Sale of UK Inchcape Fleet Solutions for £100m

RNS Number : 3678P

Inchcape PLC

10 October 2019

 

10 October 2019

 

Sale of Inchcape Fleet Solutions in the UK for £100m

Sale reinforces the Group's focus on core activities

Transaction Highlights:

·    Sale of Inchcape Fleet Solutions to Toyota, a major customer of the business

·    £100m consideration represents a good realisation of value for Inchcape

·    Reflects Inchcape's strategy to focus on businesses that support global Distribution activities and to focus on optimal deployment of capital

Inchcape plc ("Inchcape" or the "Group"), the leading independent multi-brand automotive Distributor with global scale, today announces that it has agreed to sell its Inchcape Fleet Solutions business ("IFS") to Toyota Fleet Mobility GmbH ('Toyota') for total cash consideration of £100m. It follows recent disposals of less productive dealerships in the UK, and Retail-only disposals in Australia and China.   Inchcape is focused on its core Distribution operations and these disposals have meaningfully streamlined the Group along those lines. 

The IFS business leases fleet vehicles and provides fleet management services to B2B customers including Toyota. The scope of the business means there is limited synergy with Inchcape's UK retail dealership business, where Inchcape acts as a franchisee of brands including BMW, MINI, JLR, Mercedes, VW, Audi, Porsche, Toyota and Lexus.  The UK Retail dealership business remains strategically important to the Group, where Inchcape is a top five partner for key OEM partners, supporting the expansion of Group Distribution contracts since 2016.

The transaction consideration is payable in cash at completion and will give rise to a gain on disposal. In the year to December 2018, IFS contributed revenue of £60m and trading profit of £9m. The gross assets of IFS, as included within the Inchcape Group consolidated balance sheet, as at 30 June 2019 were £78m.  The transaction is expected to complete in Q4 2019 and as such the impact on Inchcape's 2019 trading profit will be minimal. 

The use of the proceeds will be consistent with Inchcape's existing capital allocation policies under the Ignite strategy whereby the focus is on growing both organically and inorganically, with any surplus cash returned to shareholders.  These capital allocation options are assessed on a regular basis.

Together, the disposal of IFS, six Retail sites in Australia, three Retail sites in China and seven Retail sites in the UK will generate c.£250m of cash inflow to the Group with an overall significant net gain on disposal and on a combined trading profit base of c.£18m.

Stefan Bomhard, Group CEO of Inchcape plc, commented:

"This transaction is a further demonstration of strategic progress and focus on our core Distribution activities which generate 90% of Group trading profit. We are pleased to have been able to further streamline our UK Retail market activities by selling IFS at a good valuation. We remain focused on our Ignite strategy which frames our operational excellence initiatives, has driven 10 Distribution deals since 2016, and sets the foundations for capabilities that will enable us to position Inchcape well for the future. I would like to thank our IFS team for all their hard work and dedication and wish them success under Toyota, Inchcape's oldest OEM partner."     

Ends.

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This announcement contains inside information.

Enquiries

Group Communications, Inchcape plc                                               [phone]

Investor Relations, Inchcape plc                                                        [phone]

Financial PR, Instinctif (Mark Garraway)                                           [phone]

About Inchcape

Inchcape is the leading independent multi-brand Automotive Distributor and Retailer, operating in 32 markets with a portfolio of the world's leading car brands. Inchcape has diversified multi-channel revenue streams including sale of new and used vehicles, parts, service, finance and insurance. The Company has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1958, is headquartered in London and employs around 18,700 people.

Inchcape has a multi-layered growth story, with our highly cash generative and attractive Distribution business at its core. Together with the company's Ignite strategy which focuses on business optimisation initiatives, new contract opportunities, as well as capitalisation of future industry trends, Inchcape can deliver growth for shareholders through organic progress, consolidation and cash returns.

www.inchcape.com

Certain information included herein, such as financial estimates, projections and forecasts, contains forward-looking statements which involve risk and uncertainty, such as business, economic and regulatory changes, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such estimates, projections and forecasts. No representation or warranty is given as to the achievement or reasonableness of any forward-looking statements discussed in this document. This document is delivered as at the date specified.

 

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