Kroll-O'Gara Acquires Fact Finders

The Kroll-O'Gara Company, Fairfield, OH, says it has acquired Fact Finders Ltd., Hong Kong, an affiliated company. The purchase price, payable in cash, is approximately US$3.2 million, plus an earn-out over three years based on the attainment of certain profit parameters.

Fact Finders' primary line of business is investigating intellectual property infringement cases in Hong Kong and in the Peoples Republic of China. Fact Finders operates in ten cities throughout China through captive subcontractors. The Company has contracts with many leading international companies to protect their brand names and investigate acts of trademark piracy and infringement in China. For the most recent fiscal year ended Mar. 31, 1998, Fact

Finders and its affiliated company had sales of approximately US$3.2 million and pre-tax income of roughly US$1 million.

Jules B. Kroll, CEO of The Kroll-O'Gara Company, said, "Theft of intellectual property rights, especially in Asia, is a major problem for many companies. The acquisition of Fact Finders gives our investigation and intelligence group the opportunity to expand its presence in this important area." The Kroll-O'Gara Company's investigation and intelligence group provides fraud investigations, due diligence, litigation support and integrity consulting services, plus business intelligence gathering and analysis to corporations, financial institutions, and governments.