INDUSTRIAL group Barlow intends spend R3-billion on acquisitions as part of a worldwide expansion programme, the Business Day reports. Barlow has also won a 90-million deal with the British military to repair and maintain forklift trucks over 10 years. According to the paper the group has been on the acquisition trail over the past six months, spending about R85-million. In the six months to March Barlow increased earnings a share from core operations 18% to 155,2c. However, earnings a share excluding exceptional items declined 5% to 155,2c from 163,9c.