Acquisition

Vp PLC
14 July 2003


Press Release                                                     14 July 2003
                                                                  

                                      Vp plc

                Acquisition of Trench Shore Limited for £2.7m


Vp plc, the equipment rental specialist, today announces the acquisition of the
entire issued share capital of Trench Shore Limited for a cash consideration of
£2.7 million.

Trench Shore hires and sells specialist shoring products to the construction and
civil engineering industry.  Established in 1987 the business operates from four
locations in the UK and has 57 employees.

In the year ended 31 October 2002, Trench Shore reported profits of £257,000 on
turnover of £4.1 million.  Net assets at 31 October 2002 were £2.45 million.

The Trench Shore business will be integrated within Groundforce, Vp's own
shoring business, which provides rental, sale and design of shoring systems and
allied services to the water, civil engineering and construction industries.

Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman & Chief Executive, commented: 'The acquisition of
Trench Shore consolidates our position as market leader in this sector in the
UK.  This well established and reputable business complements Groundforce's
activities and will provide increased customer and geographic penetration.  The
Group's strong balance sheet enables us to take advantage of growth
opportunities, such as this acquisition, as they arise.'


                                    - Ends -


For further information:

Vp plc
Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman & Chief Executive          Tel: [phone]
Neil Stothard, Group Finance Director                              www.vpplc.com

Media enquiries:

Bankside

Sarah Carrell / Henry Harrison-Topham                  Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]


Notes to Editors

Vp plc

The principal activity of the Group is equipment rental and associated services
almost entirely conducted within the UK.  Vp plc listed on the London Stock
Exchange in 1973.   As of 31 March 2003, turnover for the Group was £75.5
million.

The Group is focused on five businesses:

Torrent Trackside


  •  Hire of portable track repair and renewals equipment, trackside lighting 
     and related support services to rail infrastructure maintenance companies.


Hire Station

  •  Rental and sale of tools, small equipment and allied services to industry, 
     construction and homeowners plus three specialist offerings:
          
     -    Safeforce - hire and sale of safety and survey products, asset 
          management and training services.
     -    Lifting Point - materials handling and lifting gear hire.
     -    One Call - national call centre for tool hire.

UK Forks

  •  Hire of rough terrain material handling equipment and accessories to the 
     house building and construction industry.  Unique in the transaction of the 
     business through a national call centre and dedicated services outlets.

Groundforce

  •  Rental, sale and design of shoring systems and allied services to the 
     water, civil engineering and construction industries.

Airpac Oilfield Services

  •  Servicing the international oil and gas exploration and development markets 
     with specialist air compressors and associated equipment.


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