<Multi-Step Products Inc>, earlier
reporting an initial six month loss, said it agreed to sell
wholly owned Multi-Step Manufacturing Inc for 100,000 dlrs
cash, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.
    Multi-Step also said it will pay 900,000 dlrs to cancel
711,192 of its own shares, which will be acquired from Michael
Penhale and his benficiaries. Penhale will control and manage
Multi-Step Manufacturing, following the transactions.
    Multi-Step had a 739,146 dlr loss for the six months ended
December 31. The company received its initial public listing in
December.
    The company said its ladder-making unit has been losing
300,000 dlrs quarterly.
    The sale, expected to close in April, also calls for
retirement of the unit's 400,000 dlr bank debt, Multi-Step
said. The unit also has agreed to pay a debt of 400,000 dlrs to
Tarxien Company Ltd, which is 40 pct owned by Multi-Step.
    Multi-Step previously said it agreed to acquire the
remaining 60 pct of Tarxien it does not already own.
 Reuter

MULTI-STEP TO SELL LADDER UNIT, CANCEL SHARES

Esselte Business Systems Inc's
Esselte Meto division said it has acquired the Antonson America
Co, a subsidiary of <Antonson Machines AB>, of Sweden.
    Esselte said the Antonson unit, based in LaPorte, Indiana,
manufactures scales and label printers. The company said the
purchase is part of a plan to increase the range of retail
electronic scales being offered by Esselte in the U.S.
    It said the acquisition will enble Esselte to increase its
distribution base in its effort to grow in the U.S.
 Reuter

ESSELTE BUSINESS <ESB> UNIT BUYS ANTONSON UNIT

<Four Seasons Hotels Inc> and VMS Realty
Partners said they agreed to acquire the Santa Barbara Biltmore
Hotel in California from Marriott Corp, for undisclosed terms.
    Closing was expected by March 31, they added.
    The companies said they would jointly own the hotel and
rename it the Four Seasons Biltmore at Santa Barbara. They said
they would spend more than 13 mln U.S. dlrs "to enhance the
Biltmore's position as one of the finest resort hotels in North
America." Chicago-based VMS Realty is a real estate and
development firm.
 Reuter