Acquisition

2 March 2012

LAIRD EXPANDS ITS EMI SHIELDING AND WIRELESS SYSTEMS CAPABILITIES WITH TWO ACQUISITIONS

Laird PLC ("Laird"), a global technology company focused on providing components and solutions that protect electronic devices from electromagnetic interference and heat, and that enable wireless connectivity through wireless applications and antennae systems, today announces two bolt-on acquisitions which strengthen its existing EMI shielding and M2M (machine to machine) businesses, in-line with its strategic focus. These acquisitions will be satisfied from Laird's existing banking facilities.

Emerson & Cuming - a global leader in microwave absorber technology for wireless and satellite communications, military and aerospace, automotive, electronics, RFID and medical markets

The acquisition of Microwave Materials Group, the holding company of Emerson & Cuming Microwave Products ("Emerson & Cuming"), is for a cash consideration of €22.5 million (£18.8 million) on a debt and cash free basis. The acquisition is subject to certain regulatory approvals and is currently expected to complete during the second quarter of 2012.

Emerson & Cuming is a global leader in the development and manufacture of microwave absorbing materials, low-loss dielectrics (used as insulation within printed circuit boards) and electrically conductive shielding materials. This builds on Laird's existing EMI shielding and absorber product range for higher frequency, more powerful electronic devices and allows Laird to offer customers a full range of shielding materials, critical to the effective performance of electronic devices. It also allows Laird to leverage its strong Asian footprint to extend Emerson & Cuming's presence outside the US and Europe.

Summit Data Communications ("Summit") - a provider of secure and reliable wireless connectivity for blue chip customers in niche industrial and medical markets

The acquisition of Summit is for a cash consideration of $22 million (£13.8 million) on a debt and cash free basis, plus a potential earn-out of $8 million payable in 2014 if certain performance targets are met.

The acquisition expands Laird's presence in the wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) market. Summit develops non-cellular WLAN M2M modules specifically designed to allow wireless systems to function efficiently in harsh radio frequency environments, such as factories and hospitals. This builds on Laird's existing capability in wireless solutions that combine hardware and software.

Commenting on these acquisitions, Executive Chairman Nigel Keen, said:

"These acquisitions will strengthen our capability in two high growth markets. As electronic devices become more powerful, then the requirements for shielding change. Emerson & Cuming provides us with a broader range of specialist products that we can offer to existing customers and gives us the opportunity to expand our customer base. The acquisition of Summit allows us to develop further our wireless connectivity offering, adding products to our range that allow wireless systems to function efficiently in difficult radio frequency environments like factories and hospitals. Both acquisitions will be earnings enhancing in the current year, and will make a positive contribution to the Laird brand."

Notes:

About Laird

Laird is a global technology company focused on providing components and solutions that protect electronic devices from electromagnetic interference and heat, and that enable connectivity through wireless applications and antennae systems.

About Microwave Materials Group and Emerson & Cuming Microwave Products

MMG is a privately owned company providing products and engineered solutions for the wireless and satellite communications, military and aerospace, automotive, RFID and medical markets. These are sold to a wide customer base under the ECCOSORB®, ECCOSTOCK®, ECCOSHIELD® and ECCOPAD® brands.

For the year ended 31 December 2011, Emerson & Cuming's revenues were €16.3 million (£13.6 million). Revenues in 2011 increased over the previous year by 20%.

http://www.eccosorb.eu/

About Summit Data Communications

Summit is a privately owned company, providing industrial-grade and medical-grade wireless modules. Summit's rugged Wi-Fi products provide secure and reliable wireless connectivity for devices such as data collection terminals and medical equipment that operate in harsh radio frequency environments such as factories, warehouses, and hospitals. More than 1.5 million Summit wireless modules are in use today at companies of all sizes around the world.

For the year ended 31 December 2011 Summit's revenues were $17.2 million (£10.8 million). Revenues increased over the previous year by 13%.

http://www.summitdata.com/