Acquisition of Alpha Braze

Bodycote International PLC
9 February 2000


                 Bodycote International plc
                              
             Bodycote acquires Alpha Braze, Inc.
                              
Bodycote   International   plc,  the   international   metal
processing group, announces the acquisition of the whole  of
the  issued  share capital of Alpha Braze, Inc. of  Fremont,
California.

Alpha Braze is one of the largest technical commercial braze
and  turnkey assembly suppliers in North America, and serves
primarily  the semiconductor and electronics industries.  Mr
Richard  Penrose,  Alpha  Braze's former  owner,  will  join
Bodycote  with  responsibility for  operations  in  Northern
California.

Consideration  for  the purchase was  US$6.8  million  (£4.2
million), which is being satisfied as to $5.8 million  (£3.6
million)  by the issue of 1,375,545 shares with the  balance
of $0.97 million (£599,000) paid in cash.

Alpha's  sales for the year ended 31 December 1999  amounted
to  US$4.1  million  (£2.54 million),  and  earnings  before
interest  and  tax on an ongoing basis were  US$1.4  million
(£870,000).  Net assets acquired were US$2.01m  (£1.24m).

The  acquisition  broadens Bodycote's brazing  and  assembly
services   and   expertise  already  offered   in   Southern
California, the Southwest, Midwest, and New England markets.


Enquiries:

John Chesworth
Chief Executive
Bodycote International plc                 Tel: [phone]

Martyn Wilton
Director
Bodycote International plc            Tel:  [phone]

John Hubbard
Director
Bodycote  North America, Inc.         Tel:  [phone]