UK PUBLISHER & STAKE IN GERMAN CO. SOLD TO INFO. HOLDINGS.

Information Holdings Inc. (IHI; New York) has acquired reference publisher Parthenon Publishing Group (London) for $8 million in cash. IHI said that Parthenon will become a part of CRC Press (Boca Raton, FL), IHI's scientific reference publishing business.

Parthenon is a producer of medical and environmental reference materials, including books, journals, and electronic products covering environmental topics and 35 medical subject areas. Parthenon had 2000 revenues of approximately $7 million and pro forma EBITDA of about $1 million. Results will be consolidated with IHI from the date of acquisition.

CRC Press was acquired by IHI in 1996 from Times Mirror. It produces a variety of books, journals, newsletter and electronic information products covering such areas as life sciences, environmental sciences, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences and business. In 1997, it acquired Auerbach Publishing (New York), a publisher of computer, software and engineering journals, newsletters and related services, from The Thomson Corp.

In related news, IHI subsidiary Master Data Center (MDC; Southfield, MI) has completed the acquisition of a 49% interest in GSI Office Management (Munich). MDC has an option to acquire the remaining 51% after three years.

GSI Office Management is a leading provider of patent and trademark management software and related consulting services for the European market. The company's products are described as complementary to the patent annuity and trademark renewal services of MDC and will allow MDC to expand "into key European markets," IHI said. MDC is a provider of intellectual property software and services. Its patent and trademark management software and payment renewal services are used by large corporations and law firms.

MDC president Mark Clinton said the investment in GSI "will enable us to expand our suite of products while strengthening our position in the critical European market."

IHI provides information products and services to the scientific, technical, medical, intellectual property and IT learning markets. Its Intellectual Property Group divisions includes MDC, MicroPatent, IDRAC and LPS Group.