Re German JV

RNS Number : 7171Q

Grainger PLC

09 November 2012

 



9 November 2012

Grainger plc ("Grainger" / the "Company")

HEITMAN PARTNERS WITH GRAINGER PLC

IN GERMAN RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT

Grainger plc and global real estate investment firm Heitman today announce that they have signed an agreement to create a joint venture (JV), "MH Grainger JV Sarl", to invest in a c.3,000 unit German rented residential portfolio currently wholly owned by Grainger. The JV will be 75:25 owned by Heitman, on behalf of a global institutional investor, and Grainger, respectively. The JV's long-term strategy is aimed at maximising returns through income growth and active asset management. The completion of the deal is subject to a set of Conditions Precedent and is expected to complete soon.

Today's agreement is in line with Grainger's previously stated strategy to align itself with third party institutional capital to make more efficient use of its balance sheet and operational platform. The transaction will allow Grainger to leverage its management platform, acting as the JV's expert partner in German residential property investment. Grainger will receive fee income for its services to the JV and also retain a strategic stake in the portfolio.

For Heitman the JV represents a further step in its growth in Europe and the continuation of the firm's successful global strategy of identifying promising trends ahead of the overall market and aligning itself with strong local property firms in order to deliver results for its investors.

The JV will acquire a portfolio of German residential assets currently wholly owned by Grainger, representing €232m of Grainger's total €474m German portfolio as at 31 March 2012. The portfolio comprises 2,985 residential units across six regions in Germany and produces an approximate annualised profit of €5.2m, including revaluation gains. The transaction will give rise to a one-off post tax charge currently estimated at £5.2m (€6.5m) including costs. This will be taken into account in the income statement for the year ended 30 September 2012 as a non-recurring item. This equates to a reduction in Grainger's NNNAV of c.1.3 pence.

Grainger has arranged €152m of debt which will also be transferred to the JV, resulting in a JV LTV of 65%. The consideration payable to Grainger for the 75% stake is €54m, subject to a normal completion balance sheet process. Consequently, Grainger's debt will reduce by c.€206m.

Grainger will provide management services to the new JV for which it will receive standard management and incentive fees.

Grainger continues to directly own a further 3,400 assets in Germany.

German residential property investment is an attractive sector offering strong income generation characteristics, with limited new supply coming into the market, and offers the potential for significant rental and value growth in the medium to long term. 

Commenting on the new joint venture, Rob Reiskin, co-head of Europe at Heitman, said:

"We are very happy to partner with best-in-class operator Grainger in the German rented residential market where we view the fundamentals as particularly attractive. Moreover, with most of the assets located in high barrier to entry premier markets, Bavaria and Baden Württemberg, the JV provides a rare opportunity for institutional investment where it has formerly been difficult to gain exposure."

Andrew Cunningham, chief executive of Grainger plc, said:

"This new partnership with Heitman and its institutional client represents a strong endorsement of Grainger's operational platform and the prospects for the German residential investment market. This deal supports our on-going programme of generating greater fee income from third parties, balancing our trading income with other recurring income - a key aim for the Company, and our process of deleveraging.

"Grainger has established a strong track record of creating co-investment vehicles and we are extremely pleased to be partnering with such major international institutional investors in Germany. There is a strong interest among many other global real estate investors in the residential market at the moment which allows us to align our interests closely and provide our operational platform and expert management services to those investors wishing to access the residential market in the UK as well as Germany."

-ENDS-

For further information:

Grainger plc
Mark Greenwood/ Kurt Mueller
Tel: [phone]

FTI Consulting (PR Adviser to Grainger plc)
Stephanie Highett/ Dido Laurimore/ Will Henderson
Tel: [phone]

Grainger plc company background information

Grainger plc is the UK's largest listed residential owner and manager. Grainger has over £3.0bn of residential assets under management across the UK and Germany. Grainger invests in, trades and rents residential property across the UK and Germany, and provides its services to select third parties. Grainger was established in 1912 in Newcastle upon Tyne, where it remains headquartered. In 2012, Grainger won the UK's Residential Asset Manager of the Year at the RESI Awards. Grainger is a constituent of the FTSE 250 on the London Stock Exchange and the FTSE4Good index.

About Heitman

Heitman, founded in 1966 and headquartered in Chicago, manages approximately $26 billion in assets invested directly and indirectly in real estate in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The firm's clients include institutions, pension plans, endowments and foundations, and individual investors.

More information regarding Heitman can be found at www.heitman.com.

 

END

 

 

JVELFFIILFLTIIF