USContract Win/Trading Update

Photo-Me International PLC 15 November 2006 Wednesday 15 November 2006 PHOTO-ME INTERNATIONAL PLC Important US Contract Win, Trading Update and Outcome of Strategic Review The Board of PMI (PHTM.L), the digital imaging company, provides shareholders with an update on the US contract win, current trading and its strategic review. US CONTRACT WIN PMI and CVS Pharmacy have now signed a contract to extend the exclusive sale of minilabs into 2007. PMI will supply CVS with the third generation DKS 3 model. Production has commenced, for delivery starting in January 2007. CVS is the largest retail pharmacy in the USA, operating about 6,200 retail and speciality pharmacy stores in 43 states. In the period December 2005 to September 2006, PMI supplied to CVS 700 second generation DKS 15xx series minilabs, the bulk of these in the period to 30 April 2006. Serge Crasnianski, PMI's Chief Executive, stated 'This repeat business with CVS represents a further measure of success for PMI's minilabs, which unprecedentedly have won DIMA (Digital Imaging Marketing Association) awards for the quality of its minilabs - the world's most prestigious - in each of the past four years.' PMI continues to be in discussion with other large US chains. TRADING UPDATE Trading in the second quarter, to 31 October 2006, continues to be broadly consistent with the Chairman's AGM statement of 20 September 2006. In the Vending Division, trading has been similar to last year. In the Manufacturing Division, as expected, trading has remained subdued, mainly because of initial delays in delivery of the new DKS 3 minilabs. As a result and although the second quarter was much stronger than the first quarter, PMI expects its result for the half year to 31 October 2006 to be below the adjusted profit before tax (before the £5.4m non-operating exceptional credit) of £15.9m reported for the half year to 31 October 2005. In the second half, as indicated in the AGM Statement, the Manufacturing Division will benefit substantially from growing unit sales as a result of the transition to the new DKS 3 series and the new contract with CVS. A well-received new product, the Photobook Pro (a machine producing photo albums), is also expected to start contributing to the result. The Imaging Solutions wholesale labs business continues to trade successfully. While the Board believes that a pre-tax profit for the year to 30 April 2007 broadly in line with market expectations remains achievable, this outcome is conditional on the attainment of demanding minilab production schedules by one of the Group's subcontractors, following the initial delays referred to above. STRATEGIC REVIEW In response to press speculation, PMI announced on 5 June 2006 that it was conducting a strategic review which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the whole of the Company. Whilst the Board received several indications of interest for the Company as a whole and engaged in detailed discussions, it has concluded that an outright sale of the Company as a single entity would not maximise value for shareholders. The Board has therefore terminated these discussions. This strategic review process has highlighted the different nature of the individual businesses within PMI. As a consequence, the Board believes that pursuing strategic options for the individual businesses will maximise shareholder value. In addition, the Board has assessed PMI's existing capital structure, future capital requirements and anticipated cash flows and has decided to effect a significant return of surplus capital to shareholders. The various options for returning capital to shareholders are being reviewed with PMI's advisors and bankers. The Company will circulate proposals to shareholders as soon as practicable. The Board believes this two-pronged strategy is likely to realise the full value of the Company in the medium-term whilst optimising its capital structure in the short term. Major shareholders have indicated their support for this action plan. Notes for Editors: In the year to 30 April 2006, PMI reported revenue of £230.0m and a pre-tax profit of £28.5m. If the £2.3m net exceptional credit is excluded, EBITDA was £53.3m and pre-tax profit amounted to £26.2m. Enquiries: Photo-Me International 01372-453 399 Vernon Sankey (Chairman) JPMorgan Cazenove 020-7588 2828 Malcolm Moir Bankside Consultants Charles Ponsonby 020-7367 8851/07789-202 312 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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