Acquisition

Acal PLC
16 May 2003


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                16 MAY 2003



ACAL plc

(A leading pan-European, value added distributor providing specialist design-in,
sales and marketing services for international suppliers)



Acquisition of Computer Parts International Limited



Acal plc announces the acquisition of 70% of the issued share capital of
Computer Parts International Limited ("CPI") from its management and 3i Group
plc.



CPI's principal activity is the provision of service parts and related logistics
services for mid-range and higher-end computers.  It is based in the UK and
approximately 70% of its sales are in the UK with the rest mainly in Continental
Europe and the USA.



During its financial year ended 30 June 2002 it had sales of £14.1m and profit
before taxation of £1.0 million.  At 30 June 2002 the net tangible assets of CPI
were £2.2 million.



The consideration for the acquisition of Acal's 70% interest was £5.8 million
and was paid for in cash.  The remaining 30% of CPI's shares ("the Remaining
Shares") will continue to be held by its management and employees ("the
Remaining Shareholders").  The Remaining Shareholders will have the option to
sell the Remaining Shares to Acal at an aggregate consideration of between £2.5
million and £7.3 million depending upon the future performance of CPI and Acal
will have the option to buy the Remaining Shares for an aggregate consideration
of £7.3 million.  If these options are not exercised or exercisable then any
purchase of the Remaining Shares will be by negotiation at the time.



Commenting on the acquisition, John Curry, Chairman of Acal plc said:-



"CPI has established a reputation for reliability and high service standards in
a business which is complementary to Acal's IT Parts Services business.  We look
forward to working with the CPI team to grow and develop the business both in
the UK and globally, and expect the acquisition to be earnings enhancing."





For further information:-

John Curry  Chairman                       01483 544500

Jim Virdee  Finance Director              01483 544500

Brian Coleman-Smith / Amanda Sheehy       020 7398 3300

Beattie Financial





Notes to Editors:-



1                     The Acal Group is a leading European, value-added
distributor providing specialist design-in, sales and marketing services for
international suppliers in the fields of Electronic Components, Information
Technology Products, IT Parts Services and Industrial Controls.  Its value-added
philosophy and geographic coverage enables Acal to provide specialist knowledge
and support to customers on a pan-European basis.



2                     Design-in is the process by which Acal's sales engineers
work with customers and suppliers to procure components which meet the specific
technical and performance needs of the customers.



3                     Acal has operating companies in the UK, Netherlands,
Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Scandinavia and the USA.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange