AlphaGraphics Announces the Signing of Master Franchise Agreements for 12 Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 1997--AlphaGraphics, Inc., the international franchisor of AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future design, copy and print stores have recently signed Master Franchise agreements that will result in over 20 shops in twelve countries in Africa.

Although present throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, this will be the first entry for the company into Africa.

"Adding the key business country of South Africa along with the rapidly growing economies of 11 surrounding South Africa continues our aggressive international expansion by AlphaGraphics in the Americas, Asia, Europe and other markets where our digital data network provides digital document publishing services to our multinational clients," said Bill Edwards, AlphaGraphics' senior vice president of global development. "By the end of 1997, there will be AlphaGraphics locations on all continents of the world but Antarctica."

The first store opens in Johannesburg, South Africa in November 1997. The Master Franchise includes South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius and Lesotho.

Siltek Ltd. has acquired the Master Franchise for South Africa and 11 surrounding countries. Siltek is one of South Africa's largest and most successful information technology groups. Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the group this month reported an annual turnover of almost R2-billion (US $400 million).

Operating subsidiaries and associated companies are involved in all the key sectors of the information industry, including distribution, software, systems and services. Throughout its operations, the group maintains "best-of-breed" alliances with many of the world's leading manufacturers, including Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Epson, Compaq, Comdial, Harris Digital Systems, AutoCad, Genicom and others.

"The new stores in Africa will be immediately tied into our global electronic network, allowing orders to be quoted and placed directly with the stores through the AlphaGraphics website by a corporate customer anywhere in the world," said Edwards. "The recent addition of corporate level web services greatly enhances the ability of our customers to market their business world wide with the best possible image."

During 1997, 35 international stores are scheduled to open, including the first company locations in Argentina, Cyprus, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru and South Africa. The company is now focusing on adding Western European countries to the Global Business Network.

AlphaGraphics is the leading provider of print-related and digital publishing services for businesses worldwide, enabling customers to easily and effectively communicate in any publishing medium -- anywhere in the world, anytime.

Headquartered in Tucson, AlphaGraphics now has 340 locations in 23 countries and forecasts worldwide sales of more than $260 million in 1997. The company projects a total of more than 700 locations in 35 countries by the end of the decade.

For more information and to place an order in any AlphaGraphics shop worldwide, visit AlphaGraphics World Wide Web site at http://www.alphagraphics.com .

CONTACT: AlphaGraphics Inc., Tucson

Bill Edwards, 520/293-9200, ext. 3022