QUEEN HONOURS MONARCH

(From Garden Shed to Global ..)

21 April 2004

Monarch International UK Ltd, a company set up by Alan Stephenson and his son Craig, has been awarded the prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category.

This is a remarkable story of a man with an inventive mind who, with the help of his son Craig, and business adviser Mike Dane, has taken the world by storm.  Four years ago, Alan Stephenson wrestled with finding a quick and easy solution to the challenge of securing wall plugs in over-sized holes and problem wall surfaces - surely the most common problem for DIY enthusiasts and professional contractors alike.  Alans Eureka! moment was the invention of WetNFix™ which has now been taken up by retailers and professional contractors in the UK, across Europe and also now throughout North America. Its all about having a screw-loose! said Alan Stephenson.

WetNFix� is a cotton disc impregnated with a fast setting plaster of Paris solution. Simply dip the disc in water, wrap it around the wall plug and then insert the plug into the wall.  A unique bond is created, stabilising the section of wall and within 3 minutes the fixing is secure and ready to hold the fitting.  It is ideal for curtain rails, toilet roll holders, picture hangings, light fittings etc if you have a wall in your house you need WetNFix�.  Every toolbox should have some.

WetNFix� is distributed in the UK and extensively throughout mainland Europe by fischer fixings, the worlds leading wall plug manufacturer. Dr Pietro Grandesso, Managing Director of fischer fixings (UK) Ltd said: We are delighted for Monarch International and the Stephenson Family especially. They thoroughly deserve this award and we are proud to have played our part in the success they are achieving.  Most fixing problems are a result of faulty wall surfaces or small mistakes made when drilling.  WetNFix� is entirely compatible with our high quality and comprehensive range of wall fixings.

Alan Stephenson, creator, commented: Clearly we are overjoyed to have won this award.  Its been exciting for me to have found the solution to this problem and bring it to market. I am indebted to Craig and Mike for the business model that has been created, and for the successful business formula in place.  Not only are we honoured to have been granted such a prestigious accolade, but as a small, self-funded company without the benefit of big budgets, this award provides us with the fabulous opportunity to gain greater product awareness.  We now have a further and valuable opportunity to inform consumers and the trade of the true problem-solving and time-saving benefits of WetNFix�.

We are also fortunate to have the perfect partnership with fischer fixings who are leaders in their field and second to none in Europe.  We wholeheartedly thank Dr Pietro Grandesso and all his staff at fischer for their support and expertise in helping us win this Innovation Award.

WetNFix (www.wetnfix.co.uk) is already being sold by major DIY chains in the UK, including Homebase, Robert Dyas, Wickes, Buildbase, Screwfix and many independent retailers, and in a growing number of countries across continental Europe.  Price guide £2.99 for pack of 10 discs.

For further information, a product sample, pack shots or details on a demonstration please contact enquiries@wetnfix.co.uk

Date:5/21/2002

Updated Background Information
The product is a unique solution to the so-called 'baggy hole' problem, designed to re-enforce and strengthen the area around a wall fixing. It takes the form of an impregnated disc which is moistened and placed around a wall plug before insertion in to the hole, to provide an instant fix. It is also non hazardous and safe to use.

It is a practical solution for the fixing of wall plugs into a variety of problem or poor quality surfaces, such as crumbly masonry, ceramics, plaster, plasterboard or wood. It can also be used to repair an existing plastic fixing which has shrunk over time and lost its grip. With all types of plastic or nylon plugs, it is designed to provide a secure and smooth fix in just three minutes. Applications include the fixing of curtain poles, pictures frames, shelving, lighting, bathroom fittings etc.

All commentators agree that WetNFix is a major innovation which helps DIYers.

WetNFix is supplied in colourful and informative packaging. The RRP is £2.99 for a pack containing 10 applications.