Investment: Alex Stewart Group

Business: Global provider of metals and minerals inspection and testing services

Location: Knowsley, Merseyside

Turnover: €36m

Transaction date: 17 November 2006

Through its network of wholly-owned subsidiaries and affiliates in over 50 countries worldwide, ASG provides customers with independent verification of the quantity and quality of commodity shipments, as well as assessment of samples for mining exploration. the Group's business is focused on three main commodity areas: metals and minerals, coal and solid fuels and scrap metals.