RNS Number:4555J
Brammer PLC
01 April 2003



1 April 2003


                                  BRAMMER plc.

                       ACQUIRES REMAINING 51% INTEREST IN

                       KNS AANDRIJFTECHNIEK B.V., HOLLAND



Brammer, the European industrial services group, today announces that it has
acquired the remaining 51% interest in KNS for a consideration of Euro 5,801,635 to
be paid in two instalments on 5 January, 2004 ( Euro 3,000,000 ) and 2 July, 2004
(Euro 2,801,635 ).





The highlights of the announcement are:



*          Brammer Industrial Services' operations in the UK, France, Germany,
Spain, Benelux and Austria form the largest specialist business supplying
bearings, power transmission products and related value added services, in the
EU market.

*        KNS, whose business is similar to that of Brammer, operates in the
Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Germany.  Its customer base includes a broad
range of industrial companies and it is an authorised distributor for some of
the world's leading bearing manufacturers, a number of whom are common to
Brammer.


*        Brammer has established a close relationship with KNS and has
identified further opportunities to expand its product range and branch network.
  In particular, Brammer will continue to support KNS in the development of its
power transmission business, an important growth area.



*        The Acquisition will strengthen the position of Brammer in dealing with
pan-European customers and is another big step forward towards a full European
coverage.



*        The vendor of the business, Mr. Nico Schon, will remain with the
business as Managing Director.





Commenting on the acquisition, Mr Ian Fraser, Brammer's Chief Executive, said:



"Our customers and suppliers are increasingly looking for Europe-wide support.
This is a significant strategic move, giving us coverage in another important
European market.  It strengthens our position as a pan-European distributor and
increases our potential for economies of scale and enhanced market standing."





Further information



Further information on the business is available from the KNS website,
www.aknbearing.com





Enquiries:          Brammer plc                 0161 928 3363
David Dunn, Chairman
Ian Fraser, Chief executive



Issued by:         Citigate Dewe Rogerson       020 7638 9571
Martin Jackson


                                  BRAMMER plc

                       ACQUIRES REMAINING 51% INTEREST IN

                       KNS AANDRIJFTECHNIEK B.V., HOLLAND





Introduction



The Board of Brammer plc ("Brammer") announces that it has acquired the
remaining 51% interest in KNS Aandrijftechniek B.V. ("KNS").  The price of Euro
5,801,635 is based on KNS average profits for 2000, 2001 and 2002.  Brammer will
also assume borrowings of  Euro 4.2 million.  Euro 3,000,000 of the consideration is
payable at the 5 January, 2004 the remaining amount at the 2 July, 2004.



In 2002 KNS made profits before tax and extraordinary items of Euro 1.7 million
(#1.1 million) on sales of  Euro 26.9 million (#17.5 million).  Net assets at 31
December 2002 were Euro 4.6 million  (#3.0 million).





Information on KNS



KNS is the holding company for a group of companies operating in the
Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Germany.  The principal business is the sale
of bearings and other industrial consumables to a broad range of industrial
companies.  Approximately 93% of the group's sales are in the Benelux and it is
estimated that KNS, which in most areas trades under the name AKN, has a 10%
share of the Dutch bearing market.



The KNS group is an authorised distributor for some of the world's leading
bearing manufacturers.  A number of its key suppliers, such as NSK and Timken,
are common to Brammer.



KNS, whose headquarters are in Haarlem, has six branches in the Netherlands and
three branches in Belgium, together with branches in Austria and Germany.  Over
the last few years KNS has expanded rapidly and the newer branches are not yet
profitable.



Brammer has acquired the remaining 51% interest to further strengthen its
position as the number one partner for pan-European customers.





Background to and reasons for the acquisition of KNS



Brammer's principal distribution subsidiaries are:



BSL in the United Kingdom

THF in Germany

Roulement Service in France

Rodamientos USA in Spain



In most of these markets Brammer is the largest specialist distributor of
bearings and power transmission products.



Brammer believes that its suppliers are increasingly developing Europe-wide
distribution policies.  In addition, its customers are increasing their tendency
to buy on a European basis.  This presents an opportunity for a limited number
of pan-European distributors to emerge.  Brammer's strategy is to expand
geographically across Europe, thus keeping in step with these market
developments.  This strategy should produce benefits through both economies of
scale and enhanced market standing.



KNS has a similar operating philosophy to Brammer but the range of products
carried and the suppliers represented is narrower and accordingly Brammer will
seek to support the developing growth opportunities.  Benefits should also be
obtained by improvements in stock turn and service levels.



In the rapidly changing European market, KNS offers an opportunity for Brammer
to expand its distribution coverage in a market it understands well.







                                    - ENDS -








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