20th May 2005 07:01
Kingston Communications(Hull)PLC20 May 2005 20 May 2005 KINGSTON COMMUNICATIONS (HULL) PLC (KCOM.L) DISPOSAL OF ARCHE COMMUNICATIONS SAS Kingston Communications (HULL) PLC ("Kingston") today announces the disposal ofOmnetica France Holdco SA and its subsidiary, Arche Communications SAS("Arche"), the French operation of the Omnetica Group ("Omnetica") acquired byKingston on 31 December 2004, to the Telindus Group NV ("Telindus"). The disposal is for a cash consideration of Euros 47 million, on a cash and debtfree basis. Kingston will use the proceeds to reduce bank debt. The transaction is expected to complete during the summer of 2005, and isconditional only on approval by the French Competition Authorities. Founded in 1991, Arche is a data network integrator and managed servicesprovider with a leading market position in France within the network consultingand integration segment. In the year ended 30 September 2004, Arche had revenuesof Euros 95 million, EBITDA of Euros 6.4 million and net assets of Euros 6.3million. Telindus, headquartered in Belgium, is an international ICT company offeringsecure network-based solutions and services to businesses and the public sector. Commenting on the disposal, Malcolm Fallen, Chief Executive of Kingston, said:"The sale of Arche allows us to focus fully on our UK operations and inparticular on the opportunities for Affiniti, our differentiated communicationsintegration business we have created by combining Omnetica, Technica andKingston's Business Services operation." ENDS For further information, please contact: Kingston Communications (HULL) PLCGroup Director of CommunicationsAnita PaceTel: 01482 602666Mobile: 07770 744322 The Maitland ConsultancyColin BrowneTel: 020 7379 5151Mobile: 07733 103800 Note to Editors About Kingston Communications Kingston Communications is a leading provider of communications solutions,providing a wide range of voice, data, internet and contact centre services tobusinesses and public sector organisations throughout the UK. Kingston is a converged communications company with expertise and experience inboth telecommunications and enterprise networking, supported by its own 2200kmbroadband network. As such, it is ideally positioned to meet the infrastructure,equipment and connectivity requirements of modern organisations, for whomcommunications is a strategic consideration. Kingston's national capabilities have been built on its strong foundationswithin East Yorkshire, where the company has been providing leading edgeservices to residential and business customers for over 100 years and where ithas been a pioneer in the use of ADSL technology. In December 2004 Kingston acquired Omnetica Holdings Ltd, specialists in theprovision of converged IP networks; and in March 2005 it acquired Technica, aleading supplier of network storage services. Last month, it launched Affiniti,which combined Kingston's Business Services Division, Omnetica and Technica tocreate a unique communications integration business. The Kingston Group also includes Eclipse Internet, an established and growingbroadband ISP that delivers internet connectivity and services to businesses andconsumers throughout the UK. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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