Press Releases > Statement re: Temporary Suspension Proposed Acquisition of Barrett Marketing Group Inc.

2006-05-18
2006-05-18
Press Release - Weber Shandwick, Financial Communications:

Statement re: Temporary Suspension Proposed Acquisition of Barrett Marketing Group Inc.
Freeplay Energy plc ("Freeplay" or the "Company") (AIM: FRE), the sustainable energy company that captures, stores and delivers electric power to self-powered devices such as radios, torches and mobile phone chargers, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire 100 per cent. of the issued share capital of Barrett Marketing Group Inc ("BMGI"), subject, inter alia, to shareholder approval (the "Acquisition").

Dixie Sales Company Inc. ("Dixie") is a wholly owned subsidiary of BMGI. Dixie is an established sales, marketing, distribution and customer service provider based in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. Dixie provides a full range of services to its customers and suppliers, which includes customer and supplier account management, customer and supplier logistics, consumer call centre services and technical services such as training and education to customers. Dixie's core business includes the sales and marketing of parts to the lawn and garden industry, hand held power tools, generators and as a distributor for wholesale goods such as scooters, quad bikes, go-karts and hand held lawn and garden equipment on behalf of manufacturers. In addition, Dixie provides brand building, sales and marketing support, order management and distribution services for all of Freeplay's products in North America and Caribbean countries.

The Acquisition is conditional upon a number of matters, including the approval of Freeplay's shareholders and Freeplay securing adequate funding for the requirements of the enlarged group.

The Acquisition constitutes a reverse takeover pursuant to the AIM Rules and, as a result, trading in Freeplayís ordinary shares on AIM will be suspended with immediate effect pending publication of an Admission Document in relation to the Acquisition. A further announcement will be made in due course

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:
Freeplay Energy plc†020 7851 2630
Rory Stear, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Weber Shandwick Square Mile†020 7067 0700
Louise Robson or Rachel Taylor

Charles Stanley & Co†020 7067 0700
Mark Taylor or Freddy Crossley

Notes to Editors: Freeplay Energy's core technology revolves around the efficient conversion and storage of applied human energy, and the delivery of this energy on demand as electricity to create self-powered electronic devices. Initial applications include radios (both consumer and humanitarian), torches, mobile phone chargers and standalone foot chargers and the Company has a new product development plan which anticipates broadening the application of its technology into new product categories. Freeplay believes it was first to market and commercialise self-powered technology and that it is recognised as a leading brand in this market for such products.

Established in 1994, the Company today has offices in both London and Cape Town and floated on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange plc in March 2005. Further information about Freeplay Energy and its products can be found at www.freeplayenergy.com.

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