Kluwer makes two acquisitions, sells European unit.

Wolters Kluwer North America (New York), through its Aspen Publishers (New York) division, has completed the acquisition of assets from both Arthur Anderson (Chicago, IL) and Bowne & Co. (New York), while parent Wolters Kluwer has sold a Dutch professional publishing division. No terms for any of the deals were given.

Aspen Publishers has acquired Accounting Research Manager (ARM), an online database of expert-written analytical accounting and auditing information as well as primary source data from accounting regulators and standards boards, from Arthur Anderson. Approximately 16 Anderson accounting executives will also join Aspen as part of the deal and will remain in Chicago.

ARM was developed by Arthur Anderson to support the research needs of its own staff. Access was later given to Anderson clients and a limited number of other large companies and government agencies. Aspen said its initial focus will be on supporting the more than 1000 current commercial ARM subscribers, with the intent of making the product available to additional companies, accounting and audit firms at a later date.

ARM will become a part of Aspen's accounting and auditing unit, which includes the Miller accounting series.

In related news, Aspen has acquired the assets of Bowne & Co.'s securities publishing division, a unit that produces books and videos on securities, corporate and legal topics. Aspen was represented in the deal by investment banking firm Eugene Simonoff & Associates (New York).

In a statement, Aspen president/ceo Jane Butler said "we are proud to add the 'Securities Act Handbook' and the 'Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission' (the 'Red Box') to our list of securities and corporate governance publications, including 'Securities Regulation.'"

Finally, Wolters Kluwer (Amsterdam) has sold its Dutch-language healthcare publisher Bohn Stafleu Van Loghum (BSVL; Houten, Neth.) to PCM Algemene Boeken (Utrecht, Neth.). BSVL is a multi-media publisher for professionals active in the health sector, including physicians, specialists, dentists, paramedical staff, nurses, and mental welfare and social workers. The company produces books, magazines, newsletters, workshops, continuing education courses, online databases and Internet services. Kluwer said BSVL has annual sales of EUR 30 million with a staff of 130.

PCM operates a number of trade and consumer publishing units for the Dutch market and produces four of the five national daily newspapers.