Acquisition

Wincanton PLC 09 December 2002 Proposed Acquisition of P&O Trans European for GBP152.5 million 'An ideal opportunity to continue the successful expansion of Wincanton' Wincanton Plc ('Wincanton'), a leading provider of complex supply chain solutions, is pleased to announce the proposed acquisition of P&O Trans European ('Trans European') on a debt free basis for GBP152.5 million in cash. This acquisition increases the scale, range and geographic scope of Wincanton's service offering to customers, confirming its position as the second largest logistics company in the UK and opening up new markets in Continental Europe. Key Points Trans European - An established pan-European contract logistics provider with extensive coverage in the UK and Western Europe and growing presence in Eastern Europe. - A broadly-based business serving blue chip customers in the petrochemical, automotive, and other industrial sectors. Growing presence in consumer goods and retail. - Full range of integrated logistics solutions on a dedicated and shared user basis including cross border '4PL' supply chain services. Reasons for Acquisition - Confirms Wincanton's position as one of the largest supply chain solutions companies in the UK. - Creates a pan-European platform in a single step. - Enables Wincanton to meet demand from its existing blue-chip customer base to provide services on a broader geographic base. - Complementary fit of Wincanton's retail and consumer customer base with Trans European's predominantly industrial customer base. Management - Creation of two operating boards, one for the UK and one for Continental Europe. Paul Bateman and Gerard Connell will sit on both boards. - Wincanton and Trans European in UK and Ireland to be integrated into a single management structure under Graeme McFaull, currently Managing Director, Consumer Logistics and an experienced member of Wincanton's main board. - Continental European businesses will report to Peter Brown, currently Managing Director, Industrial Logistics and another experienced member of Wincanton's main board. Financial Background - Acquisition is expected to enhance Wincanton's earnings, measured before reorganisation costs and goodwill amortisation, in first full year of ownership. - Operational efficiencies of not less than GBP2 million p.a. within 18 months of acquisition. - Acquisition is supported by a strong asset base with only a small element of goodwill. - In year ended 31 December 2001 Trans European reported operating profit before goodwill amortisation and discontinued operations of GBP14.5 million (2000: GBP13.3 million) on sales before discontinued operations of GBP690.9 million (2000: GBP596.9 million). - Acquisition funded by new five year committed bank facilities of GBP270 million. Paul Bateman, Chief Executive of Wincanton, said: 'The earnings enhancing acquisition of Trans European is an ideal opportunity to continue the successful expansion of Wincanton. Our strategy has long been to expand our range of services and geographical coverage for our customers. Trans European fits both these requirements.' An analyst presentation will take place at the offices of Buchanan Communications on Monday 9th December 2002, at 10.00 a.m., 107 Cheapside, London, EC2 For further details please contact Buchanan Communications For further enquiries please contact: Wincanton Paul Bateman, Chief Executive 020 7466 5000 (today) Gerard Connell, Group Finance Director 01963 828282 (thereafter) Charles Carr, Director of Marketing & Communications Lazard Richard Stables 020 7588 2721 Buchanan Communications Richard Oldworth/Charles Ryland/Jeremy Garcia 020 7466 5000 Lazard is acting for Wincanton in connection with the acquisition of Trans European and no-one else and will not be responsible to anyone other than Wincanton for providing the protections offered to clients of Lazard nor for providing advice in relation to the acquisition of Trans European nor any other matter referred to in this announcement. Cazenove and CSFB are acting as joint brokers to Wincanton. Proposed Acquisition of P&O Trans European for GBP152.5 million Introduction Wincanton ('Company') announces that it has agreed the terms of the proposed acquisition of P&O Trans European ('Trans European') ('Acquisition') from The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company ('P&O'). The total consideration of GBP152.5 million, on a debt free basis, is payable in cash on completion, subject to certain completion adjustments, including in respect of working capital. The Acquisition will be financed by new bank facilities. The Acquisition is expected to be earnings enhancing, before re-organisation costs, in the first full year of ownership. There is also expected to be only a small element of goodwill arising given the anticipated level of asset backing relative to the consideration payable. In view of the size of the Acquisition relative to the Group, completion is conditional upon, inter alia, the approval of shareholders. This approval will be sought at an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held at 10:30 am on 27 December 2002 at the offices of Linklaters, One Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ. Background Since the demerger of Wincanton, the continued growth in the UK market for outsourced logistics services has resulted in attractive opportunities for the Company. During this period, Wincanton has reported double digit earnings per share growth (excluding pension credit and before exceptional items) and has reduced net debt by GBP42 million, to GBP7.8 million at 30 September 2002. In the UK, Wincanton has grown profitably by developing its contract base with existing blue-chip customers and by targeting new customers, sectors and services. Outside the UK, Wincanton has sought to develop a platform to achieve its stated strategy of becoming a provider of supply chain services on a pan-European basis and beyond. The Directors have, as a consequence, actively reviewed a number of potential acquisitions, joint ventures and commercial alliances. The proposed acquisition of Trans European represents an attractive opportunity for Wincanton to increase significantly the scale, range and geographic scope of its service offering to customers, confirming its position as the second largest company in its sector in the UK and opening up new markets in Continental Europe. Information on Trans European Overview Trans European's objective since the late 1980s has been to develop its business, originally largely UK and transport-based, into a pan-European provider of supply chain services. Through a combination of organic investment in new facilities and acquisitions to expand services, customer base and geographic coverage, significant progress has been made towards this objective. A growing contract logistics business has been developed in the UK, with an expanding service range recently further extended through acquisition into a new market, data records management. A well-established national operation in Germany, built originally around a shared user network, has been successfully developing its portfolio of contract customers. The German business also includes freight management operations focussing on intermodal movements by both rail and river. Early entry into the markets of Eastern Europe has created good positions in these growing economies. Facilities have been established in the Benelux countries. Recent acquisitions have augmented Trans European's operations in France and established a presence in the growing Spanish market. Trading partners in other countries, such as Italy and Austria, substantially complete the European coverage. The business, operating from over 200 sites, is now able to offer its customers both a presence in most of the national markets of Europe and supply chain services on a pan-European basis. Its customer base is derived principally from industrial sectors such as paper, engineering, petrochemical and automotive, and it has also been successfully winning new business in the retail and consumer sectors. In the financial year ended 31 December 2001, turnover was generated as follows: 27 per cent. from the petrochemical sector; 25 per cent. from the automotive sector; and 25 per cent. from other industrial sectors. Consumer goods and retail accounted for 17 per cent. and 6 per cent. of turnover, respectively. UK and Ireland Like Wincanton, Trans European operates principally in the UK and Ireland on the basis of open-book contracts. Good new business wins have been driven by substantial capital investment in new warehousing facilities. Its customer base now includes manufacturers of industrial and fast-moving consumer products, general merchandise and grocery retailers and petroleum companies. Trans European also has a growing presence in the data records management industry. In the financial year ended 31 December 2001, the UK and Ireland business generated GBP177.6 million of turnover. Continental Europe - Germany Trans European has established a significant presence in Germany, the largest logistics market in Europe. It operates both dedicated facilities and a shared user network. Some 60 per cent. of the volume of goods handled by the shared user network is generated by contract logistics customers. Trans European operates few of its own vehicles, and predominantly sub-contracts the vehicle movements that link together the shared user depot network. Trans European also has an important intermodal business, managing freight movements by both rail and river, with a strong presence in the management of container traffic on the Rhine. In the financial year ended 31 December 2001, the German business generated GBP380.3 million of turnover, of which intermodal represented approximately 30 per cent. Particular consideration has been given to the German market as part of Wincanton's analysis of Trans European. Although substantial in turnover terms, the German businesses are currently trading at around breakeven. New depot and contract start-ups, in addition to a general economic slowdown, have adversely affected profitability. We believe a strong presence in the German market to be important strategically, but have made allowance for the short-term outlook in our projections. Measures are being implemented by the German management team of Trans European to increase operational efficiencies and reduce costs and these will remain a key area of focus against an uncertain economic background. Wincanton will also seek to increase the volume of network movements derived from contract logistics customers, reassess the efficiency and asset utilisation of the current network and work to generate new business in the German market from existing Wincanton customers. - France, Spain and Benelux Prior to the acquisition of Marqueset in 2000, Trans European's operations in France consisted of Mondia, a well-established business based in Strasbourg. The acquisition of Marqueset added branches in Paris and Lyons. The French business, which is principally transport-based, has been developing a wider range of logistics services and has been successful in winning contracts from domestic customers as well as selling its services to existing multi-national customers of Trans European, thereby extending these relationships into new markets. In 2000, Trans European acquired Transportes Internacionales Marqueset SA, a Spanish provider of domestic and international logistics and distribution services, currently from a predominantly transport base. Operating from Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Irun, Trans European serves the automotive, industrial and consumer goods sectors. As in France, Trans European is focussing increasingly on logistics services and has successfully won contracts from existing multi-national customers of Trans European. Trans European activities in Benelux are centered around a modern logistics complex at 's-Heerenberg from which it provides warehousing, distribution and value added services such as re-packing and spare part logistics. In addition, it operates a dedicated facility at Niederkorn in Luxembourg. In the financial year ended 31 December 2001, the businesses in France, Spain and Benelux generated GBP90.4 million of turnover. - Eastern Europe Trans European has an established presence in the growing markets of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. It offers warehousing and distribution services through a network of shared user warehouses and transportation and also runs dedicated operations, principally for multi-national customers. In the financial year ended 31 December 2001, the East European businesses reported GBP23.8 million of turnover. - 4PL Trans European offers pan-European supply chain management services to a growing number of customers. Its principal role is to organise and manage product flows rather than physically operate the underlying assets required to handle these flows. Such services are often referred to as 4th Party Logistics ('4PL'). In the financial year ended 31 December 2001, Trans European's principal 4PL contract, through a 50 per cent. share in a joint venture company, PGN, generated GBP48.8 million of turnover. Outside PGN, new business has also been won in this growing area and total turnover from such activities is expected to be significantly higher in the current year. Financial Performance In the financial year ended 31 December 2001, Trans European reported operating profit before goodwill amortisation from continuing operations of GBP14.5 million (2000: GBP13.3 million) on sales from continuing operations of GBP690.9 million (2000: GBP596.9 million). In the three years to 31 December 2001, Trans European reported an increase in operating profits from GBP10.7 million to GBP14.6 million. UK and Ireland operating profits fell from GBP5.1 million to GBP3.1 million as growth in contract logistics was off-set by a deterioration in the performance of the tanker operations. The profitability of the tanker operations is believed to have stabilized in the current financial year. The growth in profits from the Continental European operations arose from a combination of contribution from acquisitions and a strong performance from 4PL offsetting weakness in the German logistics business. As at 31 December 2001, Trans European reported net assets of GBP90.6 million (2000: GBP71.0 million). Pro forma net assets at the same date, excluding net debt, were approximately GBP140.7 million, of which net assets of GBP12.4 million, consisting of properties, are not being acquired. Management Structure Post Acquisition Wincanton will establish a management structure which will recognise both the continuing importance of national markets and the opportunities for future growth on a regional basis. The new management structure will benefit from Paul Bateman's extensive experience of the successful implementation of national and international logistics strategies for both retailers and manufacturers. The operations of Trans European and Wincanton in the UK and Ireland will be integrated into a single management structure with a number of operating units sharing common support services. The Managing Director of the UK and Irish business will be Graeme McFaull, an experienced member of the main board of Wincanton. In future, Wincanton will consolidate the results of the UK and Irish operations for the purposes of financial reporting. The current heads of the other European businesses will continue to report into the Trans European Continental European head office in Mannheim, Germany. The Managing Director of these international operations will be Peter Brown, another experienced member of the main board of Wincanton, who will also be responsible for the growing 4PL and international freight management businesses of the Enlarged Group. The results of the Continental European and international operations will be consolidated for the purposes of financial reporting. Wincanton proposes to establish two operating boards, one for the UK and Ireland and one for Continental Europe. These will consist of senior managers from both Wincanton and Trans European. These boards will be chaired by Paul Bateman, the Chief Executive of Wincanton. Gerard Connell, the Group Finance Director, will also sit on both boards. These boards will initially be responsible for integrating the Wincanton and Trans European businesses and thereafter for overseeing the development of the enlarged group on a Europe wide basis. The Board of Wincanton believes that the Trans European business will benefit from greater focus as a consequence of being part of a dedicated supply chain services group. Acquisition Rationale Wincanton believes that many existing and potential customers will continue to award contracts for the outsourcing of supply chain services on a national basis. Over the medium-term, however, many larger companies, including Wincanton's current customers, are also expected to offer opportunities to service providers able to operate on a broader geographic basis. The acquisition of Trans European confirms Wincanton's base in the UK, brings a national presence in the major European economies as well as the growing markets of Eastern Europe, and offers a platform to develop customer services on a pan-European basis. Wincanton's Board believes that the Acquisition will generate significant incremental growth potential for Wincanton. The short-term initiatives envisaged by Wincanton differ from country to country, not least because Trans European's presence is not equally well-developed in each of the countries in which it operates. The medium-term objective is the creation of a leading pan-European provider of supply chain services, capable of generating incremental growth opportunities through the transfer of people, operational expertise and customer relationships within and across national boundaries. The senior management resource of the business will increase its focus on the profitable utilisation of existing assets rather than further network expansion. UK and Ireland Trans European's UK and Irish operations are well known to Wincanton. Its customer base complements the Wincanton customer base and both broadens and strengthens Wincanton's presence in these markets. The UK and Ireland will continue to represent key areas of focus for the Enlarged Group and there is believed to be significant potential to generate operational efficiencies, improve asset utilisation and reduce infrastructure costs by merging the two businesses. The Trans European data records management business also takes Wincanton into a new and growing market. The combination of the Trans European and Wincanton businesses will reinforce Wincanton's current position as the second largest supply chain service provider in the UK market. Continental Europe Trans European brings Wincanton both a domestic presence in the main markets of Continental Europe and an ability to offer pan-European supply chain services to larger customers. Acquiring such a platform, in a single step, is believed to represent a lower level of transaction and integration risk than the acquisition of a series of national businesses to create a similar level of regional coverage. Wincanton's strategy for Trans European is to both build critical mass in national markets and improve its efficiency as a regional network. There are already encouraging signs of new business having been won in countries such as France and Spain as a consequence of customer relationships elsewhere in the Trans European business. It is believed that further progress will be made through developing business in Continental Europe with Wincanton's existing customers through the transferral of key Wincanton skills such as automated warehousing. Financial Effects of Acquisition Wincanton's Board believes that the combination of Wincanton with Trans European's existing operations will result in opportunities to generate both additional revenue growth in the UK and Continental Europe and operational efficiencies, initially in the UK. Improvements in operational efficiency are expected to improve operating profit by not less than GBP2.0 million per annum within 18 months of acquisition. The Directors do not expect the cash costs of achieving this level of savings to exceed GBP2.0 million. The Directors believe that, measured before reorganisation costs and goodwill amortisation, the Acquisition will enhance Wincanton's earnings in the first full year of ownership. The statements in this paragraph should not be interpreted to mean that Wincanton's future earnings per share will necessarily be higher or lower than its historical published earnings per share. Financing the Acquisition The total consideration payable on completion on a debt free basis will be GBP152.5 million. In order to fund this consideration and to ensure that the enlarged group is financed on a conservative basis, Wincanton has entered into new debt facilities totalling GBP270 million. Of these facilities, GBP155 million is available under a 5 year amortising term loan and GBP115 million is available under a 5 year revolving credit facility. In addition, the Enlarged Group will have overdraft and other short-term facilities in excess of GBP20 million. The Board believes that the Enlarged Group will operate within prudent balance sheet and profit and loss account financing ratios following completion of the Acquisition and will also focus, as it has done in respect of Wincanton since demerger, on opportunities to improve the cashflow and reduce the asset intensity of Trans European. Current trading and future prospects of the Enlarged Group As indicated when the interim results were announced on 5 November 2002, good progress has been made towards Wincanton's new business targets and levels of enquiry remain encouraging. Wincanton's markets continue to be challenging and competitive but the Board remains confident that Wincanton will achieve further progress this year. Current trading for 2002 remains in line with expectations for Trans European. New contracts are being won and existing contracts extended, in spite of the uncertainty arising from the sale of the business which was announced by P&O in May 2002. Profit progress is anticipated to be made in the UK operations with weaker economic conditions in Germany resulting in reduced profitability in Continental Europe. Against this background and following the Acquisition of Trans European, Wincanton's Board views the future prospects of the Enlarged Group with confidence. Extraordinary General Meeting An Extraordinary General Meeting of Wincanton is to be held at the offices of Linklaters, One Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ at 10:30 am on 27 December 2002. At this meeting, the Resolution will be proposed to approve the Acquisition. A circular is expected to be posted to Ordinary Shareholders shortly setting out the Resolution to be proposed at the EGM and further details of the Acquisition. Directors Intentions Wincanton's Directors, who have received financial advice from Lazard, consider the Acquisition to be in the best interests of the Company and Shareholders as a whole. In providing financial advice to the Directors, Lazard has placed reliance on the Directors' commercial assessment of the Acquisition. Accordingly, the Directors unanimously recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolution to be proposed at the Extraordinary General Meeting as they intend to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings of in aggregate 212,345 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 0.19 per cent. of the Company's existing issued ordinary share capital. For further enquiries please contact: Wincanton Paul Bateman, Chief Executive 01963 828282 Gerard Connell, Group Finance Director Charles Carr, Director of Marketing & Communications Lazard Richard Stables 020 7588 2721 Buchanan Communications Richard Oldworth / Charles Ryland/ Jeremy Garcia 020 7466 5000 Lazard is acting for Wincanton in connection with the acquisition of Trans European and no-one else and will not be responsible to anyone other than Wincanton for providing the protections offered to clients of Lazard nor for providing advice in relation to the acquisition of Trans European nor any other matter referred to in this announcement. Financial Information - Trans European Combined profit and loss accounts for the three years ended 31 December 2001 1999 2000 2001 GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP m m m m m m Turnover Continuing operations 529.9 596.9 687.8 Acquisitions - - 3.1 -------- --------- -------- 529.9 596.9 690.9 Discontinued operations 43.3 45.1 30.0 -------- -------- -------- 573.2 642.0 720.9 Net operating expenses (562.6) (628.8) (705.2) -------- -------- -------- Operating profit before goodwill amortisation 10.6 13.2 15.7 Goodwill amortisation (0.1) (0.4) (0.9) -------- -------- -------- Operating profit Continuing operations 10.4 12.9 12.7 Acquisitions - - 1.1 -------- -------- -------- 10.4 12.9 13.8 Discontinued operations 0.1 (0.1) 1.0 -------- -------- -------- Operating profit 10.5 12.8 14.8 Share of operating profit/(loss) of associates 0.2 - (0.2) -------- -------- -------- Total operating profit 10.7 12.8 14.6 Profit on sale of discontinued operations - - 10.4 Profit/(loss) on sale of assets used in continuing operations (1.4) 0.2 (0.9) -------- -------- -------- Profit on ordinary activities before interest 9.3 13.0 24.1 Interest receivable and similar income 0.7 1.1 0.8 Interest payable and similar charges (4.2) (7.4) (8.2) -------- -------- -------- Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 5.8 6.7 16.7 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (1.2) (3.3) (3.8) -------- -------- -------- Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 4.6 3.4 12.9 Minority interests (0.6) (1.5) (1.9) -------- -------- -------- Profit for the financial year 4.0 1.9 11.0 -------- -------- -------- Combined balance sheets at 31 December 1999, 2000 and 2001 1999 2000 2001 GBPm GBPm GBPm Fixed assets Intangible assets 2.7 12.9 17.2 Tangible assets 94.7 119.0 136.5 Investments Investments in associates 1.9 1.1 1.9 Other investments 2.2 2.2 1.5 ------- ------- ------- 101.5 135.2 157.1 ------- ------- ------- Current assets Stocks 5.8 6.6 6.5 Debtors 109.5 136.0 144.4 Cash at bank and in hand 15.6 24.3 20.1 ------- ------- ------- 130.9 166.9 171.0 Creditors: amounts falling within one year (113.6) (134.4) (156.8) ------- ------- ------- Net current assets 17.3 32.5 14.2 ------- ------- ------- Total assets less current liabilities 118.8 167.7 171.3 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (28.5) (68.1) (55.7) Provisions for liabilities and charges (21.5) (22.9) (20.2) ------- ------- ------- Net assets before minority interests 68.8 76.7 95.4 Minority interests (4.6) (5.7) (4.8) ------- ------- ------- Net assets 64.2 71.0 90.6 ------- ------- ------- Combined shareholders' funds 64.2 71.0 90.6 ------- ------- ------- Combined cash flow statements for the three years ended 31 December 2001 Combined cash flow statement 1999 2000 2001 GBPm GBPm GBPm Cash flow from operating activities 16.6 15.0 23.7 Dividends from associates 0.2 - - Returns on investments and servicing of finance (2.8) (4.6) (8.4) Taxation (3.9) (1.6) (1.5) Capital expenditure and financial investment (19.7) (27.5) (32.3) Acquisitions and disposals (3.5) (11.0) 7.0 ------- ------- ------- Cash outflow before financing (13.1) (29.7) (11.5) Financing 18.7 42.5 0.2 ------- ------- ------- Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period 5.6 12.8 (11.3) ------- ------- ------- Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt 1999 2000 2001 GBPm GBPm GBPm Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period 5.6 12.8 (11.3) Cash (inflow)/outflow from loans to and from P&O 3.2 (39.1) 15.6 Cash (inflow)/outflow from changes in debt (2.8) 1.5 (6.6) ------- ------- ------- Change in net debt resulting from cash flows 6.0 (24.8) (2.3) Loans (acquired)/sold with subsidiary (0.1) (3.0) 0.9 Exchange differences (0.1) (0.4) 0.8 ------- ------- ------- Movement in net debt in the period 5.8 (28.2) (0.6) Net debt at the start of the period (27.1) (21.3) (49.5) ------- ------- ------- Net debt at the end of the period (21.3) (49.5) (50.1) ------- ------- ------- Combined statement of total recognised gains and losses for the three years ended 31 December 2001 1999 2000 2001 GBPm GBPm GBPm Profit for the financial year Trans European 3.8 1.9 11.2 Share of associates 0.2 - (0.2) ------- ------- ------- 4.0 1.9 11.0 Revaluation of properties 0.1 0.4 (0.2) Currency translation differences on foreign currency investments (0.2) 0.1 (0.1) ------- ------- ------- Total recognised gains and losses relating to the financial year 3.9 2.4 10.7 ------- ------- ------- Combined shareholders' funds reconciliation for the three years ended 31 December 2001 1999 2000 2001 GBPm GBPm GBPm Total recognised gains arising in the year 3.9 2.4 10.7 Net investment by P&O 19.1 3.8 10.1 Exchange adjustments (5.4) 0.6 (1.2) ------- ------- ------- Net movement in combined shareholders' funds 17.6 6.8 19.6 Opening combined shareholders' funds 46.6 64.2 71.0 ------- ------- ------- Closing combined shareholders' funds 64.2 71.0 90.6 ------- ------- ------- Segmental information Trans European is a provider of European logistics services. An analysis of Trans European's financial results by geographical origin is provided below. An analysis of Trans European's financial results by geographical destination has not been provided as it is not materially different from the analysis provided by geographical origin. 1999 2000 2001 GBPm GBPm GBPm Turnover by geographical area of origin Germany and Switzerland 333.9 351.2 380.3 France, Spain and Benelux 34.2 54.4 90.4 Eastern Europe 15.1 17.6 23.8 PGN (a pan-European 4PL business) 39.6 44.6 48.8 ------- ------- ------- Continental Europe 422.8 467.8 543.3 UK and Ireland 150.4 174.2 177.6 ------- ------- ------- 573.2 642.0 720.9 ------- ------- ------- Total operating profit by geographical area of origin UK and Ireland 5.1 4.4 3.1 Continental Europe 5.6 8.4 11.5 ------- ------- ------- 10.7 12.8 14.6 ------- ------- ------- Profit before interest by geographical area of origin UK and Ireland 5.0 4.4 3.1 Continental Europe 4.3 8.6 21.0 ------- ------- ------- 9.3 13.0 24.1 ------- ------- ------- Net assets before minority interests by geographical area of origin UK and Ireland 15.7 14.0 10.6 Continental Europe 53.1 62.7 84.8 ------- ------- ------- 68.8 76.7 95.4 ------- ------- ------- FINANCIAL INFORMATION - ENLARGED GROUP UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS OF THE ENLARGED GROUP The following unaudited pro forma statement of net assets of the Enlarged Group as at 30 September 2002 has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Acquisition on the Group as if it had taken place on 30 September 2002. No adjustments have been made to take account of any changes in the trading and net assets of the Group since 30 September 2002, being the date to which its unaudited interim accounts were prepared. No adjustments have been made to take account of any changes in the trading and net assets of Trans European since 31 December 2001, being the date to which the Accountants' Report is prepared. The pro forma statement of net assets has been prepared on the basis set out in the notes below. It is provided for illustrative purposes only and, because of its nature, may not give a true picture of the financial position of the Enlarged Group. Unaudited pro forma statement of net assets of the Enlarged Group as at 30 September 2002 Net assets Net assets of of Adjustments Pro forma net Wincanton Trans European ------------------------ assets of the as at as at Net assets not Purchase of Enlarged 30 September 31 December being acquired Trans Group 2002 2001 European (i) (ii) (iii) GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm Fixed assets Intangible assets - 17.2 - 4.7 21.9 Tangible assets 145.1 136.5 (12.4) - 269.2 Investments - 3.4 - - 3.4 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 145.1 157.1 (12.4) 4.7 294.5 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Current assets Stocks 3.8 6.5 - - 10.3 Debtors 99.1 144.4 - - 243.5 Cash at bank and in hand 24.9 20.1 (20.1) - 24.9 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 127.8 171.0 (20.1) - 278.7 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Borrowings and finance (12.4) (18.9) 18.9 - (12.4) leases Other creditors (161.7) (137.9) - - (299.6) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net current liabilities (46.3) 14.2 (1.2) - (33.3) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total assets less current 98.8 171.3 (13.6) 4.7 261.2 liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Borrowing and finance leases (20.3) (51.3) 51.3 (133.0) (153.3) Other creditors - (4.4) - - (4.4) Provisions for liabilities and charges (62.5) (20.2) - - (82.7) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net assets before minority interests 16.0 95.4 37.7 (128.3) 20.8 Minority interests - (4.8) - - (4.8) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net assets 16.0 90.6 37.7 (128.3) 16.0 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net debt (7.8) (50.1) 50.1 (133.0) (140.8) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Notes: (i) The net assets not being acquired include GBP12.4 million of properties and net debt of GBP50.1 million. (ii) The acquisition adjustments reflect: (a) The consideration for the acquisition of Trans European by Wincanton of GBP133.0 million being the purchase price of GBP152.5 million less adjustment for working capital of GBP19.5 million (being the difference between Trans European's working capital at 31 December 2001 of GBP13.0 million and target working capital of GBP32.5 million). (b) Goodwill of GBP4.7 million being the difference between the net assets acquired of GBP128.3 million, and the consideration of GBP133.0 million. (iii) The pro forma net indebtedness of the Enlarged Group at 30 September 2002 would have been GBP140.8 million, being GBP153.3 million of borrowings due after more than one year and GBP12.4 million of borrowings due within one year, less GBP24.9 million cash at bank and in hand. The unaudited pro forma statement of net assets of the Enlarged Group does not reflect any fair value adjustments that may be required as a result of the acquisition, any costs of acquisition, or any restructuring costs that may follow the acquisition. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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