Acquisition

Newmark Technology Group PLC 16 August 2002 Newmark Technology Group PLC ('Newmark' or 'the Company') Proposed Acquisitions of Vema N.V and Grosvenor Technology Limited, Capital Reorganisation, Change of Name and Admission of Enlarged Share Capital to the Alternative Investment Market ('AIM') Highlights: • Newmark, a specialist integrated security provider, is to acquire Grosvenor Technology Limited ('Grosvenor') for a maximum consideration of up to £6.787 million in cash. The initial consideration will be a maximum of £3.287 million with a maximum balance of £3.5 million being paid over the next 48 months subject to an earn out. • Grosvenor was founded in 1989 and is involved in the design and manufacture of access control and security management systems. Its products are installed in over 1000 locations world-wide with such prestigious organisations as BAA, British Aerospace, the Hong Kong Police, Metropolitan Police Service and The Inland Revenue. • In the financial year ended 31 October 2001 Grosvenor's pre-tax profit was £547,000, more than double the figure for the year 2000. Turnover in 2001 was £3.016 million compared with a 2000 figure of £2.820 million. Grosvenor currently has assets of approximately £2 million which includes £1.2 million in cash. Current trading remains strong with a growing world-wide market. • Immediately following the acquisition of Grosvenor the Company will sell its wholly owned subsidiary Newmark Technology Limited to Grosvenor for £1.25 million. The directors of Grosvenor will run the combined businesses on a day to day basis. The amalgamation of Newmark and Grosvenor is expected to result in cost savings of £0.5 million per annum. • Newmark is also proposing to acquire the remaining 49% of Netherlands based company, Vema N.V, that it does not already own. This will be in the form of an offer for the Global Depository Receipts ('the GDRs') which are traded on AIM ('the Offer'). • Each of these acquisitions is dependent on the successful completion of the other. • Capital reorganisation to split each ordinary share of 5p into one ordinary share of 1p and one deferred share of 4p • On completion of the transactions, the enlarged Company is proposing to rename itself Newmark Security PLC. This change reflects the security focus and established nature of the enlarged group's underlying businesses. Maurice Dwek, Newmark Chairman, commented: 'We believe that the proposal we have set out represents an exciting opportunity for the enlarged group and will strengthen our position in the worldwide security market. The proposed transactions should create a high added-value security company offering its customers both electronic and physical solutions which we expect will deliver enhanced shareholder value.' For further details please contact: Maurice Dwek, Chairman Tel: 01279 658 000 Sassie Rajwan, CEO Newmark Technology Group Plc Adam Reynolds/Takki Sulaiman Tel: 020 7735 9415 Hansard Communications mail@hansardcommunications.com www.hansardcommunications.com Joanne Lake Tel: 0113 243 1619 Williams de Broe Plc - adviser to Newmark Lindsay Mair Tel: 0207 626 2244 Corporate Synergy - adviser to Vema ANNOUNCEMENT NEWMARK TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC ('NEWMARK' OR 'THE COMPANY')- ACQUISITIONS OF GROSVENOR TECHNOLOGY LIMITED AND VEMA N.V. INTRODUCTION Newmark announces the proposed acquisitions of Grosvenor Technology Limited (' Grosvenor') and Vema N.V. ('Vema'). Newmark has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire the share capital of Grosvenor for a maximum consideration of £6.787 million of which up to £3.287 million is payable in cash on completion. Newmark also proposes to acquire Vema by way of an offer for the global depository receipts ('GDRs') representing issued shares in Vema not already controlled by Newmark. The Offer is 1.5 Newmark shares for every GDR and values the GDRs in aggregate at £1.89 million. The acquisitions constitute a reverse takeover and are conditional, inter alia, on shareholder approval. Newmark's Annual General Meeting ('AGM') is to be held on 10 September 2002 and this year will, in addition to the business customarily transacted, ask shareholders to approve the acquisitions and will also approve, inter alia, a capital reorganisation and change of the Company's name to Newmark Security PLC. INFORMATION ON GROSVENOR Grosvenor is involved in the design and manufacture of access control and security management systems. Grosvenor was founded in 1989 by three of its current directors, (Derek Blethyn, Alan Burgess and Peter Brooks) who had previously been involved in the installation of third-party-manufactured security systems. Grosvenor has a track record in product innovation and introduction. Grosvenor produced an access control system with true distributed intelligence in 1990 and a Windows access control system in 1993. In 2000, it produced a Palm based access control system. The company's propriety range of products, JANUS, is sold to major installers and also security service companies including Tyco Electronic Product Group, one of the largest security companies in the world, who have re-badged and marketed the product as their own since 1995. The JANUS product primarily works in conjunction with the Windows operating system and its modular format provides access control, graphical alarm monitoring, video imaging, ID card production, asset protection, plant control and integration with other safety and building management systems such as intruder, fire, CCTV, time and attendance and visitor monitoring. A more restricted functionality is available with the Palm operating system. Core products are designed by an in-house research and development team which currently comprises 10 staff. Manufacturing of the product is sub-contracted to a number of key suppliers. Grosvenor's range of products has been installed in more than 1,000 sites including: British Aerospace, BP plc, China Light and Power Co. Ltd., Hong Kong Immigration Department, Hong Kong Police, The Inland Revenue, Metropolitan Police Service, London Underground Ltd., Marks & Spencer Group PLC, Merrill Lynch PLC, Ministry of Defence, National Air Traffic Services Ltd, National Power PLC, Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Safeway PLC and various museums, galleries and universities. In the financial year ended 31 October 2001 Grosvenor achieved profit before taxation of £547,000 (2000: £255,000) on turnover of £3.016 million (2000: £2.820 million). Net assets at 31 October 2001 were £1.587 million (2000: £1.191 million). Unaudited interim accounts for the seven months ended 31 May 2002 showed profit before taxation of £298,000 on turnover of £1.760 million and net assets of £1.841 million. INFORMATION ON VEMA Vema's share capital is comprised of A shares of a0.02 each (of which 51 per cent. are owned by Vema B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Newmark and the remaining 49 per cent. are represented by GDRs) and B shares of a0.02 each (owned by Vema B.V.). In May 2001, Vema raised net proceeds of £2.1 million by way of a placing and offer for subscription of the GDRs. The GDRs were admitted to trading on AIM as part of this process. Until April 2002, Vema was a specialist distributor of security products using a consultancy based approach to advise customers on the best solution to their installed security locking needs. Based in the Netherlands, Vema supplied an extensive range of sophisticated electronic and electromechanical locking systems, with a high degree of sales and service support. Vema sold these products to a wide range of customers for use in low to high security installations, including banks, prisons, hospitals, museums and government offices. Vema also has a UK subsidiary, Vema UK, which was incorporated on 24 January 2001. The only business carried on by Vema UK is the provision of a loan of £2,880,000 to Newmark. Vema sold its business and trading assets to a member of the Assa Abloy group for approximately a9.8 million (approximately £6 million) cash on 29 April 2002. In the light of increasing competitive pressures and reducing margins, the Vema directors believed that it was prudent to dispose of the business for what they considered to be a good price. Vema is responsible for a potential tax liability arising on the transfer of approximately a2.7 million (approximately £1.6 million) and its own expenses of the disposal. DETAILS OF THE ACQUISITIONS Grosvenor Acquisition Newmark has agreed to acquire Grosvenor from the Grosvenor directors (Derek Blethyn, Alan Burgess, Eric Dew and Peter Brooks) for a maximum consideration of £6.787 million conditional upon Newmark shareholders' approving the Offer, the Grosvenor acquisition and the capital reorganisation, the Offer becoming unconditional and Newmark having satisfactory funding in place to make the Grosvenor acquisition in the form of a loan from Vema. A maximum £3.287 million is payable as initial consideration, with a further payment (of up to £3.5 million) due when the accounts for Grosvenor and Newmark Technology Limited (which will be managed by the Grosvenor directors) have been agreed or determined for the 48 month period ending 31 October 2006 (the 'deferred consideration'). The initial consideration will be paid in cash and will be calculated by reference to Grosvenor's net asset value and cash value as at completion. If the net asset value is greater than or equal to £1.587 million and the cash held by Grosvenor is greater than or equal to £0.7 million, the initial consideration will be £3.287 million. If the cash held by Grosvenor on completion is less than £0.7 million, the initial consideration will be reduced by the amount by which the cash value is less than £0.7 million. If the net asset value of Grosvenor on completion is less than £1.587 million, the initial consideration will be reduced by the amount by which the net asset value of Grosvenor on completion is less than £1.587 million. Newmark will make an initial payment of £2.5 million to the vendors on completion. If, when the net asset value and cash value of Grosvenor as at completion have been calculated, the initial consideration should be less than £2.5 million, the vendors will repay the difference to Newmark. If, when the net asset value and cash value of Grosvenor as at completion has been calculated, the initial consideration should be more than £2.5 million, Newmark will pay the balance to the vendors. The maximum balance payable will be £787,000. The deferred consideration will be wholly satisfied in loan notes denominated in Euros issued by Newmark. These will bear interest at 0.5 per cent. per annum below the base rate from time to time of Lloyds TSB Bank plc. The deferred consideration will be calculated by reference to the average annual profit before tax of Grosvenor and Newmark Technology Limited for the four years ending 31 October 2006, subject to certain adjustments. On completion of the Grosvenor acquisition, Derek Blethyn, Alan Burgess, Peter Brooks and Eric Dew, the directors and vendors of Grosvenor, will enter into service agreements with Grosvenor and will also be appointed directors of Newmark Technology Limited. Further details of the arrangements with the vendors are set out in the prospectus. Immediately after completion of the Grosvenor Acquisition, Newmark will sell its shareholding in Newmark Technology Limited to Grosvenor. This sale is to reflect the fact that the Grosvenor directors will run both businesses. Both companies will remain members of the enlarged group. The initial consideration for the transfer of Newmark Technology Limited to Grosvenor is £625,000, payable in cash on completion. Deferred consideration of a further £625,000 will be payable on 2 November 2006 or such earlier date as the board of Grosvenor agrees. Vema Acquisition Newmark is proposing to acquire Vema by making an offer to the Vema GDR holders for the GDRs representing the 49 per cent. of the issued share capital of Vema that Newmark does not already control. The consideration payable under the Offer will comprise the allotment of Newmark shares to the Vema GDR holders who will receive 1.5 Newmark shares for each GDR they own. Fractional entitlements will not be allotted. The Offer values each Vema GDR at 2.625p based on the closing middle market share price of Newmark's existing ordinary shares on 15 August 2002 of 1.75p. This values the total issued share capital of Vema at £3.857 million, representing a premium of 75.0 per cent. over the middle market price per GDR of 1.5p on 15 August 2002 and a discount of 8.2 per cent. to the net asset value per GDR. In view of their involvement with Newmark either as directors or significant shareholders, the Vema board is unable to provide advice on the terms of the Offer and recommend an appropriate course of action to GDR holders. Accordingly, the independent financial adviser to Vema, Corporate Synergy, has written to the Vema directors with its advice in relation to the Offer. Corporate Synergy has advised the Vema directors that in its view the Offer is fair and reasonable so far as GDR holders are concerned and, in the absence of a higher offer being made for the GDRs, GDR holders should accept the Offer. Application has been made to the London Stock Exchange for Newmark and its issued ordinary share capital (as enlarged by the issue of shares to GDR holders) to be admitted to AIM. It is expected that admission will become effective and that dealings for normal settlement will commence on 11 September 2002. The Offer is conditional, inter alia, on (i) Newmark shareholders resolving to approve the offer and to take the other steps necessary to implement the Offer; and (ii) admission of the enlarged share capital to trading on AIM. In addition, the offer is subject to the conditions set out in Appendix I to the offer document. Irrevocable undertakings to accept the Offer Newmark has received irrevocable undertakings to accept the Offer from GDR holders in respect of 9,550,000 GDRs representing approximately 13.26 per cent. of the GDRs and of the issued share capital of Vema not already controlled by Newmark on 15 August 2002. Newmark already controls 51 per cent. of Vema's shares through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Vema B.V. and therefore owns or has received irrevocable undertakings in respect of a total of 57.5 per cent. of the current issued share capital of Vema. Reasons for the Acquisitions The Board believes that the Grosvenor acquisition is in line with their strategy of creating an integrated high value security solutions group in both mechanical and electronic products. Grosvenor is an established access control and security management systems company with a strong and experienced management team. It sells a sophisticated range of proprietary products through a network of dealers and installers who supply a predominantly blue chip customer base. Grosvenor has a high quality research and development team which is responsive to market demand and has a proven track record of product innovation and introduction. It also has a technical support team. The businesses of Grosvenor and Newmark Technology will be amalgamated and run by Grosvenor's management, creating economies of scale and reducing the combined total overhead. Newmark currently controls 51 per cent. of Vema's shares. Vema no longer trades following the sale of its business and trading assets in April 2002. Therefore, in order to realise value for GDR holders, a number of whom are also Newmark shareholders, Newmark is making the Offer for the GDRs representing the remaining 49 per cent. of the Vema share capital that it does not already control. Newmark intends to use Vema's net cash to finance the initial consideration for the Grosvenor acquisition. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Newmark will remain as currently constituted. Following the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional in all respects, the management agreements of Maurice Dwek and Alex Reid with Vema will be terminated with immediate effect. Maurice Dwek and Alex Reid will remain directors of Vema and will receive compensation for the termination of their management agreements in accordance with the terms of those agreements. CAPITAL REORGANISATION In order to be able to issue shares in the Company to GDR holders on the basis set out above, Newmark has been advised that it must re-organise its share capital. Accordingly it is proposed that each existing ordinary share in issue with a nominal value of 5p will be sub-divided into one ordinary share with a nominal value of 1p and one deferred share with a nominal value of 4p. The resulting ordinary shares will have all the rights of the existing ordinary shares while the deferred shares will be of little or no value. The capital reorganisation is subject to shareholder approval at the AGM and further details are set out in the Prospectus. CHANGE OF NAME Newmark is proposing to change its name to 'Newmark Security PLC'. The Directors believe that the proposed new name better reflects the security focus and established nature of the enlarged group's underlying businesses. CURRENT TRADING AND PROSPECTS Newmark and Vema have today announced their audited results for the year ended 30 April 2002. Newmark reported a profit before taxation of £2.26 million (2001: £620,000 loss) on turnover of £12.027 million (2001: £12.049 million). Net assets at 30 April 2002 amounted to £6.534 million (2001: £2.069 million). Vema reported a profit before taxation of a233,000 (2001: a1.102 million profit) on turnover of a9.034 million (2001: a8.734 million). Net assets at 30 April 2002 were a11.421 million (2001: a1.699 million. The enlarged group is experiencing steady overall growth in demand for its products across the electronic security, asset protection and secure locking divisions. The Directors believe that ever increasing levels of crime and also violence in the workplace will continue to increase demand for the enlarged group's products. In addition, legislative forces such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1985 are expected to create demand for certain recently developed products in future years. The Grosvenor acquisition is part of the Board's long term strategy to focus on higher value added systems solutions. The Directors believe that this will enhance the enlarged group's quality of earnings and provide the opportunity for additional recurring revenue streams generated from maintenance and support services. The Directors' strategy is to create a high value security solutions group in both mechanical and electronic products. The Directors intend that this strategy will be achieved by the following: • Acquisition of Grosvenor: Following completion of the Grosvenor acquisition, the management of Newmark Technology Limited will be combined with that of Grosvenor resulting in annual cost savings in the region of £0.5 million. • Continuous new product development: The Grosvenor acquisition will further enhances the enlarged group's research and development team, reflecting the Directors' commitment to continuous product development. • Diversification in the asset protection division: Safetell and Drion are further diversifying away from the banking sector and will increasingly target local authorities, petrol retailers, hospitals, museums and train stations. • Expansion into new geographical markets: Asset protection sales opportunities are being pursued in Spain and Australia. • Secure locking division: The Directors intend to continue to expand the sale of third party security products to wholesalers and distributors. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING In addition to the ordinary business customarily transacted at the AGM, resolutions will be proposed as special business at this year's AGM as follows: (i) to approve the Offer; (ii) to approve the Grosvenor acquisition; (iii) to implement the capital reorganisation, amend the Company's articles of association, authorise the Directors to allot new shares pursuant to the offer and disapply pre-emption rights in relation to certain future issues of ordinary shares; and (iv) change the Company's name to Newmark Security PLC. The Directors, who have been advised by Williams de Broe, believe that the terms of the Offer, the Grosvenor acquisition and the related sale, capital reorganisation and the change of name are in the best interests of shareholders and unanimously recommend shareholders to vote in favour of these resolutions. Maurice Dwek, Michel Rapoport and Alexander Reid, directors of Newmark, have irrevocably undertaken to vote their beneficial shareholdings amounting, in aggregate, to 41,888,238 ordinary shares (representing approximately 35 per cent. of the issued share capital as at the date of the prospectus) in favour of the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM. EXPECTED TIMETABLE OF EVENTS Publication of prospectus 16 August 2002 Annual General Meeting 10 September 2002 Record date for capital reorganisation 10 September 2002 Capital reorganisation effective 11 September 2002 Admission effective and dealings commence in Newmark's ordinary shares 11 September 2002 GENERAL This announcement does not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase any securities. The closing middle market prices or quotations of Newmark shares and Vema GDRs are derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List. Copies of the prospectus will be available from the offices of Travers Smith Braithwaite at 10 Snow Hill, London EC1A 2AL during normal business hours (Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays excluded) for one month from admission. PRESS ENQUIRIES: Newmark Maurice Dwek, Chairman 01279 658 000 Sassie Rajwan Hansard Communications Adam Reynolds/Takki Sulaiman 0207 735 9415 Williams de Broe Plc - adviser to Newmark Joanne Lake 0113 243 1619 Corporate Synergy - adviser to Vema Lindsay Mair 0207 626 2244 This announcement has been approved solely for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by Williams de Broe Plc of 4 Park Place, Leeds LS1 2RU. Williams de Broe is acting for Newmark and no-one else in connection with the offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Newmark for providing the protections afforded to clients of Williams de Broe or for providing advice in relation to the offer. Corporate Synergy is acting for Vema and no-one else in connection with the offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Vema for providing the protections afforded to clients of Corporate Synergy or for providing advice in relation to the offer. The Offer will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into the USA, Canada, Australia or Japan and this announcement is not being and must not be, mailed, forwarded, transmitted or otherwise distributed or sent into the USA, Canada, Australia or Japan and persons (including custodians, nominees and trustees) receiving this announcement must not distribute or send it, into or from the USA, Canada, Australia or Japan. APPENDIX I FURTHER TERMS OF THE OFFER The Offer, which will be made by Williams de Broe on behalf of Newmark, which is not subject to the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers nor the Dutch equivalent will be governed by English law and be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England. The Offer will be made on the terms set out in the offer document. Terms of the Offer (a) GDRs and/or Vema shares acquired by Newmark pursuant to the Offer will be acquired free from all liens, charges, equitable interests, encumbrances, other interests and third party rights together with all rights now or hereafter attaching thereto, including (in the case of GDRs) all rights attaching to the GDRs under the terms of the trust deed by which they were created. (b) The new Newmark shares to be issued pursuant to the Offer will be issued credited as fully paid and free from all liens, charges, encumbrances, rights of pre-emption and other third party rights or interests of any nature whatsoever and will rank pari passu in all respects with the Newmark shares resulting from the capital reorganisation. (c) Fractions of Newmark shares will not be allotted or issued to persons accepting the Offer and entitlements to Newmark shares under the Offer will be rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares. (d) The full terms of the Offer will be set out in the offer document and the accompanying form of acceptance. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100