Acquisition

Oxford Instruments PLC
05 April 2005


Tuesday 5th April 2005

Oxford Instruments strengthens its leadership of the microanalysis market

Oxford Instruments plc ("Oxford Instruments", the "Company"), the advanced
instrumentation company, announces today that it is has agreed to acquire HKL
Technology A/S (HKL), a leading manufacturer of Electron BackScatter Diffraction
(EBSD) systems, based in Hobro, Denmark. HKL will become part of the Oxford
Instruments Analytical (OIA) business.

Oxford Instruments will pay an initial cash consideration of Euro 3m, plus a
deferred cash consideration of up to a maximum of Euro 1m. The Company will
acquire all of the share capital on completion. The acquisition is expected to
be earnings enhancing for the year to 31st March 2006. HKL sales to year-end
31st December 2004 were Euro 2.5m on which a positive operating profit was made.

HKL, led by Niels-Henrik Schmidt, will provide Oxford Instruments with a
world-class development team and considerable expertise in EBSD product
technology. Oxford Instruments' global sales and service infrastructure will
fully exploit HKL's capabilities, adding a significant competitive advantage
that will give OIA's microanalysis suite of systems a market leading position.

EBSD is used to produce a microstructural analysis of a material. This
information can be used to predict the properties such as corrosion behaviour,
creep, fatigue life, cracking and failure mechanism. It is used in a wide
variety of industries - aerospace, automotive, defence, semiconductors, power
plants, and chemical plants. It is used, for example, in failure analysis, to
check that engine components are protected from corrosive environments that can
cause fatigue and cracking. Its use minimises material wastage and maintenance
costs, and maximises durability and safety.

Nigel Keen, Chairman of Oxford Instruments said: "Following the recent
successful integration of the Metorex acquisition into our Analytical business,
the acquisition of HKL continues our drive to deliver the high calibre products
and services demanded by our customers. The combination of HKL's leading
technology and Oxford Instruments' strength in the microanalysis market is
expected to lead to significant growth opportunities for both businesses.

Oxford Instruments is issuing two further announcements today: the trading
update for year ended 31st March 2005 and the appointment of Jonathan Flint as
Chief Executive.


Enquiries:

Oxford Instruments plc                                   01865 881437
Nigel Keen, Chairman
Martin Lamaison, Financial Director

Hogarth Partnership Limited                              020 7357 9477
Rachel Hirst
Andrew Jaques
Edward Westropp

Notes to Editors

Oxford Instruments plc

Oxford Instruments is a worldwide leader in advanced instrumentation. It is a
recognised leader in several high technologies, including the application of
superconductivity, the creation of low temperatures, and the production and
detection of X-rays. The Company's products are used around the world in
scientific research, industrial chemical analysis and quality control, and
semiconductor processing. Its customers include most of the world's major
international companies, as well as leading research institutes and
universities.

Born out of Oxford University, with over 40 years of continuous product
development, Oxford Instruments comprises of two business groups: Analytical and
Superconductivity. The combined strengths of both groups mean that Oxford
Instruments is well positioned to take advantage of exciting and innovative
opportunities in existing and new markets.




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