Press Release

Stone Group Financial Services appointed leasing provider to WFEPC

Stone, 27th July, 2009.

Stone Group, a leading IT provider and the UK's largest privately owned computer manufacturer, is pleased to announce that it has won a tender to become a leasing provider to the WFEPC (Welsh Further Education Purchasing Consortium).

Stone Group has been on the framework to supply equipment to the WFEPC for 7 years, as such, it understands the level of service that the members expect. Now, one of only three partners to be accepted to supply financial services on this framework, 'Stone Financial Services' will offer WFEPC members comprehensive leasing packages determined by individual requirements. By issuing a mini tender amongst 15 pre-approved lenders, it can also ensure the very best value for customers.

Stone Group, which has 18 years of experience in public sector hardware manufacture and support, created Stone Financial Services in 2008 when Colin Capewell, Stone Group Sales Director, recognised a growing trend toward leasing within the public sector. Previously, Stone Group passed its customers onto a third party lender, but by taking control and appointing leasing specialist, Matt Knowles, it can now ensure leasing agreements are made with customers' best interests at heart.

"By introducing Stone Financial Services, we can now offer our customers, and consequently, WFEPC members, a complete buying process", says Matt Knowles, Financial Services Manager, Stone Group. "We already boast our own manufacturing, distribution services, in-house engineers and recycling facility, offering leasing completes the package."

Stone Group is the only appointed leasing provider to offer WFEPC members a 5 year warranty with a 5 year lease term on all Stone branded equipment and boasts the largest independently owned service team, with over 50 engineers. It is also the only UK manufacturer to operate its own on-site recycling facility. The facility offers WFEPC members the assurance that the disposal of PCs and other IT equipment will be carried out in line with WEEE regulations. Stone Financial Services are proactively working to encourage sustainable procurement and are committed to ensuring that, wherever possible, sustainability is considered at each stage of the product lifecycle.

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact: Kerri Chard The PR Room Tel: 0845 094 2902 kerri.chard@theprroom.co.uk

The Stone Group:

is a public sector specialist hardware manufacturer and systems designer, specialising in the supply and support of ICT and audio-visual solutions to schools, colleges, universities, local government, the emergency services, the NHS and MoD.

As long-established UK hardware manufacturers, Stone Computers and Compusys have built up enviable reputations for their superior after-sales service as well as the stability and reliability of their Desktops, Laptops and Servers, earning the confidence of their customers.

Having acquired Rock Computers in May 2008, the Stone Group now sells direct to consumers, and offers high-end business and gaming notebooks to all sectors.

As well as being awarded all major educational and public sector frameworks, the Stone Group has well-established relationships with leading manufacturers. Strong partnerships with Intel, Microsoft, LG, Seagate and Samsung ensure that all of its customers can be confident in the quality of the technology and receive the most competitive pricing structure.

Stone was recently ranked 21st in The Sunday Times Buyout Track 100 league table 2009 of Britain's top 100 private equity-backed companies with the fastest growing profits.

About WFEPC:

The WFEPC, funded by the then Further Education Funding Council in Wales, was formed in January 1999 by nine Further Education Colleges in Wales who through the adoption of a co-ordinated approach to procurement aimed to identify whether potential collaboration and savings were attainable.

Following the success of this project, in 2001 membership of the WFEPC was opened up to all 25 Further Education Institutions across Wales.

Members of the WFEPC meet regularly to share information on best practice in procurement and to develop contracts where the combined "purchasing power" and standardisation of requirements, result in "better value" than could be achieved on an individual basis.

The overriding aim of the WFEPC is "to make a recognised and measurable contribution to the success of FE procurement within Wales."