RNS Number:8360M
International Greetings PLC
27 May 2005


27 May 2005
                          International Greetings PLC

           International Greetings strengthened by major acquisition

International Greetings PLC ("IG" or "the Group") (AIM: IGR), the leading
designer and manufacturer of private label greetings products, wrapping paper
and film and television character based licensed stationery, today announces the
acquisition of Anker International PLC ("Anker") for a total consideration of up
to #35.5 million.

Established in 1971, Anker is an international design, import and distribution
business with offices and facilities in the United Kingdom, its primary market,
and in Hong Kong and Holland. It supplies a wide assortment of greetings,
festive, stationery and photographic gift products which both complement and add
to the Group's existing ranges.

For the year ended 31 December 2004 Anker's turnover amounted to #39 million,
with an adjusted profit before tax* of #4.2 million. Net assets as at 31
December 2004 amounted to #20.4 million, including freehold property with a net
book value of #13.2 million.

The maximum total consideration for the acquisition is #35.5 million, which
comprises #12.5 million payable by the issue of 3,294,242 new IG ordinary shares
and #23 million in cash. #12.5 million of the cash consideration is payable on
completion, with the balance of up to #10.5 million payable after 12 months, of
which #0.5 million is dependent on Anker achieving a certain level of
profitability. IG has today applied for the admission of these new ordinary
shares to AIM.

Paul Fineman, aged 45, Chief Executive of Anker, will join the board of
International Greetings as an executive director, with immediate effect.

Commenting, Nick Fisher, Joint Chief Executive of International Greetings said:
"The acquisition of Anker is a major step forward for the Group. The transaction
further strengthens our international position and is immediately earnings
enhancing. We expect to see additional synergy benefits in the future, as we
explore many integration opportunities."

"We are also delighted to welcome Paul Fineman to the Board. He brings with him
a wealth of experience in Far East trading, which will be a major complement to
our long standing manufacturing skills. Paul's contribution to the Group will be
invaluable during our next important period of corporate growth."

* profit adjusted to :
(a)     exclude exceptional items,
(b)     normalise on-going director-related remuneration and expenses
(c)     apply accounting policies consistent with IG

For further information:

Nick Fisher, International Greetings PLC                            01707 630630
Richard Sunderland, Tavistock Communications                       020 7920 3150

About International Greetings:

International Greetings PLC is a leading designer and manufacturer of private
label wrapping paper, greetings products and film and television character based
licensed stationery. It currently has over 1,000 employees and produces gift
wrapping paper, gift tags, ribbons, Christmas crackers, greeting cards and other
decorative accessories.

The Group provides wrapping paper and gift products to most of the major high
street retailers and holds the licences to produce merchandise for most of the
well-known family blockbusters, including the Harry Potter series and the
recently released Robots.

The Group is based in the UK and continues to strengthen its position in Europe,
having just moved its Dutch subsidiary, Hoomark, into a new 400,000 sq ft,
storage, manufacturing and distribution facility. The Group also has successful
operations in the United States, Hong Kong and, as part of its continued
worldwide expansion, has recently opened facilities in China and Latvia.

International Greetings was founded by Anders Hedlund in 1979. It listed on AIM
in 1995 and is currently capitalised at about #170 million.

Further information is available at www.internationalgreetings.co.uk.




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

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