EANS-Adhoc: gategroup Subsidiary deSter to Acquire Helios
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ad-hoc disclosure transmitted by euro adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide
distribution. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this
announcement.
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10.02.2012
- Acquisition to strengthen innovation and sales capability, broadening the
reach of deSter and Harmony products and services
ZURICH, Feb. 10, 2012 -- deSter Holding BV, a subsidiary of gategroup, has
reached agreement to acquire Helios Market, Product and Production Development
BV, an innovative and respected global provider of onboard products and services
for the airline, rail and hospitality industries. Helios' products and services
are highly complementary with those of deSter and Harmony.
The addition of Helios will expand the ability of the combined companies to
bring innovative approaches to new customers and geographies and will provide
synergies in marketing, manufacturing and supply chain solutions.
Helios' revenue for 2011 is above CHF 70 million with an EBITDA margin above
gategroup's and a strong return on invested capital based on Helios' unaudited
financial statements. With Helios, deSter's and Harmony's combined annual
revenue will exceed CHF 250 million.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals,
including clearance by competition authorities if required. The purchase price
is approximately CHF 27 million, which will be funded in part from cash and a
debt facility.
"This transaction, which is accretive to gategroup, fully supports our
business model of a comprehensive and integrated service offering," said
gategroup CEO Andrew Gibson. "With this acquisition, we will leverage Helios'
reputation for customer focus, flexibility and speed to market with the
marketing, production and supply chain strength of our industry-leading brands
deSter and Harmony to create truly world-class offerings."
Helios enjoys a reputation for innovative, customer-focused design and
counts among its clients some of the world's largest airlines as well as those
in rapidly growing regions and the low-cost carrier sector. Its product lines
include disposable and re-usable onboard equipment, plastic, metal, china and
glass service ware and passenger amenity kits. The company, which is based in
Amsterdam, operates an asset-light business model with manufacturing outsourced,
but with control of all supply chain logistics.
Jons Hensel, Chairman of Helios, said, "Being reunited with deSter and
Harmony within gategroup is like coming home. Everyone at Helios looks forward
to taking our collective innovation, delivery and customer service capabilities
to the next level." Hensel was instrumental to the development of deSter in an
earlier form. Approximately 15 years ago, Hensel and partners founded Helios as
an independent company.
"We are extremely excited to have Jons and his team join the company and
accelerate the growth of deSter and Harmony in the coming years," Gibson said.
For more detailed information, please click on the following link on the
gategroup web site:
http://www.gategroupmember.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=491&Itemid=228
About gategroup:
gategroup is the leading independent global provider of onboard services to
companies that serve people on the move. gategroup comprises the following
brands: deSter, eGate Solutions, Gate Aviation, Gate Gourmet, Gate Safe,
Harmony, Performa, potmstudios, Pourshins and Supplair.
Shares of Zurich-based gategroup are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under
the symbol GATE. Please visit our website at www.gategroup.com.
INVITATION TO ANALYSTS AND INVESTORS
gategroup CEO Andrew Gibson invites analysts and investors to participate in
a telephone conference call regarding the Helios announcement.
The presentation can be accessed via webcast and dial-in teleconference at
08:00 CET on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012.
To listen to the live presentation via teleconference, call the dial-in
number approximately 15 minutes before the start time. Once dialed in, please
follow the instructions given over the phone.
Direct dial-in numbers:
+41 (0)91 610 56 00 (Europe)
+44 (0) 203 059 58 62 (UK)
+1 866 291 41 66 (USA - Toll-Free)
Please note that this Q&A session is for analysts and investors only.
Further inquiry note:
Media, John Bronson, jbronson@gategroup.com, +41-43-812-2048, Carol Reed,
creed@gategroup.com, +41-43-812-9128; or Investor Relations, Dagmara Robinson,
drobinson@gategroup.com, +41-43-812-54-96
end of announcement euro adhoc
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issuer: gategroup Holding AG
Balz-Zimmermannstrasse 7
CH-8302 Kloten
phone: +41 43 812 54 96
FAX: +41 43 812 91 19
mail: invest@gategroup.com
WWW: http://www.gategroupmember.com/
sector: Consumer Goods
ISIN: CH0100185955
indexes:
stockmarkets: Hauptsegment: SIX Swiss Exchange
language: English