Last checked at 5 Dec 2013 07:00
5th December 2013
CVS Group plc
("CVS" or "the Group")
Annual General Meeting Statement and ShareSave Scheme
Annual General Meeting Statement
CVS, the UK's leading provider of veterinary services, is holding its AGM at 11:00 am today at which Richard Connell, Chairman, will provide the following update to shareholders:
"The Board is pleased to announce that, in the four month period ended 31 October 2013, the Group's like-for-like sales grew by 4.3% compared to the same period last year. This reflects continuing growth in the Practice Division at the same underlying rate as for the year ended 30 June 2013 and stronger growth in other divisions.
Profitability for that trading period is in line with the Board's expectation.
It is also pleasing to report further acquisitions since 30 June 2013, with the purchase of 10 surgeries in to our Practice Division.
Practice name | No. of surgeries | Location | Date acquired |
Crescent Veterinary Clinic | 1 | Melton Mowbray | 19th July 2013 |
Miller & Swan | 1 | Elgin | 2nd September 2013 |
West Mount Vets | 5 | Halifax | 23rd September 2013 |
Anchorage Veterinary Hospital | 1 | Acle | 30th September 2013 |
Coopers Vets | 1 | Hastings | 4th November 2013 |
Larwood & Kennedy | 1 | Dereham | 11th November 2013 |
The aggregate historic annualised turnover of these businesses has been approximately £7.4 million generating aggregate EBITDA of approximately £1.6million.
All of these acquisitions provide a good operational and geographical fit with the Group's existing locations.
In total the Group now operates 255 surgeries, 5 diagnostic laboratories, and 2 pet crematoria across the UK, together with an online dispensary and CVS remains the largest veterinary services operator in a highly fragmented market."
ShareSave Scheme
CVS is pleased to announce the launch of a Save As You Earn scheme (the "Scheme") for its employees. 17 per cent. of the Group's employees have applied to participate in the Scheme, which will commence on 1 January 2014.
The Scheme grants to its participants options over ordinary shares at an exercise price of 215.0 pence each which, if exercised in full, would result in the issue of up to 637,319 ordinary shares following termination of the scheme on 1 January 2017. Application for admission to trading on AIM of the relevant number of new ordinary shares will be made at that time. If Scheme participants exercise their options in full, the new shares issued would represent approximately 1.1 per cent. of the current issued share capital of the Group.
The following Director has taken up the offer under the Scheme:
Director
| Maximum number of shares under Scheme |
Nick Perrin | 4,186 |
Contacts:
CVS Group plc 01379 644 288
Simon Innes, Chief Executive
Nick Perrin, Finance Director
N+1 Singer 020 7496 3000
(Nominated Adviser & Broker)
Graeme Summers
Aubrey Powell