Acquisition

Eurovestech PLC 16 May 2003 Eurovestech plc ('Eurovestech' or 'the Company') Acquisition Eurovestech, the investment company which operates a development capital fund, focussing on high-technology enterprises, announces the acquisition of Knowledge Support Systems Limited ('KSSL') from Knowledge Support Systems Group plc ('KSSG') earlier today. KSSL is a provider of pricing and revenue management systems for the petroleum and retail sectors. For the year ended 31st December, 2002, KSSL incurred a loss before taxation of £7.4 million and had a net deficiency of assets of £22.3 million as at that date. Included in this amount was £21.5 million of cash or cash equivalents and £44.7 million owing to KSSG. After the balance sheet date KSSL repaid £13.8 million to KSSG and £24 million of the balance due to KSSG was capitalised. The remaining balance due to KSSG will at Eurovestech's option be capitalised by KSSG or transferred to Eurovestech for no extra cost. KSSG has warranted that KSSL and its subsidiary had cash balances net of bank borrowings of £6.0 million as at 30th April, 2003 and following completion of the acquisition, KSSL will have no indebtedness due to KSSG. The consideration for the acquisition is £1.0 million payable in cash and Eurovestech has also given KSSG indemnities in relation to specified employment-related liabilities. Eurovestech currently holds 6,742,273 ordinary shares in KSSG, representing 9.1 per cent. of the issued share capital of KSSG. If Eurovestech continues to hold these shares until completion of the liquidation of KSSG and on the basis that the distribution to shareholders will be approximately 18.5p per share as indicated by the directors of KSSG in its announcement released today, Eurovestech will receive £1.24 million against an original cost of £1.03 million. Richard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Eurovestech PLC stated 'We are pleased to have the opportunity to acquire KSSL, whose business we have followed closely since first investing in KSSG in July 2002. We believe that, under our ownership, the management team will have greater flexibility to develop the business.' Further enquiries: Eurovestech plc Richard Bernstein, Chief Executive Tel: 020 7491 0770 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings