Acquisition

RNS Number:9358W
Hyder Consulting PLC
25 March 2004

           Hyder Consulting Plc ("Hyder Consulting" or the "Company")

         Acquisitions, trading update and share capital reorganisation


Hyder Consulting, the international engineeringdesign, advisory and specialist
management consultancy, is pleased to announce two acquisitions, a positive
trading update and the completion of its share capital reorganisation.

ACP

Hyder Consulting has entered into an agreement to acquire thebusiness and
assets of Adamus Consulting Practice ("ACP"), a consulting engineering business
based in Sydney. Consideration is a minimum guaranteed cash amount of A$1.25m
(#0.5m) largely payable in two tranches in the first six months following
completion. In addition, further deferred cash consideration may become payable,
dependent on ACP meeting certain profit targets, up to an additional maximum sum
of A$1.5m (#0.6m).

ACP has 17 staff and provides consultancy solutions covering building services,
diagnostics and ecologically sustainable development to corporate clients,
developers and contractors. The Company expects the acquisition to enhance the
scale and profitability of its business in Australia. In the year ended 30 June
2003,ACP made pre-tax profits of A$259,000 (#108,000). The assets being
acquired amount to A$100,000 (#41,000).

Acerplan

In addition, Hyder Consulting has acquired the remaining 10.5% minority interest
in Acerplan Planungsgesellschaft mbH ("Acerplan"), the Company's German
subsidiary, for a net cash consideration of Euro 0.4m (#0.3m). Following this
acquisition, Acerplan is now a 100% owned subsidiary of the Company.

Trading update

Trading in the Company's key territories continues to be good and the Directors
anticipate that results in the current year ending 31 March 2004 will be
slightly ahead of market expectations.

Share capital reorganisation

At a hearing on 17 March 2004, the Court has approved the Company's reduction of
share capital and cancellation of share premium account, originally announced on
23 December 2003. Following this approval, the Company is able to commence the
payment of dividends and the Directors anticipate paying a nominal maiden
dividend for thecurrent year ending 31 March 2004. Thereafter, the Directors
intend to adopt a progressive dividend policy, maintaining an appropriate level
of dividend cover whilst taking into account growth in earnings and future
expansion plans.

Tim Wade, Chief Executive of Hyder Consulting commented, "I am delighted to
announce these transactions, which will make an immediate contribution to
earnings. In line with our strategy, other in-fill acquisitions will follow in
due course as we identify quality,specialist consultancies that will
consolidate our strong skill base." 

For further details:

Tim Wade, Chief Executive, Hyder Consulting Plc            Tel: 020 7316 6000

Simon Hamilton-Eddy, Financial and Commercial Director,    
Hyder Consulting Plc                                       Tel: 020 7316 6000       

Shane Dolan, Biddicks                                      Tel: 020 7448 1000



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

END
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