SGS ACQUIRES FCC VEHICLE INSPECTION BUSINESS IN...

SGS /
SGS ACQUIRES FCC VEHICLE INSPECTION BUSINESS IN SPAIN AND ARGENTINA FOR EURO 180 
MILLION 
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SGS and FCC are pleased to announce the signing of an agreement by which SGS
will acquire the vehicle inspection businesses in Spain and Argentina of General
de Servicios ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) SA, a subsidiary of FCC
(Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas SA), for Euro 180 million.  The
transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the year following
clearance from the relevant competition and governmental authorities.

ITV currently runs 43 vehicle inspection centres in Spain spread across 6
regions: Aragon, Canary Islands, Madrid, Valencia, Castile-La Mancha and
Balearic Islands.  ITV Spain employs 660 staff members and executes more than
1.500.000 inspections each year.

Besides, in Argentina, ITV operates 32 vehicle inspection centres in the
provinces of Buenos Aires and Cordoba.  ITV Argentina employs 173 staff members
and executes more than 900.000 inspections each year.

For 2010, ITV estimated consolidated revenues will amount to Euro 64 million.

With this acquisition, SGS establishes a significant position in the Spanish
market and further enhances its position in Argentina, in line with the
strategic objectives of its Automotive Services division.

"We are delighted by this acquisition, this is a unique opportunity to acquire a
high quality operation with both strong financials and an excellent management
team" commented Chris Kirk, CEO of SGS.  "The statutory vehicle inspection
business is an important component of our growth plan and we welcome this
opportunity to strengthen our presence in both Western Europe and South
America."

For FCC the deal is coherent with its policy of managing its business portfolio
more dynamically in order to continue building up its competitive position in
the markets and sectors where it is a leader. FCC's approach is to leverage its
diversification (in terms of both industries and regions). The transaction is
also a step towards the Group's objective of divesting non-strategic assets in
order to strengthen its balance sheet and generate resources to focus in citizen
service areas:  environmental services, transport infrastructure and renewable
energies.

FCC was advised by BBVA and Morgan Stanley.




ABOUT SGS

The SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification,
testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the
global benchmark in quality and integrity. With 59'000 employees, SGS operates a
network of over 1'000 offices and laboratories around the world.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Jean-Luc de Buman
Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

SGS SA
1 place des Alpes
CH 1211 Geneva 1
Tel:       [phone]
Fax:     [phone]
[e-mail]
WWW.SGS.COM


 --- End of Message --- 

SGS
1 place des Alpes<br>P.O. Box 2152 Geneva 1 Switzerland

ISIN: CH0002497458;

SGS ACQUIRES FCC VEHICLE INSPECTION BUSINESS IN SPAIN AND ARGENTINA FOR EURO 180 MILLION: 


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