Acquisition(s)

ASHTEAD GROUP PLC - Acquisition(s)

PR Newswire

London, May 10

Ashtead Group PLC ("Ashtead") announces that it has acquired Accession GroupLimited ("Accession"), including its principal trading subsidiary Eve TrakwayLimited, for a consideration¹ of £28 million which was paid in cash at closing². Additional cash consideration of £7 million may also become payabledepending on Accession's profits in the year to 28 March 2014.

Accession, which is based in Derbyshire and has seven locations across theUnited Kingdom, is a specialist rental provider of temporary access solutionsand traffic management to the events and industrial sectors. In the year to 31March 2012, Accession reported revenues of £26 million.

Geoff Drabble, Chief executive, commented:

"We are delighted to conclude this acquisition in line with our long termstrategy of developing high value added speciality businesses which broaden ourproduct offering and the markets we serve. It also provides us withcross-selling opportunities to further improve our existing business."

Contacts:

Geoff Drabble Chief executive ) 020 7726 9700

Suzanne Wood Finance director )

Brian Hudspith Maitland 020 7379 5151

¹ Including the amount paid to settle Accession's net debt at closing.

² Accession was acquired from a private investment group comprised of membersof the management team and other investors.