acquisition of Microcheck Technical Services Ltd

As part of the continuing development plans of the Inspicio Food and Environment Division, I am pleased to announce that on the 4th April 2008 Eclipse Scientific completed the acquisition of Microcheck Technical Services Ltd. This company will trade as part of the Eclipse Scientific Group of companies as Eclipse Scientific.

The acquisition of Microcheck will allow a further development of the local service which Eclipse can offer in the South West and in the Midlands, with its UKAS Accredited laboratories at Trowbridge and Coventry. The Trowbridge Laboratory is also DEFRA and M&S approved, and the Coventry Laboratory has MHRA approval.

Julie Dedman said "I am also delighted that the previous owner of Microcheck, Bill Thompson, will remain with the business and will continue to develop the business and the services it provides, as part of the Eclipse Scientific Group. "

This is the first acquisition completed by the Inspicio Food and Environment Division in the ownership of 3i and underlines the commitment by 3i to further develop Eclipse and the other businesses within Inspicio.

HTM 2030 - Residual chemical additives

Washer-disinfectors used in hospital environments use strongly active chemical agents to achieve the thorough cleans required. However the rinsing cycles must be monitored to verify that residues of these agents are not present at levels which may endanger health.

Eclipse undertakes such testing, in accordance with DoH Health Technical Memorandum 2030, covering a whole range of potential residues, including anionic surfactants (as lauryl sulfate) down to a level of 50 µg/l (ppb). Click here for full range of substances tested for, or contact enquiries@esglabs.co.uk.

Enterobacter sakazakii 

Over the last few years the above bacterium has been the cause of fatal meningitis, enterocolitis and similar illnesses in infants. Present in the environment, it can find its way into milk based infant formula feeds, despite the great care that goes into manufacture – powdered infant formula meeting current standards is not a sterile product. 

E sakazakii is also to some degree heat resistant, so that low numbers can be present in the formula. If contaminated powder is made up with water and then incubated for a few hours, this provides ideal conditions for rapid bacterial growth. Most healthy babies can tolerate the presence of the bacteria: however, the very young, particularly those less than 1 month old or in poor health, are susceptible to potentially fatal infections. 

Eclipse’s laboratory in Ely, which tests pharmaceuticals for their freedom from pathogens, offers a rapid testing service for E sakazakii, with results available in just three days.  

Eclipse's Holding Company Inspicio plc receives Recommended Cash Offer

14 December 2007 -- Eclipse Holding Company Inspicio plc (INP) is pleased to announce that it has today reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer from 3i (via a newly incorporated company, Angus Newco) for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Inspicio.  This is a cash offer and the Independent Directors of the Inspicio Board consider the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable and unanimously recommend that Inspicio Shareholders accept the Offer, and that Independent Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolution at the General Meeting.

Commenting on the Offer, Mark Silver, Inspicio Chief Executive Officer said:
"3i clearly sees the growth potential of our business and recognises that we have opportunities for organic growth through our global geographic network as well as further acquisition opportunities in this very fragmented market. They are fully committed to investing in the growth of the company for the long term, which will enable us to exploit fully the growth opportunities in the global testing and inspection market.”

To view the full announcement visit the Inspicio web site www.inspicio.com

About Inspicio
Inspicio was admitted to AIM in April 2005 as a newly incorporated company and was established to acquire and manage market leading organisations in testing, inspection and performance conformity markets in the UK and internationally.  Since admission, Inspicio has made four major acquisitions: Inspectorate Limited a global leader in the testing and inspection of traded commodities; Environmental Services Group Limited, a leading provider of environmental testing services; Eclipse Scientific Group Limited, the UK's leading food, drink, chemistry and microbiology testing business; and Scientifics Limited, one of the UK's leading independent analytical testing and consultancy businesses. Inspicio now has over 6,500 employees and operates in more than 125 countries.
About 3i
3i is a world leader in private equity and venture capital and invests across Europe, the United States and Asia.  3i was established in 1945, listing on the London Stock Exchange in 1994.  It is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.  3i manages over £8.2 billion of assets (as at 30 September 2007) comprising its own balance sheet of around £5.1 billion and private equity limited partnerships of £2.5 billion, invested alongside 3i and quoted Infrastructure and Quoted Private Equity investment companies of £0.6bn (excluding 3i's own participation in these vehicles).  Recent investments made by 3i within the testing and inspection sector include Group Carso (leading French food testing business), Sampletest (Spanish lab-based clinical analysis business) and Inspecta (Finnish testing and inspection business).

This document is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to this document or otherwise. The Offer will be made solely by the formal offer document containing the Offer, when issued, which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Offer.

Unless otherwise determined by Angus Newco or required by the UK Takeover Code and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Offer is not being, and will not be, made, directly or indirectly, in or into or by the use of the mails of, or by any other means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, telex, telephone, internet or other forms of electronic communication) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national state or other securities exchange of the United States, Canada, Australia or any other jurisdiction in which to do so would contravene any law, rule or regulation and will not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility or from within the United States, Canada, Australia or any other jurisdiction in which to do so would contravene any law, rule or regulation. Acceptances of the Offer from any of the jurisdictions or by anyone resident or located in any of them will be invalid unless Angus Newco decides otherwise.

2006 ends with another acquisition in Ireland

Envirolab, a Waterford based business providing laboratory testing services to the Irish market, has joined the Eclipse Group.

The company’s activities include chemical and microbiological testing of food, together with environmental analysis; many tests are INAB (ISO:17025) accredited (Laboratory No 110T).

Working closely with IML, Eclipse’s established laboratory business in Ireland, Envirolab will continue to use its trading name and current premises, with the whole of the existing workforce being retained.

Commenting on the latest acquisition, Julie Dedman, Managing Director said, “We now have a fourth site in Ireland, extending both our geographical coverage and also our service offering, with accredited water and wastewater chemistry testing being available from Envirolab.”

Food industry technical consultancy

In addition to laboratory testing, Eclipse also provides technical support services to its food industry clients; the specialist team includes a former Public Analyst.
Our advisory services cover:

• labelling
• meat content determinations/declarations
• nutritional declarations/claims
• general food law
• shelf life determinations
• customer complaints
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate training
• Pre BRC and third party supplier audits
• HACCP implementation (including set-up, documentation, audits and training)
• Half and one day on-site training courses, providing introductory training in topics such as basic microbiology, HACCP, food hygiene, sampling, labelling, contaminants and food law.

To discuss your requirements, please contact enquiries@esglabs.co.uk.

Promar Labs Acquired

Eclipse has bought this York based business from Genus plc.

The laboratory (DEFRA approved) undertakes comprehensive bovine milk and serum testing, including Brucellosis, EBL, IBR, BVD, Leptospira, Neospora and Johne's disease; it is UKAS accredited (No 2155) for many of the tests and also carries out forage and feed analysis.

Overall, Promar Labs' spectrum of activities complements existing interests within the Group: the business will be relocated to Mirfield, W Yorks in the near future.

Eclipse joins forces with Inspicio plc

Following nine acquisitions of similar businesses in the UK and Ireland, Eclipse has now moved to become the dedicated food and pharmaceutical testing division of Inspicio plc – an international laboratory business, with operations in over 120 countries.

Inspicio includes Inspectorate and the Environmental Services Group, the latter already operating in the UK food testing market as Global Analysis.

This latest move means that Eclipse now becomes a truly world-wide laboratory testing business, with close links to the over 70 laboratories already operating within Inspicio.

Eclipse’s Managing Director Julie Dedman stated: "This is a very exciting opportunity for all of us and will allow us to reach our objective of becoming a significant worldwide analytical testing business".

And Mark Silver, CEO of Inspicio plc, commented: "By acquiring Eclipse, we plan to build a global food testing business on Inspicio’s existing laboratory infrastructure that will service this growing demand, creating a platform to further consolidate the industry".

Folic acid fortification of bread recommended in Ireland

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has announced that a specialist subcommittee has recommended mandatory addition of folic acid to most bread flour there. Similar action is expected in the UK, where consultations on the subject are in progress.

Bread, being part of most people’s diet, is a simple means of bringing this vital nutrient to consumers. It is especially pertinent to women of child bearing age, where a folate deficiency in early pregnancy can give rise to severe birth defects, including spina bifida.

Eclipse offers a UKAS accredited test for folate, using the Biacore Surface Plasmon Resonance technique. Results are typically available in 7 working days but, by prior arrangement, can be ready 2 working days after receipt of samples. Contact sales@esglabs.co.uk or 01354 695858

Benzene in soft drinks

As a result of interactions between sodium benzoate (a common preservative) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C, an antioxidant) in soft drinks, the potentially carcinogenic substance benzene can be generated, especially after prolonged storage at high ambient temperatures.

Levels found are overwhelmingly less than the 10 parts per billion level designated as the limit for drinking water by WHO; a recent Food Standards Agency survey found 4 drinks on sale with benzene contents above the WHO drinking water limit (out of 150 drinks tested).

Eclipse offers analysis of soft drinks for benzene content using a GCMS technique - contact sales@esglabs.co.uk for further details.

Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Eclipse offers analysis of foods for omega 3 fatty acids (see item below). Omega 6 fatty acids also offer health benefits - such as reducing blood cholesterol levels when consumed instead of saturated fatty acids - but it is the ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 in the diet that is of greater importance.

A ratio of less than 5:1 (ie a relatively high intake of omega 3) is associated with beneficial effects to, amongst others, circulation and joints; however in the Western diet this ratio is frequently above 5:1. Negligible intakes of fish and other omega 3 rich foods, combined with the heavy consumption of meat and cereal products has shifted the ratio to 30:1 (or even higher) for people eating particularly 'unhealthily'.

Eclipse undertakes analysis of foods for their fatty acid profile, including the estimation of the predominant forms of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids - please specify this when submitting samples.

Food Technology Centre, Manchester.

The Food Technology Centre Limited (FTC) located in Irlam, Manchester joined the Eclipse group on 12 April. Complementing Eclipse's existing activities, FTC provides food microbiology and chemistry testing services - primarily to the food industry in the North of England.
 
The Manchester site will continue to be managed locally by Kevin Pritchard, the previous owner of FTC.

MD announces new acquisition in Ireland

Advanced Micro Services (Laboratories) Ltd (AMS) based in Cork City have become the latest contract testing business to join Eclipse.

The company provides accredited food microbiology and BSE testing services, primarily to the meat industry in the Republic of Ireland. The business in Cork will continue to be managed by Billy Coleman and Garry Buckley, the previous owners and founders of AMS.

"This acquisition further strengthens our position in the Irish market, improves our geographical coverage as well as bringing a new area of testing to our ‘one stop shop’ business" commented Julie Dedman, Eclipse's Managing Director.

These important food components are frequently in the news in connection with their numerous health benefits - such as decreasing the risks of heart disease and of degenerative brain and joint diseases.

Within this family of acids, omega-3 - alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) must be obtained from the diet: it can be converted (with relatively low efficiency) by the body to the longer chain omega-3-eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) [EPA] and omega-3-docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) [DHA]. These latter two acids are required to produce the beneficial health effects within the body.

Oily fish are a rich natural source of EPA/DHA - but, increasingly, common foods such as bread and milk are being marketed as fortified in omega-3 acids.

Eclipse analyse foods for their omega-3 content - just request a fatty acid profile, including omega-3 acids. Contact us at enquiries@esglabs.co.uk.

Functional foods containing this material (a group of naturally occurring carbohydrate polymers, based on fructose) are attracting interest because of their benefits for human health.

These polymers, members of the fructan family, are soluble fibres. Beneficial properties claimed include use to partially replace fat or sugar, promotion of growth of ‘good bacteria’ in the lower gut, thus improving the digestive system and improved calcium absorption. Inulin is particularly prevalent in chicory root and Jerusalem artichokes.

Eclipse uses the AOAC method Measurement of total fructan in foods to measure inulin – contact enquiries@esglabs.co.uk if you require this analysis.

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