Haynes Adds Pro Mechanics to its Portfolio

Haynes Publishing Group P.L.C., the world leader in automotive repair manuals with total sales exceeding 150 million, has considerably expanded its operation with the acquisition of Vivid Holdings BV today, Friday 29 February 2008.

Vivid is a Dutch-based provider of technical information to the professional automotive market - which is widely used by professional mechanics engaged in servicing, maintaining and repairing automobiles and heavy trucks. The Vivid products are offered in multiple languages and are available in on-line web-delivered versions or in DVD format.

The Vivid database covers 6,500 European and Asian vehicle models and is available in 19 languages. This means Haynes is now the market leader in the supply of digital technical information to the professional automotive market in continental Europe with a product that is used by over 25,000 repair facilities.

Speaking about the acquisition, Eric Oakley, Group Chief Executive, Haynes Publishing, said: "We have also acquired the in-house skills for language translation, web development, DVD production and copy protection security. This opens up the possibility of internet-based products in markets where printed manuals would be too costly."

In the multi-million Euro deal, Haynes has secured the services of the key founders of Vivid, who will be important for the future growth and development of the Vivid Group. Haynes can now incorporate the Australian technical database it gained with the acquisition of Bookworks in 2007 into the Vivid product offering.

Oakley went on to say: "Haynes is the market leader throughout the English speaking world in car and motorcycle manuals for motorists wishing to avoid large bills for servicing and maintenance. We can now take Vivid products to new geographical markets where Haynes has a strong presence but Vivid does not - Haynes will cater for both DIY and professional mechanics".

Buying Vivid will help Haynes expand its current core product range into new products and new markets. This is a major strategic step for Haynes which is financially well placed to pursue other new opportunities as they arise.

Johannes Beentjes, Managing Director of Vivid, said: "Both Vivid and Haynes are passionate about the automotive industry. It is a marriage of two companies with the same business philosophies and culture and represents an exciting development."

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