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EBOS GROUP LIMITED — Capital/Financing Update 2019
Apr 29, 2019
64813_rns_2019-04-29_e0cc7a13-0973-42a7-8b85-a4d8c9735a6f.pdf
Capital/Financing Update
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Not for release or distribution in the United States
30 April 2019
NZX/ASX Code: EBO
EBOS announces a ~NZ$150 million equity raising to provide further capacity for growth
EBOS Group Limited ("EBOS") is pleased to announce that it is conducting a fully underwritten, approximately NZ$150 million Placement (the "Placement") to provide further capacity for growth. Proceeds from the Placement will initially be used to pay down bank debt and reduce gearing, before being used for strategic acquisitions, organic growth initiatives and general corporate purposes as they arise.
Strategic rationale and use of proceeds
EBOS continues to focus on delivering shareholder value through disciplined investments in a diverse portfolio of health and animal care related activities. Over the last 12 months, EBOS has generated significant business momentum, including:
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Executing an agreement with Chemist Warehouse Group (CWG) for the exclusive wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical products to more than 450 CWG stores throughout Australia
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Moving to 100% ownership of the Terry White Group
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Expanding our presence in the Australian medical and surgical supplies wholesale market with the acquisition of Warner & Webster
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Completing the smaller strategic acquisitions of Therapon and Quitnits
EBOS continues to believe that these initiatives will deliver a strong return on capital employed (ROCE) for all shareholders.
Following the Placement, EBOS' pro-forma Net Debt / EBITDA as at 31 December, 2018, will decrease to approximately 1.60x (from 2.16x).[1]
With a reduced level of gearing following the Placement, EBOS will have greater flexibility to pursue strategic acquisitions and organic growth initiatives.
1 Proforma Net Debt : EBITDA ratio is calculated as the net debt at period end to the last 12 months EBITDA, adjusting for preacquisition earnings of acquisitions for the period and excluding one-off items
EBOS Group Limited. NZBN 9429031998840 Level 7, 737 Bourke Street, Docklands, Victoria 3008, Australia. PO Box 7300, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia. Phone: +61 3 9918 5555, Fax: +61 3 9918 5599.
EBOS track record of acquisitions
EBOS has a long history of successfully acquiring high quality businesses which have delivered attractive levels of growth, such as Black Hawk, Red Seal and HPS. EBOS has completed 20 deals since 2000 and has invested over A$600 million in acquisitions and capital expenditure since FY14.
EBOS Chief Executive Officer, John Cullity, said that EBOS currently has an attractive pipeline of potential acquisitions.
"Our diversified platform and track record of delivering accretive acquisitions to our shareholders has made acquisitions core to EBOS' growth strategy. EBOS is assessing several acquisition targets within our core segments that will add greater diversification to the Group and provide synergies through the use of EBOS' existing network and capabilities."
In assessing these potential acquisitions, EBOS will continue to apply the same financial discipline that it has done with prior successful acquisitions, targeting a ROCE in excess of 15%.
Placement overview
The Placement will comprise the issue of approximately 7.7 million new ordinary shares at an issue price of NZ$19.70 per share to institutional investors in Australia, New Zealand and selected jurisdictions[2] to raise approximately NZ$150 million.
The issue price of NZ$19.70 per share represents an 8.0% discount to the closing price on NZX of NZ$21.42 on Monday 29 April, 2019. The Placement is fully underwritten by UBS New Zealand Limited, who is acting as Sole Lead Manager and Underwriter for the Placement. The new EBOS shares to be issued under the Placement will rank equally with existing EBOS shares.
Timetable
Key dates in relation to the Placement are as follows:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Trading halt on NZX and ASX | 30 April 2019 |
| Placement completion announcement lodged with NZX /ASX and EBOS recommences tradingon NZX and ASX | 1 May 2019 |
| ASX Settlement | 3 May 2019 |
| NZX Settlement | 6 May 2019 |
| Allotment and trading of Placement Shares | 6 May 2019 |
2 The investor presentation released to the NZX and ASX today includes the list of offer jurisdictions
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Further details
Further details of the Placement are set out in the Investor Presentation lodged with the NZX and ASX today. The Investor Presentation contains important information including key risks and international offer restrictions with respect to the Placement.
For further information, please contact:
Media: Investor Relations: New Zealand Mark Connell Geoff Senescall, Senescall Akers Investor Relations Manager, EBOS Group Ltd +64 21 481 234 +61 402 995 519
Australia
James Aanensen, PRX +61 410 518 590
About EBOS Group
EBOS Group Limited is the largest and most diversified Australasian marketer, wholesaler and distributor of healthcare, medical and pharmaceutical products. It is also a leading marketer and distributor of recognised consumer products and animal care brands.
Important Notice
Nothing contained in this announcement constitutes investment, legal, tax or other advice. You should make your own assessment and take independent professional advice in relation to the information and any action on the basis of the information.
Not for distribution or release in the United States
This announcement may not be released to US wire services or distributed in the United States.
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such an offer would be illegal. The new shares of EBOS have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. Accordingly, the new shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to persons in the United States except in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States.
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