Press Release: Pitmans Acts For PPE Limited In Its Sale to HL Display AB

For immediate release January 2010 PITMANS ACTS FOR PPE LIMITED IN ITS SALE TO HL DISPLAY AB Pitmans, a leading commercial law firm in the Thames Valley, has acted on behalf of the shareholders of PPE Limited in the sale of their shares to HL Display AB (publ), in a deal worth up to £27 million. The transaction was led by Pitmans Corporate Partner, Adam Dowdney. Commenting on the transaction, Adam Dowdney, Pitmans Corporate Partner said: “It was very satisfying to conclude the sale of PPE in these current difficult market conditions, on such a tight timescale and to achieve the goals of the selling shareholders. The deal involved a cash payment up front with a deferred element of consideration and earn-out over a three year period, with the confidentiality issues of selling to a Swedish listed company adding an extra level of complexity. There were a number of cross-departmental issues involved, and our ability to deal with them in an efficient manner is an excellent endorsement of the strength of the Pitmans team.” Harlow-based PPE Limited are a leading supplier of bespoke displays and merchandising equipment. The company was founded in 1971 by the father of Neil & Nigel Parker, the selling shareholders, and has enjoyed significant growth in recent years. Stockholm-based HL Display AB (publ) are a leading international supplier of products and solutions for merchandising and in-store communication, servicing 33 countries worldwide in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and are listed on the Nasdaq OMX Nordic Small Cap list. -Ends- For further information, please contact: Jackie Tang, Pitmans, jtang@pitmans.com 0118 957 0274 / 07881 817199 Susan Maloney, Pitmans, smaloney@pitmans.com 0118 957 0225 NOTES TO EDITORS: • Winner of ‘Law Firm of the Year’ and ‘Deal of the Year’ at the 2008/09 Thames Valley Deals Awards • 7th largest law Firm in the South East of England, outside of London • Pitmans has offices in London and Reading • 1 Crown Court, 66 Cheapside, London EC2V 6LR • 47 Castle Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 7SR • The Anchorage, 34 Bridge Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 2LU • 31 Partners • Staff members now total more than 200 • Pitmans is the Thames Valley’s leading commercial law firm, with 22 departments ranging from Banking & Finance, Commercial, Commercial Property, Competition Law, Construction, Corporate, Debt Recovery, Defendant Insurance, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Information Technology, Insolvency & Corporate Recovery, Intellectual Property, Pensions, Planning & Environment, Private Client: Matrimonial, Private Tax & Succession Planning; Residential Development, Risk & Compliance, Sport & Entertainment, Telecommunications • The Pensions Department has the largest team of Pension lawyers in the South East outside of London and the biggest law firm owned Independent Trustee company in the UK (Pitmans Trustee Ltd). • Pitmans’ website can be found at www.pitmans.com • Pitmans is a founder member of InterAct Europe EEIG, a network of Law firms in Europe – www.interacteurope.com Kind regards Susan Maloney Marketing Executive Pitmans The Anchorage, 34 Bridge Street • Reading • Berkshire • RG1 2LU DX 146420 READING 21 T: +44 (0) 118 958 0224 F: +44 (0) 118 958 5097 DD: + 44(0) 118 957 0225 W: www.pitmans.com Also at: 1 Crown Court • 66 Cheapside • London • EC2V 6LR 47 Castle Street • Reading • Berkshire • RG1 7SR