Strategic partnership

K3 Business Technology Group PLC
24 May 2001

                       K3 Business Technology Group plc

                    announces £1.4m Strategic Partnership

                    with John Dickinson Stationery Limited

K3 Business Technology Group plc ('K3') is delighted to announce that it has
agreed a strategic partnership with John Dickinson Stationery Limited
('JDSL'). The agreement will see K3's IBS supply chain management system
established in all four of JDSL's sites in the UK. This is part of a £1.4
million, five year ongoing investment programme with K3, that commenced in
year 2000, and will enable JDSL to provide streamlined e-business processes
throughout its operations.

A key part of the contract is to provide electronic management of JDSL's
supply chain, including E-manufacturing, through trading with both customers
(E-sales) and suppliers (E-procurement) over the Internet.

JDSL is the UK's leading producer of quality envelopes, books, pads and
personal stationery. Its manufacturing resource provides envelope capacity in
excess of 3.5 billion per annum, and book and pad capacity of over 40 million
units.

The company has undertaken a long term commitment to its customers through the
implementation of the IBS system which will ensure quality, timely production
and delivery of its products.

K3 won the contract against stiff competition. The 224 concurrent user, fully
integrated ERP system includes manufacturing control, EIS analysis and
financial control for all four sites in the Group. This will enable full
visibility across the company and puts in place an efficient IT business
infrastructure for the future.

Richard Evans, Chief Executive of John Dickinson, comments, 'We're investing,
refocusing and growing the business, with K3 as our IT Partner of Choice. The
concentration of our manufacturing facilities onto our four sites at Sawston,
Washington, Haddenham and Ledbury along with a £5 million investment programme
for machinery, pre-press equipment and computer software is already delivering
tremendous benefits. We are creating a solid, low-cost foundation on which to
drive our business forward in a totally customer-focused approach.'

K3 CEO, Andy Makeham comments, 'This is a great example of how we are working
in partnership with our key clients. JDSL is already seeing real benefits from
the relationship and we are now in a position to introduce ongoing initiatives
to ensure JDSL capitalise on the investments made to date.'

Press enquiries:

K3 Business Technology Group  Andy Makeham, chief executive  Tel: [phone]
                              David Bolton, finance director