Following recent changes in management, Vedior now sells its trademark company Markgraaf.

Proceeds of € 25 million.

Sale in line with previous announcements: divestment of all non staffing activities.

Markgraaf will benefit further growth in combination with other trademark company.

Following the strategic decision to focus its activities on staffing, Vedior has reached agreement with the private equity firms Halder, NIB Capital Private Equity and Pricoa Capital on the sale of its international trademark company Markgraaf for a sum of approximately € 25 million. In August 1999, Vedior sold all its cleaning activities (Abilis and TMG).

Commenting on this step, Tony Martin, Chairman of Vedior, said: "We are pleased to announce this sale. It completes our divestment in non staffing activities, and allows us to focus on staffing only. We have managed to ensure a good future for our trademark company and its people".

Markgraaf is a specialist in the protection of trademarks and designs. It has offices in the Netherlands (2), the United Kingdom (4) and France (1), and approximately 200 employees. Halder, NIB Capital Private Equity and Pricoa Capital will also acquire the shares of the Swiss trademark and patent group Novamark with offices in France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Belgium, and approximately 120 employees. The combination of Markgraaf and Novamark, which both enjoy a strong position in their home markets, will create a leading player in the European market for intellectual property services, and will benefit further growth. The share transfer is expected to take place before the end of August 2000.

With annual pro forma combined sales of exceeding € 6 billion, Vedior is one of the world’s largest staffing companies. More than 12,500 employees in over 2,000 offices deliver their services in 27 countries worldwide.