MISSION WOODS, Kan., May 16, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Layne Christensen Company (Nasdaq:LAYN) today announced the acquisition of Wittman Hydro Planning Associates (WHPA), a Bloomington, Indiana water resource consulting and development firm. The acquisition includes all the assets, the business and certain liabilities of the Company. The purchase price was $2.5 million with the potential for additional incentives if certain financial performance measures are met. It is anticipated that the acquisition will be accretive in fiscal 2009.

This acquisition adds a team of industry recognized experts to Layne's core business of municipal and industrial water supply development, treatment, and delivery. WHPA, founded more than a decade ago by hydrologist Dr. Jack Wittman, has become a national leader in developing new technology for predicting the effects of water consumption on aquifers and streams. Dr. Wittman received his PhD from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He built the company to address the growing need for more sophisticated solutions to water supply and water quality protection. Among their many projects, WHPA has created complex models to evaluate aquifers that accurately predict well yields. They also analyze seepage through levees in low lying areas.

Greg Aluce, President of Layne's Water Resources Group, stated, "Wittman Hydro has a well established reputation dealing with complicated water resource issues that will fit well within Layne and its broad geographic footprint and recognized industry position. The addition of this resource and technology is in keeping with our growth initiative, where we add services and technology to a market that is increasingly more complex and demanding. We are genuinely excited to add Jack and his team to our organization."

Jack Wittman noted, "Along with my business partners Rhett Moore and Vic Kelson, we look forward to this opportunity to complement the strength and depth of Layne in the water supply market." Rhett Moore, manager of operations at WHPA, also said, "This gives us an opportunity to play a larger role in water resource development, protection, and management on a national basis. WHPA is a perfect fit with Layne. Like any good business decision, this is about the future." Dr. Vic Kelson, manager of technology development at WHPA, concluded with, "Our job with Layne is to change the paradigm. We have become adept at creating solutions to decipher complex emerging problems that typically concern water quality optimization, energy conservation, and development of a sustainable water resource."

With over 50 offices strategically located across the country, Layne Christensen is uniquely positioned to offer comprehensive, integrated solutions to solve the most demanding needs of our customers.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements of plans and objectives, statements of future economic performance and statements of assumptions underlying such statements, and statements of management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "should," "will," "will be," "intended," "continue," "believe," "may," "hope," "anticipate," "goal," "forecast," "plan," "estimate" and similar words or phrases. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to prevailing prices for various commodities, unanticipated slowdowns in the Company's major markets, the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the construction industry and to the exploration for and development and production of oil and gas, the impact of competition, the effectiveness of operational changes expected to increase efficiency and productivity, worldwide economic and political conditions and foreign currency fluctuations that may affect worldwide results of operations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially and adversely from those anticipated, estimated or projected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.

Layne Christensen Company provides sophisticated services and related products for the water, wastewater, mineral and energy markets.

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CONTACT:  Layne Christensen Company
          Jerry W. Fanska, Sr. Vice President Finance
          913-677-6858