Disposal

Rentokil Initial PLC 30 March 2007 30 March 2007 INITIAL ELECTRONIC SECURITY GROUP: OFFER FROM UTC Rentokil Initial plc (LSE: RTO) announces an offer from United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX) for its electronic security division. UTC's offer values Initial Electronic Security Group ('IESG') at £595 million. The offer consideration is payable in cash at closing. Closing of the transaction is conditional upon a limited number of items including regulatory approvals and consultations with employee works councils in France and the Netherlands. These will be sought and take place over the next several weeks with a view to completing a transaction before the end of June. Proceeds will be used to reduce debt. Doug Flynn, Chief Executive of Rentokil Initial, said today: 'This offer for our electronic security businesses represents good value for Rentokil Initial shareholders. 'Over the past 18 months we have been actively reshaping Rentokil Initial's business portfolio, investing particularly in businesses where we have or can achieve market leading positions. We have therefore made successful acquisitions in pest control and parcel delivery and in our Asia Pacific businesses and sold businesses in conferences and manned guarding. Completing this transaction will be a significant step towards focusing our resources on those businesses where we are best positioned to create additional value for shareholders.' Bill Brown, president of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., said today: 'IESG is an excellent strategic fit with our electronic security business. The addition of IESG will strengthen our presence in Europe, particularly in the U.K., Netherlands and France, while adding branch locations in the U.S. The combined businesses position us well for further growth and expansion, and brings additional value to our customers, shareholders and employees. We are looking forward to welcoming IESG employees to UTC Fire & Security.' Rentokil Initial is being advised by Greenhill & Co. International LLP. Enquiries: Rentokil Initial plc +44 (0) 20 7866 3000 Malcolm Padley - Corporate Communications Lisa Williams - Investor Relations Further information: This announcement follows a previously announced strategic review of Rentokil Initial's electronic security activities. It confirms that while Initial Electronic Security Group has performed well under Rentokil Initial ownership, it is of greater strategic value to other participants in the industry who may be better positioned to support its long term growth. Initial Electronic Security Group The businesses within Initial Electronic Security Group (IESG) - principally comprising Initial Fire & Security, Varel, Delta and Initial Electronics - are leading providers of electronic security services to commercial and public sector customers in the UK, France, the Netherlands and the USA. The businesses mainly provide installation, maintenance and monitoring services for electronic security systems including intruder alarms, fire alarms, CCTV and access control. IESG also provides integrated security system solutions on more complex security projects for corporate organisations, private individuals and government facilities globally. In the year to 31 December 2006, IESG had £40.4 million of adjusted operating profit (before amortisation of intangible assets and one-off items) on £282.1 million of revenue, with gross assets at 31 December of £185.1 million. IESG is headquartered in Blackburn, UK and managed by Clive Hayton. Rentokil Initial Rentokil Initial is one of the largest business services companies in the world, operating in all the major economies of Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and Africa. The company provides a range of support services in over 40 countries where the 'Rentokil' and 'Initial' brands have come to represent innovation, deep expertise and consistent quality of service. Services include textiles and washroom services, pest control, tropical plants, parcel delivery and facilities services. UTC Fire & Security UTC Fire & Security, headquartered in Farmington, Conn., USA, provides fire safety and security solutions to more than one million customers worldwide. It is a unit of United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., a diversified company that provides high technology products and services to the aerospace and commercial building industries worldwide. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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