UCG continues acquisition spree with purchase of two companies.

On the heels of its biggest acquisition in company history--ATX Forms Inc.. a leading tax software provider (NL/NL 8/17/02)--UCG recently acquired Kates-Boylston Publications and the American Graduate University.

"We are fortunate to be experiencing continued growth and have significant financial resources, while other folks we typically compete against for acquisitions are seeing their stock prices dropping, their revenues declining and their leverage capacity drying up," said UCG partner Todd Foreman, who heads up acquisition efforts. "We plan to keep buying good companies to strengthen our portfolio," he added.

UCG is one of the country's largest privately held providers of Specialized business information.

Its latest acquisitions add depth and breadth to two of UCG's existing portfolio companies. Kates-Boylston Publications, formed in 1926, is the leading publisher of magazines, directories, books and other business-related products in the funeral service market. Its industry-leading properties include the magazines American Funeral Director and American Cemetery and The American Blue Book of Funeral Directors. UCG already publishes the leading newsletter in this field, Funeral Service Insider.

"After careful consideration, I came to the conclusion that UCG was best equipped to carry on our tradition of providing the finest news and information products to the funeral service market," said Adrian Boylston, owner of KB. "UCG has a demonstrated commitment to editorial excellence and a proven track record of stability and growth," he said. Boylston remains with the company as publisher emeritus and an advisor to the company.

American Graduate University is a leading provider of advanced degrees and certificate programs for government contracting and program management professionals. UCG will add the 44-year-old AGU to its existing Government Contracting Institute, founded in 1982 to help contracting professionals successfully compete and administer federal contracts.

"AGU is a perfect fit due to its laser-like focus on providing professional development opportunities to the government acquisition, contracting and project management workforce," said Lawrence Hamm, president of UCG's Business and Finance Group, owner of the Government Contracting Institute.

The combination with GCI gives the California-based AGU a greater presence in the Washington, D.C.-based government acquisition market.

AGU was founded by Paul McDonald Sr. in 1958 and has remained a private, accredited post-secondary school. Paul McDonald Jr. and Marie McDonald Sirney will stay on to serve as vice president of Academic Affairs and vice president of Accreditation and Administration, respectively.

11300 Rockville Pike, #1100, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-287-2366, www.ucg.com