29 Oct 2009 14:30
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Press ReleaseΒ |
29Β October 2009 |
Brulines Group plc
("Brulines" or "the Group")
Approach to Universe GroupΒ PLCΒ ("Universe")
BrulinesΒ Group plc (AIM: BRU), the market leading provider of real time monitoring systems and data management services for the UK leisure sector,Β notes the announcement released yesterday,Β 28 October 2009,Β by Universe concerning the proposed renewal and extension to a contract with a large UK supermarket chain and the comments made in that announcement concerning Brulines' consent being required for Universe to enter into that contract in accordance with Rule 21 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, arising from the contract containing a specific change of control clause in relation to Brulines.
In order to provide further clarification,Β the GroupΒ can confirm thatΒ Brulines wrote to the Chairman of Universe, John Scholes, on 26 October 2009,Β formally consenting to Universe entering into that contract (notwithstanding the specific change of control clause in relation to Brulines), subject onlyΒ "that no announcement will be made about the contractual arrangements referred to in the memorandum which make any either specific or inferred reference to Brulines without the prior written consent of Brulines."
BrulinesΒ is disappointed thatΒ it was not shown a copy of this factual announcement in anΒ attemptΒ to obtain its consentΒ for the inclusion of its name in the announcementΒ and thatΒ the Universe BoardΒ hasΒ sought instead to goΒ toΒ theΒ unnecessaryΒ expense of calling aΒ General Meeting ("GM")Β to approve the contract. Brulines confirms that it will vote in favour of the contract renewal and extension at the GMΒ as this is in the best interests of Universe shareholders,Β and as a significant shareholder in Universe,Β are pleased withΒ the renewal and extension of the particular contract.
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Enquiries:
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Brulines Group plc James Dickson, Chief Executive |
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Mark Foster, Finance Director |
Tel: +44 (0)Β 1642 358 800 |
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mark.foster@brulines.comΒ |
www.brulines.comΒ |
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Cenkos Securities plc Adrian HargraveΒ ahargrave@cenkos.com |
Tel: +44 (0)Β 207 397 8922 |
Media enquiries:
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AbchurchΒ |
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Sarah Hollins/ Joanne Shears / Mark Dixon |
Tel: +44 (0) 207 398 7729 |
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sarah.hollins@abchurch-group.comΒ |
www.abchurch-group.comΒ |
About Brulines
Brulines Group is focused on the provision of real time monitoring systems and data management services for theΒ UK's leisure and petrol forecourt sectors. Since its admission toΒ AIMΒ in 2006, the Group has grown both organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions to give the Group access to key vertical markets. The Group operates two divisions which comprise five key products:
LEISURE DIVISION
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Dispense Monitoring (DMS) |
The Group's core product, DMS, is widely used by owners and operators within theΒ UKΒ licensed on-trade, especially the tenanted / leased pub sector. Flow meters connected to draught beer dispense lines send data via an on-site communication panel to a secure central database. Liquid volumes by fount, draught wine or post mix are tracked as they are served, thereby helping customers to maximise sales, service and quality as wellΒ as managing their costs . DMS is installed in over 22,000 pubs and manages data for more than one in threeΒ UKΒ pubs. Β |
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i-draught (formerly BQM) |
A more recent and rapidly growing product offer is i-draughtTM, an extension of the Group's DMS, which scrutinises the quality of products running through beer lines in a bar; measuring volume, temperature, flow rate and liquid type (e.g. beer, cleaning fluid or water) at the point of dispense. i-draught is the first system to provide effective measurement of true yields on draught products. Actual dispense volumes are compared with till transactions to identify shrinkage from products given away, pilferage and wastage. i-draught measures the precise temperature of every pint as it is dispensed, the time taken to dispense each drink, and automatically identifies the liquid allowing customers to know exactly when lines are cleaned. Wherever they are customers can stay in control through accessing their information on a secure web site.Β Β |
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GamingΒ Machine Data Services Β |
The acquisition of Coin Metrics in May 2007 was a strong strategic fit with Brulines' existing Machine Insite business which already provides gaming machine data management and consultancy services to operators within the pub, club and leisure markets. Customers benefit from state-of-the-art real-time data capture and reporting systems that deliver improved machine profitability and operational security. Β |
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VendingΒ Telemetry |
The Group's subsidiary Vianet is a pan-European provider of telemetry solutions and data applications to the vending industry. Vianet provides services for all vending management needs; from operations, sales, field services, national accounts to senior management. |
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FORECOURT SERVICES DIVISION
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UKΒ Petrol Forecourt Data Services |
The Group's wholly-owned subsidiary, Edensure, supplies key management information to independent, multi branded owner, and supermarket petrol forecourt operators in theΒ UKΒ which helps reduce loss of fuel and improve profitability. Edensure provides petrol retailers with an unrivalled level of accuracy in the monitoring and management of their wet stock, using the most sophisticated analytical techniques available worldwide. Β |
Headquartered inΒ Stockton-on-Tees, Brulines employs more than 240 people.Β
For further information, please visitΒ www.brulines.com
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