LPA Group plc ("LPA"), the AIM-quoted manufacturer and distributor of electronic and electro-mechanical systems and components, is delighted to announce that its subsidiary, Excil Electronics Limited ("LPA Excil"), has received a Letter of Intent for a £4.7m contract to supply LED-based lighting for a new fleet of suburban trains in Sydney Australia.  

The contract from Downer EDI Rail, the Australian-based rail vehicle builder, will be for the manufacture and supply of the main passenger lighting, task lighting, passenger exit lighting and crew cab lighting for Sydney's new fleet of double-deck passenger trains which are the subject of a Public Private Partnership (the "PPP Project"). 

The PPP Project covers the supply of 78 eight-car train sets, a total of 624 vehicles. The full contract value of LPA Excil's supply of the LED based lighting, once the contract details have been finalised, is expected to amount to approximately £4.7m, with delivery commencing during the second quarter of 2009 and continuing over the next five years.  In addition, there is an option to extend the fleet of vehicles by up to 50%.

The lighting to be supplied will use LPA's LED technology exclusively, including LPA-Lumistrip, the Company's leading edge solid-state LED replacement for fluorescent tube lighting. LPA-Lumistrip offers weight savings, reduced energy consumption and extended life as compared to standard fluorescent tube technology. 

Peter Pollock, LPA Chief Executive, comments:

"Once confirmed this will be the largest contract ever awarded to LPA, and follows our earlier £2.5m contract, announced last September, for the supply of electrical inter-car connection equipment to Downer EDI Rail for this new fleet of trains.

Our order book was already at record levels, this contract, once confirmed, will raise the levels to new heights." 

9 February 2009

Enquiries:

LPA Group PLC
Peter Pollock, Chief Executive	Tel: 07881 626123 or 01799 512844
Steve Brett, Finance Director	Tel: 07881 626127 or 01799 512860
Blomfield Corporate Finance Limited	Tel:  020 7489 4500
Alan MacKenzie
Ben Jeynes
Religare Hichens, Harrison plc
Alan Rooke	Tel: 020 7382 7781
College Hill Gareth David	Tel: 020 7457 2020