Proposed Change of Name, etc

Vibroplant PLC 16 February 2001 Date: Embargoed until 7.00am, Friday 16 February 2001 Contacts: Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman & Chief Executive Vibroplant plc Tel: 01423 533400 Peter Otero Financial Dynamics Tel: 020 7831 3113 VIBROPLANT PLC ('VIBROPLANT' OR THE 'GROUP') PROPOSED CHANGE OF NAME, ACQUISITION OF FOUR SMALL TOOL BUSINESSES AND REBRANDING OF TOOL HIRE INTERESTS Vibroplant, the specialist equipment hirer, today announced a proposed change to the Group's name, the strengthening of its tool hire interests by the acquisition of four tool businesses and the rebranding of its overall tool hire operations. The Board intends to seek shareholder's approval to change the name of the Group to Vp Plc in order to reflect the Group's primary focus on the specialist rental sector. In addition, the Group has recently completed the acquisition of four small tool businesses. The Group's presence in London has been strengthened with the acquisition of the business and assets of Barham Plant Hire Limited in Wembley. The South West region has expanded into Bath with the acquisition of the business and assets of Roy Francis Plant Hire Limited. The acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Halls Hire Centres Limited with two branches in Derbyshire links the North West, Yorkshire and Midlands regions and the acquisition of the business and assets of Weaver Hire in Runcorn has further improved the coverage of the North West. Total consideration for the above transactions has been paid in cash but is not material in the context of the Vibroplant group. To reflect the recent integration of these businesses, which takes the Group's national tool hire network to 80 branches, the six existing regional businesses have been rebranded with a single national identity, namely Hire Station. Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman & Chief Executive, comments : 'The Board believes that the proposed change of name to Vp Plc better reflects the focus of the Group on the specialist rental sectors where we command strong market positions. In addition, the adoption of the Hire Station brand for our tool hire businesses represents the speed of response, quality of service and universal availability to the customer. We believe that everybody should have access to a local Hire Station.' - ENDS -