Acquisition

Eleco PLC 11 September 2000 ELECO PLC Eleco buys specialist Construction Software company Eleco plc, the building systems group, announces the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of MBA Computing Limited ('MBA'). The initial consideration will be £548,000 with a deferred payment of up to £400,000, based on the trading performance of MBA over the two years to 31 August 2002. MBA develops and supplies a range of construction design software, which is tailored to the needs of modular and pre- fabricated construction methods. In addition to its own Construction Designer Modules and Total Housing Solutions, which operate on the most widely used AutoCADT platform, it produces construction design and production control software bespoke to end users' needs. MBA's software is widely used within the housebuilding industry. Additionally, MBA is an authorised dealer of AutoDesk Inc. and a registered developer of its AutoCADT software. John Ketteley, Executive Chairman of Eleco comments: 'MBA makes an excellent fit into the Eleco group. It has developed a range of software for a design process targeted at modular and pre-fabricated construction methods for which there is increasing demand. This is specially relevant to the housebuilding industry, an important sector for the Group, particularly Gang-Nail Systems, with whom MBA has established a close working relationship, assisting with the development of recently delivered software for Gang-Nail's Ecojoist flooring system. MBA has established relationships with architects and housebuilders and pre-fabricated element suppliers to the housing industry. These relationships, together with its software development skills are complementary to the Group's activities. In addition to promoting its software products, I am confident that MBA will provide enhanced opportunities for our existing businesses.' Of the initial consideration, £100,000 is being satisfied by the issue of 333,330 new ordinary shares of 10p each in Eleco (which will not rank for any dividend paid in respect of the year ended 30 June 2000). The balance will be paid in cash. Up to £200,000 of the deferred consideration may, at Eleco's option, be satisfied by the issue of further shares at the then ruling price. Additionally £52,000 of directors' loans are being repaid by MBA. At 31 August 1999, the date of the last audited accounts, MBA had net liabilities of £109,000 and for the year then ended, during which it curtailed supplying and installing computer hardware, it incurred a loss before tax of £113,000. Unaudited management accounts for the 11 months to 31 July 2000, report a profit before tax of £91,000. Enquiries to: John Ketteley: Executive Chairman Eleco plc Tel: 01992 440311 David Millham Millham Communication Tel: 020 7256 5756
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