MXM Maxima Hldgs

RNS Number:5728A
Maxima Holdings PLC
20 July 2007

Embargoed for 7am                                                   20 July 2007

                              Maxima Holdings plc

                      Acquisition of Centric Networks Ltd

Maxima Holdings plc, (AIM: MXM), the acquisitive IT solutions and managed
services company, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Centric Networks
Limited ("Centric") for a total consideration of up to #6.4m payable in cash and
shares.

Centric provides managed services for infrastructure software to a broad range
of clients in the mid-market. The acquisition is in line with Maxima's
consolidation strategy within the fragmented IT services sector. The Board
anticipates that it will be earnings enhancing in the current financial year
ending 31 May 2008.

Centric's skills lie in operating systems, networking, security and remote
access. These skills are packaged into a managed service conforming with ITIL
(Information Technology Infrastructure Library) guidelines. The service
generally embraces remote monitoring, for which a range of tools have been
developed, and provision of helpdesk services. Centric frequently manages the
hosting and maintenance of client's systems in third party datacentres. Centric
is a Cisco Premier partner (network equipment), a Citrix Silver partner (remote
access software), a Checkpoint Silver partner (security software) and a
Microsoft Certified partner (infrastructure software).

For the year ended 30 June 2006, Centric had revenues of #2.00 million and
profit before tax of #0.55 million. Net assets at 30 June 2006 were #0.72
million. Management accounts show a compound annual growth rate for revenues of
approximately 100% over the last 2 years. At completion, Centric had cash
balances of #1.47 million and no debt. Based near Stansted with 41 employees,
Centric will be immediately integrated with Maxima's existing infrastructure
managed service business. The management team, who own all the shares in
Centric, have expressed commitment to remain with the business as part of the
Maxima group, with the exception of Gerry Redman, part-time finance manager and
company secretary, who plans to retire after supporting a short handover period.

The consideration of up to #6.4 million will be satisfied by a cash payment of
#4.4 million and the issue of up to 646,831 new ordinary shares in Maxima
("Consideration Shares"). The issue of 25% of the Consideration Shares are
subject to an earn-out dependent upon the performance of Centric in the 12
months to 31 May 2009 ("Earn Out"). Maxima will apply to AIM on completion for
admission of the 485,123 Consideration Shares to be issued on completion and in
July 2009 for the Consideration Shares linked to the Earn Out. On admission, the
Consideration Shares will rank pari passu with the existing ordinary shares.
Funding for the purchase is from debt under existing facilities with Barclays
Bank plc.

Centric was advised by Westchester Technology Associates LLP.

Commenting on the acquisition, Kelvin Harrison, Chief Executive said:

"I am delighted to welcome the Centric Networks team into the Maxima Group. This
transaction builds upon our existing infrastructure software skills which have
been developed since the acquisition of Intertech in November 2006 and 3net in
May 2007. It greatly reinforces Maxima's total of IT solutions and managed
services offering to the mid-market."

Fraser Fisher, Managing Director of Centric, added:

"Joining Maxima provides us with the ideal opportunity to increase the range of
skills that we can offer to our clients and to continue our strong growth
record."

For further information, please contact:

Maxima
Kelvin Harrison, Chief Executive                         01242 211211
Linda Andrews, Group Finance Director                    0141 880 1000

Smithfield
Tania Wild / Reg Hoare                                   020 7360 4900

Notes to editors:

Maxima Holdings plc floated on AIM in November 2004 at an issue price of 110p.
It was established to acquire businesses supplying IT solutions and managed
services, with the objective of building a focused IT services group. On
flotation it immediately acquired Azur Holdings Ltd, bringing together a
management team with the skill, experience and incentive to deliver significant
shareholder value, through a combination of acquisitive and organic growth. The
business implements and supports enterprise and infrastructure software
solutions for mid-sized, UK-based manufacturing, distribution and service
organisations. These solutions are based upon leading software suites as well as
products developed in-house.

It has since made a further eight acquisitions:

   *August 2005 - Ringwood Group plc, a specialist in content and document
    management solutions, based on Microsoft technologies;
   *September 2005 - Hanston Technology Partners Ltd, a fast growing managed
    services business providing applications support and consultancy services to
    Oracle users;
   *January 2006 - The MFG/PRO business of Seabrook Research Ltd, the sole
    Irish distributor of MFG/PRO, a manufacturing package for which Maxima was
    already the sole UK distributor;
   *May 2006 - QED Business Systems Ltd, which provides managed services for
    critical mainframe and mid-range computer systems and applications software;
   *October 2006 - Cognition Solutions Ltd, provider of enterprise software
    solutions to the construction and facilities management sector; and
   *November 2006 - IIL (Intertech Solutions Ireland) Ltd, which provides IT
    infrastructure solutions and managed services based upon Citrix
    technologies; and
   *March 2007 - SevenThree Ltd, supplier of customer relationship management
    software solutions to the construction sector
   *May 2007 - 3net Limited, an IT Services business, providing consultancy,
    solutions delivery and managed services in networking and security
    infrastructure.

Maxima has grown to become an IT systems integration and managed services
company with a proven track record of delivering innovative and flexible IT
solutions and services. Maxima's in-depth knowledge of industry and business,
coupled with its skills and understanding of leading software suites such as
Oracle, Microsoft and SAP ensures its solutions and services deliver real
business benefits. The group prides itself on the quality of its service, which
leads to strong customer relationships and high retention rates.




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

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