AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, June 24, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Wolters Kluwer, a leading multinational publisher and information services company, has completed the divestiture of Bohmann, an Austrian publishing company, to its management. Financial details on the management buy-out will not be disclosed.Bohmann, located in Vienna, Austria, is one of the leading Austrian publishers of trade journals in the areas of transport and travel, craftsmanship and environmental issues. These publications are no longer consistent with Wolters Kluwer's core activities.
"The divestiture of Bohmann from Wolters Kluwer reflects Wolters Kluwer's announced strategy of focusing on its core activities," stated Andre Raven, CEO of Wolters Kluwer Central Europe. "We are very pleased that we were able to come to an agreement with the management regarding their acquisition of the company. It's a win-win situation for both Wolters Kluwer and Bohmann."
The divestiture will allow Wolters Kluwer to grow its Central European business even faster in the fiscal, financial and legal publishing areas. "Central Europe plays an important part in Wolters Kluwer's growth strategy," said Andre Raven, "and we will be looking at different ways we can increase our presence here." Wolters Kluwer has activities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Russia. Wolters Kluwer has leading market positions with well-known brands among professionals such as Lex and ABC in Poland, Jogtar in Hungary and ASPI in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
About Wolters Kluwer
Wolters Kluwer NV (Euronext Amsterdam:WKL) is a leading multinational publisher and information services company. The Company's core markets are in the health, tax, accounting, corporate, financial services, legal and regulatory, and education sectors. As of 2003, Wolters Kluwer has annual revenues of EUR 3.4 billion, employs approximately 19,500 people worldwide, and maintains operations across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its depositary receipts are quoted on the Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices.
Media
Caroline Wouters Vice President, Corporate Communications t + 31 (0)20 6070 459 press@wolterskluwer.com
Investors/Analysts
Oya Yavuz Vice President, Investor Relations t + 31 (0)20 6070 407 ir@wolterskluwer.com
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