Acquisition

Vp PLC
01 March 2004

                                                                    1 March 2004

Acquisition of Laser and Survey Rental, Sales and Servicing Business for £1.15m

Vp plc, the equipment rental specialist, today announces the acquisition of the
laser and survey rental, sales and servicing business of Sokkia Ltd for a cash
consideration of £1.15 million.

The business operates from premises at Crawley, Crewe and Coleshill and will be
integrated with Vp's existing laser and survey activities within the Groundforce
division.  Groundforce provides rental, sales and design of shoring systems and
allied services to the water, civil engineering and construction industries.

Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman & Chief Executive, commented:

'This acquisition significantly extends Groundforce's existing presence in the
specialist survey hire market, giving us improved geographic coverage and a
wider product offering.  We believe it will further strengthen the already
successful Groundforce business and reinforces us as market leader within this
sector.'

                                    - 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 Hollins                                          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.

For the year ended 31 March 2003, Group turnover 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