Results of Placing

RNS Number : 9091B

Strix Group PLC

05 October 2022

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE, OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, OR INTO, THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE IN ANY JURISDICTION. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION.

5 October 2022

Strix Group PLC

("Strix", the "Company" or the "Group")

Results of Placing

Further to the announcement earlier this morning of the proposed placing of new ordinary shares in Strix (the "Placing Announcement"), Strix is pleased to announce that it has successfully raised approximately £13 million before expenses under the Placing.

A total of 11,304,347 Placing Shares have been placed with  new and existing  investors, conditional on Admission, at a price of 115 pence per Placing Share representing a discount of 10.0% to the closing mid market price on 4 October 2022 (being the last practicable day prior to the release of this Announcement) and 8.0% when taking into account the interim dividend of 2.75p. The Placing Shares represent 5.5% of the issued share capital of Strix.

Pursuant to the Placing, certain directors of the Company have subscribed for Placing Shares as follows:

Director	Position	Previous Holding	% of total issued share capital held previously	Placing Amount	Placing Shares	Resulting holding	Resulting % of issued share capital held
Mark Bartlett	CEO	2,611,987	1.26%	£15,000	13,043	2,625,030	1.20%
Raudres Wong(1)	CFO	1,890,417	0.91%	£100,000	86,957	1,977,374	0.90%
Gary Lamb(2)	Chairman	294,400	0.14%	£200,000	173,913	468,313	0.21%
Richard Sells	NED	-	-	£5,000	4,347	4,347	0.00%
Mark Kirkland	NED	20,135	0.01%	£50,000	43,478	63,613	0.03%
Total	-	4,816,939	2.32%	£370,000	321,738	5,138,677	2.35%

1  Shares held in the name of her husband, Wing Yip Fong

2  Shares registered in the name of GEL Investments Limited, a company controlled by Gary Lamb

Stifel and Zeus acted as joint bookrunners in connection with the Placing. 

Application has been made for the 11,304,347 Placing Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM. It is expected that Admission will occur at 8.00 a.m. on or around 11 October 2022. Following Admission of the Placing Shares, the Company's issued ordinary share capital will comprise 218,710,900 ordinary shares.

Therefore, following Admission of the Placing Shares, the total number of ordinary shares with voting rights in the Company will be 218,710,900 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

Other than where defined, capitalised terms used in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the Placing Announcement.

For further information: 

For further enquiries, please contact:
Strix Group Plc	Tel: [phone]
Mark Bartlett, CEO
Raudres Wong, CFO
Zeus (Joint Bookrunner)	[phone]
Nick Cowles / Jamie Peel / Jordan Warburton / Matt Hogg (Investment Banking) Dominic King (Corporate Broking)
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Joint Bookrunner)	[phone]
Matthew Blawat / Francis North
IFC Advisory Limited (Financial PR and IR)	[phone]
Graham Herring / Tim Metcalfe / Florence Chandler

About Strix Group plc

Isle of Man based Strix, is a global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of kettle safety controls and other components and devices involving water heating and temperature control, steam management and water filtration.

Strix's core product range comprises a variety of safety controls for small domestic appliances, primarily kettles. Kettle safety controls require precision engineering and intricate knowledge of material properties in order to repeatedly function correctly. Strix has built up market leading capability and know-how in this field since being founded in 1982.

Strix is admitted to trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: KETL). 

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	Mark Bartlett
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	Chief Executive Officer
b)	Initial notification /Amendment	Initial notification
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Strix Group plc
b)	LEI	213800KZEW5W6BZMNT62
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument	Ordinary shares of 1 pence each
	Identification code	ISIN: IM00BF0FMG91
b)	Nature of the transaction	Purchase of ordinary shares
c)	Price(s) and volume(s)
			Price(s)	Volume(s)
			115p	13,043
d)	Aggregated information	N/A single transaction
	- Aggregated volume
	- Price
e)	Date of the transaction	5 October
f)	Place of the transaction	Outside of a trading venue

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	Wing Yip Fong (3)
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	PCA of Raudres Wong, CFO of Strix
b)	Initial notification /Amendment	Initial notification
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Strix Group plc
b)	LEI	213800KZEW5W6BZMNT62
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument	Ordinary shares of 1 pence each
	Identification code	ISIN: IM00BF0FMG91
b)	Nature of the transaction	Purchase of ordinary shares
c)	Price(s) and volume(s)
			Price(s)	Volume(s)
			115p	86,957
d)	Aggregated information	N/A single transaction
	- Aggregated volume
	- Price
e)	Date of the transaction	5 October
f)	Place of the transaction	Outside of a trading venue

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	GEL Investments Limited(4)
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	A company controlled by Gary Lamb, Non-executive Chairman of Strix
b)	Initial notification /Amendment	Initial notification
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Strix Group plc
b)	LEI	213800KZEW5W6BZMNT62
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument	Ordinary shares of 1 pence each
	Identification code	ISIN: IM00BF0FMG91
b)	Nature of the transaction	Purchase of ordinary shares
c)	Price(s) and volume(s)
			Price(s)	Volume(s)
			115p	173,913
d)	Aggregated information	N/A single transaction
	- Aggregated volume
	- Price
e)	Date of the transaction	5 October
f)	Place of the transaction	Outside of a trading venue

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	Richard Sells
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	Non-executive Director
b)	Initial notification /Amendment	Initial notification
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Strix Group plc
b)	LEI	213800KZEW5W6BZMNT62
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument	Ordinary shares of 1 pence each
	Identification code	ISIN: IM00BF0FMG91
b)	Nature of the transaction	Purchase of ordinary shares
c)	Price(s) and volume(s)
			Price(s)	Volume(s)
			115p	4,347
d)	Aggregated information	N/A single transaction
	- Aggregated volume
	- Price
e)	Date of the transaction	5 October
f)	Place of the transaction	Outside of a trading venue

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	Mark Kirkland
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	Non-executive Director
b)	Initial notification /Amendment	Initial notification
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Strix Group plc
b)	LEI	213800KZEW5W6BZMNT62
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument	Ordinary shares of 1 pence each
	Identification code	ISIN: IM00BF0FMG91
b)	Nature of the transaction	Purchase of ordinary shares
c)	Price(s) and volume(s)
			Price(s)	Volume(s)
			115p	43,478
d)	Aggregated information	N/A single transaction
	- Aggregated volume
	- Price
e)	Date of the transaction	5 October
f)	Place of the transaction	Outside of a trading venue

3  Shares held by CFO, Raudres Wong, in the name of her husband, Wing Yip Fong

4  Shares registered in the name of GEL Investments Limited, a company controlled by Gary Lamb

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This announcement (the "Announcement") do not constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as, any offer to sell or issue or a solicitation of an offer to buy, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any securities in any jurisdiction. This Announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States of America (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia) (the "United States"), Australia, Canada, Japan, the Republic of South Africa or any other jurisdiction in which such publication or distribution would be unlawful ("Restricted Jurisdiction") (or to any persons in a Restricted Jurisdiction) unless permitted pursuant to an exemption under the relevant local law or regulation in any such jurisdiction. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of the applicable laws of such jurisdictions. Persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.

This Announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. This Announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States.

No action has been taken by the Company, Stifel, Zeus or any of their respective directors, officers, partners, agents, employees, affiliates, advisors, consultants, persons connected with them as defined in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended ("FSMA") (together, "Affiliates") that would permit an offer of the Placing Shares or possession or distribution of this Announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to such Placing Shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Persons receiving this Announcement are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions contained in this Announcement.

This Announcement is directed at and is only being distributed to: (A) if in a member state of the European Economic Area, persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended (the "EU Prospectus Regulation"), (B) if in the United Kingdom, persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended (the "UK Prospectus Regulation") and who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of FSMA (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"); or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order or (C) other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). No other person should act on or rely on this Announcement and persons distributing this Announcement must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so. By accepting the terms of this Announcement, you represent and agree that you are a Relevant Person. This Announcement must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this Announcement relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. As regards all persons other than Relevant Persons, the details of the Placing set out in this Announcement are for information purposes only.

Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual or other legal obligation to forward a copy of this Announcement should seek appropriate advice before taking any action.

This Announcement is not being distributed by, nor has it been approved for the purposes of section 21 of FSMA by, a person authorised under FSMA. This Announcement is being distributed and communicated to persons in the United Kingdom only in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not require approval of the communication by an authorised person.

No prospectus has been or will be made available in connection with the matters contained in this Announcement and no such prospectus is required (in accordance with the EU Prospectus Regulation and the UK Prospectus Regulation) to be published.

The information contained in this Announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information contained in this Announcement or its accuracy, fairness or completeness. None of the information in this Announcement has been independently verified or approved by Stifel, Zeus or any of their respective Affiliates.

Stifel and Zeus, each of which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, are acting exclusively for the Company and for no one else in connection with the Placing and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Announcement) as a client in relation to the Placing or any other matter referred to in this Announcement, and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to their respective clients nor for providing advice in relation to the Placing, or any other matter referred to in this Announcement. The responsibilities of Zeus as the Company's nominated adviser under the AIM Rules for Companies and the AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange and are not owed to the Company or any director, shareholder or any other person.

This Announcement is being issued by and is the sole responsibility of the Company. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by or on behalf of Stifel or Zeus or any of their respective Affiliates as to, or in relation to, the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of this Announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability therefor is expressly disclaimed.

Recipients of this Announcement should conduct their own independent investigation, evaluation and assessment of the merits or otherwise of the business, data and property described in this Announcement. This Announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning any investor's options with respect to the Placing. The price and value of securities can go down as well as up. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. No statement in this Announcement is intended to be a profit forecast and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share of the Company. The contents of this Announcement are not to be construed as legal, business, financial, regulatory or tax advice. Each shareholder or prospective investor should consult with his or her or its own legal adviser, business adviser, financial adviser or tax adviser for legal, financial, business, regulatory or tax advice. Investing in the Placing Shares involves a substantial degree of risk.

The Placing Shares will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than AIM.

Neither the content of the Company's website (or any other website) nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this Announcement.

Information to Distributors

UK product governance

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within of Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Production Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the "UK Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that such securities are: (i) compatible with an end target market of investors who meet the criteria of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all permitted distribution channels (the "UK Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the UK Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: (a) the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; (b) the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and (c) an investment in the Placing Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The UK Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Placing. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the UK Target Market Assessment, the Joint Bookrunners will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties.

For the avoidance of doubt, the UK Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of Chapter 9A or 10A respectively of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Placing Shares.

Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Placing Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.

EEA product governance

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Company's ordinary shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Placing. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the Joint Bookrunners will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Placing Shares.

Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Placing Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.

 

END

 

 

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