Sale of Division

K3 Business Technology Group PLC 29 March 2004 K3 BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC ('K3') ANNOUNCES SALE OF ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS DIVISION K3 Business Technology Group plc ('K3') is pleased to announce that it has agreed the sale of its Enterprise Systems Division, based in Crewe, to Azur Group Limited for £2.55m. The sale represents a profit on disposal of £1.40m. The sale of the Division, which supplies IBS based Enterprise Resource Planning ('ERP') solutions to the manufacturing sector, is part of the Group's re-focusing of activities to concentrate on the development of a portfolio of Microsoft-based supply chain management solutions and expand its presence within the distribution and retail sectors. Accordingly, K3 intends to use the proceeds of the sale to make suitable acquisitions in line with this strategy. The total consideration of £2.55m for the Crewe business is represented by £1.87m in cash on completion, with the balance of £0.68m being the accrued income retained by K3. K3 will collect the trade receivables and discharge the trade payables generating a further £0.73m of cash. Further consideration may be receivable in one year dependent on gross margins achieved. Currently, this is estimated to be £0.15m. The Enterprise Systems Division was responsible for the development, support and marketing of the IBS integrated ERP solution for SME manufacturers and during the year ended 31 December 2003, reported an operating profit of £0.44m before amortisation of goodwill but after management charges, and an operating profit of £0.28m. K3 has sold the goodwill and fixed assets relating to the division which were included in the balance sheet at 31 December 2003 for £0.97m and £0.04m respectively; it has retained the receivables and payables. Andy Makeham, K3 CEO, commented: 'The sale of the Enterprise Systems Division represents a constructive step as we move forward with our ambitions to develop our Microsoft-based business solutions and expand the business into the distribution and retail sectors. The proceeds of sale of the Division will be re-invested in acquisitions that meet our strict selection criteria and we are actively considering a number of targets. 'After the sale, while we will remain the UK's largest supplier of ERP solutions to the SME manufacturing sector, with over 1,500 customers, our resources will be more effectively focused on growth opportunities and we view 2004 with confidence as we seek to consolidate our vision.' ENDS Enquiries: K3 Business Technology Group plc Andy Makeham, Chief Executive T: 020 7448 1000 (today) David Bolton, Finance Director Thereafter: 01282 864111 Biddicks Katie Tzouliadis/Kathryn van der Kroft T: 020 7448 1000 Rowan Dartington & Co. Limited Barrie Newton T: 0117 933 0011 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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