Keller Regulatory News (KLR)

12 Oct 2009 07:00

For immediate release Monday, 12 October 2009 Keller Group plc Acquisition of Resource Holdings Limited, Singapore

Keller Group plc ("Keller" or "the Group"), the international ground engineering specialist, has entered into an agreement to purchase Resource Holdings Limited ("Resource"), a Singapore-based foundation contractor, for an initial cash payment of S$68.2m ( 30.6m), including an estimated S$4.5m ( 2.0m) of acquired net debt, plus further payments based on future profits.

Resource is a specialist foundation contractor with particular expertise in large diameter bored piling in soft clays. With over 20 years' experience, Resource has an excellent reputation locally and has worked on some of Singapore's most prestigious projects in both the public and private sectors. The senior management of Resource is remaining with the business.

This acquisition will add critical mass to, and significantly strengthen, the Group's existing operations in Singapore. By extending its product range, it will enable the Group to offer packaged solutions which combine Keller's existing ground improvement techniques with Resource's piling products. Over the medium term, the acquisition will also assist Keller in growing its heavy foundations capability in South East Asia.

Resource has grown rapidly in recent years, helped by a buoyant Singapore construction market. In the year ended 31 March 2009, Resource reported an operating profit of S$23.9m ( 10.7m) on revenue of S$116m ( 52.0m), an operating margin of 20.5%. However, Keller does not expect this exceptional level of profitability to be sustainable over the short to medium term, as the effects of the global recession moderate Singapore's rate of growth.

Resource has made significant investment in its equipment fleet in recent years. At 31 March 2009 the business had gross assets of S$48.3m ( 21.7m) and net assets of S$24.3m ( 10.9m).

The total consideration, to be paid in cash from the Group's existing facilities, will comprise an initial payment of S$68.2m ( 30.6m), including an estimated S$4.5m ( 2.0m) of acquired net debt, together with a maximum deferred consideration of S$50m ( 22.4m) based on profits over the period to 31 March 2013.

Completion is expected by the end of October.

Commenting on the acquisition, Justin Atkinson, Chief Executive of Keller, said:

"We are excited by this important acquisition, which will significantly increase the size of the Group's operations in South East Asia and add further momentum to our move into heavy foundations in these attractive growth markets."

For further information, please contact:

Keller Group plc www.keller.co.uk Justin Atkinson, Chief Executive 020 7616 7575 James Hind, Finance Director Smithfield 020 7360 4900 Reg Hoare/Will Henderson