5 October 2012
G4S plc
G4S strengthens Belgian portfolio with key acquisitions
G4S, the world's leading international secure outsourcing group, has today announced the acquisition of two companies from the ASC-Group, an integrated Belgium-based safety solutions business.
The companies (ASC NV and ASC Safety Services BVBA) provide services including; expert fire and safety personnel; health and safety training; and the rental, sale and maintenance of safety equipment to Belgian businesses and industry.
This acquisition will enable G4S Belgium to diversify and broaden its reach into the higher growth and higher margin niche safety market, supporting the company's growth ambitions. Growth in the traditional security market in Belgium is limited due to mature market conditions.
G4S Secure Solutions NV in Belgium is paying approximately £2.975m (€3.7m) in cash to ASC-Group's owners Haann BVBA, Mr Hans Buitendijk and Ms Ann Van Durme for 100% of the two acquired businesses.
The ASC-Group was founded in 1994 by its current CEO, Mr Hans Buitendijk and has since become the second largest company in Belgium in the area of fire and safety.
Jean-Paul Van Avermaet, CEO, G4S Belgium and G4S Luxembourg, said: "The acquisitions support our plans to expand our security offering with the fire, health and safety services, and training solutions sectors and further underlines the Group's vision to become the recognised global leader for security solutions."
For further enquiries, please contact:
Helen Parris (Director of Investor Relations) : +44 (0)1293 554400
Media enquiries:
Adam Mynott (Director of Media Relations): +44 (0)1293 554400
Piers Zangana (Media Relations Manager): +44 (0)7711 385 303
Notes to editors:
About G4S
G4S is the world's leading international secure outsourcing group, which specialises in outsourced business processes in sectors where security and safety risks are considered a strategic threat.
G4S is the largest employer quoted on the London Stock Exchange and has a secondary stock exchange listing in Copenhagen. G4S has operations in more than 125 countries and over 657,000 employees.
For more information on G4S, visit www.g4s.com