LONDON, 12 March 2007. Four of Europe's providers of high-reliability electronic component engineering, testing, and procurement services for the space, defense, aeronautics, and medical industries have merged under a newly created holding company, the Alter Technology Group.

The Group comprises IGG Component Technology Ltd. of Great Britain, Hirex Engineering of France, Tecnológica Ingeniería Calidad y Ensayos SA of Spain, and Top-Rel SRL of Italy.

Over the past 20 years, the companies have co-operated on a number of major European programs. They will now follow a common, long-term strategy to position the Alter Technology Group as a strategic partner for their customers.

Together, the four companies will provide a more extensive range of services, wider geographic coverage, and increased flexibility for money to customers in the space, defense, aeronautics, and medical industries.

Fernando Franco, CEO of the Alter Technology Group, comments, "The Alter Technology Group will serve as a one-stop shop for any requirement, with its four member companies sharing expertise, capabilities and best practice to provide the optimum solution every time. There are strong synergies between the companies and as part of a group they will serve customers even better by providing an unrivalled range of services."