                                ACAL plc



(Leading pan-European, value added distributor providing specialist design-in,
        sales and marketing services for international suppliers)



               PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF SCANOPTIC GmbH



On 14th August 2002 Acal plc announced the proposed acquisition of Scanoptic
GmbH ("Scanoptic").



It has not been possible to complete the acquisition as planned.  A competitive
higher offer was made by a third party.  In the light of the trading performance
of Scanoptic over recent months and certain risks, Acal plc did not consider it
appropriate to match the terms being offered by the third party offeror.



Acal plc remain committed to the development and growth of its Headway document
imaging and management business, and will continue to serve the needs of its
customers and suppliers.





For further information:-



John Curry          -     Chairman                         Tel:  [phone]
Jim Virdee          -     Finance Director                 Tel:  [phone]



Brian Coleman-Smith / Amanda Sheehy
Beattie Financial                                           Tel:   [phone]





Notes to Editors:



1                    The Acal Group is a leading European, value-added
distributor providing specialist design-in, sales and marketing services for
international suppliers in the fields of Electronic Components, Information
Technology Products, IT Parts Services and Industrial Controls.  Its value-added
philosophy and geographic coverage enables Acal to provide specialist knowledge
and support to customers on a pan-European basis.



2                    Headway Technology is focused as a specialist distributor
in the document management and imaging market.  Established in 1986, Headway has
become a leading supplier of document management technologies being the first
European distributor to enter this market.  By entering the market at the time
when document technologies on a PC platform were conceived, Headway has
accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience and is acknowledged by the
industry's major suppliers as a leader in its field.



Sourcing only the 'Best of Breed' products that meet the demanding requirements
of mission critical applications, Headway provides a single source for all
specialist requirements at competitive prices.  All products are supplied with
extensive pre and post sales support.



As part of the Acal Group, Headway provides wide coverage throughout Europe and
sustains competitive advantage by being at the forefront of technologies.



3                    Acal has operating companies in the UK, Netherlands,
Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Scandinavia and the USA.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange