1 August 2022
Photo-Me International plc
("ME Group", "the Group" or "the Company")
Change of Company name to ME Group International plc (LSE ticker: MEGP)
ME Group International plc ("the Company"), the diversified instant-service equipment group, is pleased to announce that it has today changed its name to ME Group International plc, from Photo-Me International plc. This takes effect immediately.
The Company's TIDM (ticker) will also change, from PHTM to MEGP, with effect from 8 am tomorrow, 2 August 2022.
Shareholders are not affected by the change. Existing share certificates remain valid and should be retained. The Company's ISIN (GB0008481250) also remains unchanged.
As previously announced, the Group's new corporate brand strategy 'ME Group' was launched in 2021 to reflect the diversification of its operations and innovation across photobooths (Photo.ME) as well as laundry (Wash.ME), kiosks (Print.ME) and food vending (Feed.ME). This strategy has now been rolled out across the Group's 20 operating markets, reinvigorating its relationships with B2B partners, customers and consumers alike.
'ME Group' stands for 'Making Easy' and seeks to make life easier for customers and consumers, providing an increasingly wide range of easy-to-use and convenient vending products and solutions.
Serge Crasnianski, CEO and Deputy Chairman, commented:
"Our name change to ME Group International plc announced today is an important milestone for the Company. The year 2022 is a significant one for us, as we celebrate our 60th anniversary. We have enjoyed a rich history spanning multiple decades, formerly as Photo-Me International, and have seen an ongoing evolution of our proposition particularly in recent years.
"'ME Group' reflects our diversification and innovation strategy which has been successfully implemented across our core business areas. While our photobooth services remain an important part of our operations, and we are using the best available technology to commercialise the next generation of these products, the Group offers an extensive and diverse range of products and services beyond its photobooth heritage. Most notably, we are continuing to grow our presence in the laundry market and working towards our ambition to be a leader in the food vending equipment market in France by the end of next year.
"We are looking forward to the next chapter of our growth, focusing on continued diversification and innovation as we continue to meet the needs of our customers and consumers both today and in the future."
END
Enquiries:
ME Group International plc |
Tel: + 44 (0) 1372 453 399
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Email: ir@photo-me.co.uk
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Hudson Sandler |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7796 4133 |
Wendy Baker/Charlotte Cobb/Nick Moore |
Email: photo-me@hudsonsandler.com |
NOTES TO EDITORS
ME Group International plc operates, sells and services a wide range of instant-service vending equipment, primarily aimed at the consumer market.
LSE Ticker: MEGP from 8am on 2 August 2022 (PHTM on 1 August 2022).
The Group operates vending units across 20 countries and its technological innovation is focused on four principal areas:
· Photo.ME - Photobooths and integrated biometric identification solutions
· Wash.ME - Unattended laundry services and launderettes
· Print.ME - High-quality digital printing kiosks
· Feed.ME - Vending equipment for the food service market
The Group entered the self-service fresh fruit juice equipment market in April 2019, with the acquisition of Sempa, and the acquisition of SGER (Resto'clock) in June 2021, a French Pizza vending equipment company for the self-service food equipment market. Feed.ME will become a key business area - alongside photobooths and identification (Photo.ME), laundry (Wash.ME), and printing kiosks (Print.ME) - and is a significant part of the Group's future growth strategy.
In addition, the Group operates other vending equipment such as children's rides, amusement machines, and business service equipment.
Whilst the Group both sells and services this equipment, the vast majority of units are owned, operated and maintained by ME Group. The Company pays the site owner a commission based on turnover, which varies depending on the country, location and the type of the machine.
The Group has built long-term relationships with major site owners and its equipment is generally sited in prime locations in areas of high footfall such as supermarkets, shopping malls (indoors and outdoors), public transport hubs, and administration buildings (City Halls, Police etc.). Equipment is maintained and serviced by an established network of 650 field engineers.
The Company's shares have been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1962.