AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, May 25, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Wolters Kluwer Legal, Tax & Regulatory Europe today announced the completion of the acquisition of De Agostini Professionale and Utet Professionale in Italy. De Agostini Professionale and Utet Professionale, with total revenues of approximately Euro 70 million, will further strengthen Wolters Kluwer's position in the Italian information market. Wolters Kluwer reached an agreement on the acquisition of De Agostini Professionale and Utet Professionale in January 2005. This agreement now has been completed, following review and approval by antitrust authorities.
De Agostini Professionale and Utet Professionale are leading publishing companies with total revenues of approximately Euro 70 million and 160 employees, and enjoy an excellent reputation in the legal, tax, and business markets with well established brands as De Agostini Professionale, Utet Professionale, ETI, and Leggi d'Italia.
"The acquisition of De Agostini Professionale and Utet Professionale creates many opportunities for Wolters Kluwer to expand into new market segments of professional publishing, such as public administration in Italy," says Rolv Eide, CEO Wolters Kluwer Legal, Tax & Regulatory Europe.
About Wolters Kluwer
Wolters Kluwer Legal, Tax & Regulatory Europe, a division of Wolters Kluwer, focuses on the growth potential of six customer segments: legal; fiscal/financial; human resources; public & government administration; health, safety & environment (HSE); and transport. With a well-established presence in over 15 countries, Wolters Kluwer Legal, Tax & Regulatory Europe has annual revenues (2004) of Euro 1.296 million and employs approximately 8,000 people. Wolters Kluwer has annual revenues (2004) of Euro 3.3 billion, employs approximately 18,400 people worldwide and maintains operations across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific.
Media Yvette van Braam Morris, Communications Manager Wolters Kluwer Legal, Tax & Regulatory Europe t + 31 (0)20 6070 338 press@wolterskluwer.com Investors/Analysts Oya Yavuz, Vice President, Investor Relations Wolters Kluwer nv t + 31 (0)20 6070 407 ir@wolterskluwer.com www.wolterskluwer.com www.ipsoa.it www.deagostini.it