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Pin to quick picksWater Intel. Regulatory News (WATR)

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Corporate Transactions and Technology Update

5 Feb 2019 07:00

RNS Number : 0416P
Water Intelligence PLC
05 February 2019
 

Water Intelligence plc

("WATR" or the "Company")

January Corporate Transactions and Technology Update

 

Water Intelligence plc (AIM: WATR.L), a leading multinational provider of precision, minimally-invasive leak detection and remediation solutions for both potable and non-potable water is pleased to announce a series of corporate transactions that reinforce its growth trajectory for 2019 and beyond.

Highlights

· Acquisition of Ontario (Niagara), Canada franchise, expanding corporate presence into Canada and Upstate New York

· Sale of a new franchise territory for Youngstown, Ohio (US)

· Financial support to an Idaho (US) franchise accelerating expansion into municipal offerings

· Formal launch of ORCA municipal sewer product into the United States following trials at a UK water utility

Corporate Transactions

A few weeks ago, Water Intelligence began 2019 with the announcement of a proposed board change to add a senior member of our franchise business with significant operating experience. We discussed the "strong alignment of interests between our growing corporate operations and the growing American Leak Detection franchise business". The Company now announces three transactions and a technology update that illustrate the importance of such alignment in unlocking shareholder value in multiple ways during 2019 and beyond. These transactions underscore that American Leak Detection ("ALD") and UK-based Water Intelligence International ("WII") business lines are complementary and growth is accelerating. A broader discussion will be set out in the next few weeks with a 2018 Trading Update that reinforces our previous strong guidance. The Company is currently closing its December franchisee royalty reporting on schedule.

First, the Company announces the reacquisition of its ALD franchise in Ontario (Niagara), Canada. The franchise achieved approximately US$450,000 of sales during 2018. The former owner, Richard Johnson, will be joining corporate management to lead the Niagara region and open new locations in nearby upstate New York such as Buffalo and Syracuse. It should be noted that the plan has a head start given that WII's municipal business recently won a contract in Syracuse to be executed during 1H 2019.

With Mr. Johnson's leadership, the Company plans to grow Canada by following a similar strategy that worked during 2018 for growing the Australian market. In that geography, the Company first reacquired its former Sydney franchise to establish a corporate base to support franchisee growth throughout Australia. The Company then followed that launch with WII municipal contract wins with Hunter Water and Sydney Water.

More broadly, Mr. Johnson's overall leadership for the American Leak Detection franchise system reinforces the Company's direction of creating "one multinational brand with corporate and franchise locations growing synergistically."

Second, the Company announces a sale of a new franchise territory - Youngstown, Ohio - to a current franchise owner who is also a leader within the ALD System. As part of the Company's evolving growth strategy, regional corporate offices such as fast-growing Cincinnati, Ohio (itself a former franchise location) can now support franchise owners in expanding their growth trajectory with the purchase of additional territory. Given the size of the US market, there are various greenfield sites, such as Youngstown, that would add to the brand, growth trajectory and fit our national accounts strategy with insurance companies. Working together with our franchisees, the Company will fill-in such greenfield opportunities.

Third, the Company announces its financial support to assist a franchise in Idaho to jump-start expansion from leak detection to repairs and municipal. Such expansion coincides with demand from our national insurance partners for ALD to both pinpoint leaks and make the repairs - our "One Stop Shop" value proposition as we have always underscored. The Company will discuss such expansion of its offerings in its upcoming 2018 trading update.

Technology Update

Finally, as previously discussed in our Q3 Update, the Company invested during 2018 to develop cutting-edge sewer diagnostic technology to enhance the leadership of its fast-growing WII business. Trials of the product with UK water utilities during Q4 2018 have gone well and commercialization is on schedule. The Company will now be demonstrating its new product and solution offering at the international Water and Wastewater Equipment, Treatment and Transport show (WWETT) in Indianapolis during 20-23 February. The product and service offering will be then introduced throughout the entire ALD franchise system during 2019.

Registered Office Change

The Company is moving its registered corporate office to 27/28 Eastcastle St., London W1W 8DH which will become effective 11 February 2019.

 

Dr. Patrick DeSouza, Executive Chairman, commented: "We are off to a fast start in 2019. These transactions unlock significant shareholder value both from synergies and expansion into new offerings. Water Intelligence is scaling operationally with multiple business lines and can execute such complementary transactions again and again going forward to reinforce sustainable growth - an objective that I have previously stated. It is important to remember that given the size of the global water and infrastructure market that we are just at the beginning of creating significant shareholder value with a great company and brand. I look forward to updating the market on our 2018 results."

 

The information communicated within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

 

For further information about this announcement please contact:

Water Intelligence plc

 

Patrick DeSouza, Executive Chairman

Tel: +1 203 654 5426

 

 

WH Ireland Limited - NOMAD & Broker

Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666

Adrian Hadden

 

James Sinclair-Ford

 

Matthew Chan

 

 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
 
END
 
 
UPDSSFFALFUSEDE
Date   Source Headline
7th Jan 20091:40 pmRNSTrading Statement
19th Dec 20084:48 pmRNSResult of AGM
10th Dec 20089:22 amRNSDirectorate Change
26th Nov 20087:00 amRNSFinal Results
8th Oct 20087:00 amRNSManagement Changes
15th Sep 200812:00 pmRNSTrading update
21st May 20087:00 amRNSChange of Adviser
7th May 20085:12 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
7th May 20085:08 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
7th May 20085:07 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
30th Apr 20087:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
23rd Apr 20087:00 amRNSGBP 1.25m Placing
27th Mar 20087:01 amRNSInterim Results
29th Feb 20087:01 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
20th Feb 20087:00 amRNSMemorandum of Understanding
12th Feb 20082:32 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
1st Feb 20083:15 pmRNSIssue of Equity
31st Jan 20081:00 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
29th Jan 20082:54 pmRNSAGM Statement
28th Dec 20079:00 amRNSAnnual Report and Accounts
21st Dec 20077:01 amRNSFinal Results
20th Dec 20077:00 amRNSCommercial Launch of Leakfrog
10th Dec 200711:19 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
17th Oct 20077:00 amRNSFirst order from Thames Water
29th Aug 20077:00 amRNSTrading Statement
16th Aug 200712:30 pmRNSAIM Rule 26
9th Jul 20077:01 amRNSRe Joint Venture
18th May 20077:00 amRNSDirectorate Change
19th Apr 20078:00 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
19th Apr 20078:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
28th Mar 20077:01 amRNSInterim Results
5th Feb 20077:00 amRNSPartnership with UK Utility
25th Jan 20073:30 pmRNSAGM Statement
25th Jan 20079:00 amRNSAppointment of Sales Director
11th Dec 200612:30 pmRNSTotal Voting Rights
6th Dec 20067:01 amRNSTrading Update
24th Nov 20067:01 amRNSFinal Results
11th Oct 200610:02 amRNSRe: New Contract
1st Aug 20062:30 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
25th Jul 20063:30 pmRNSIssue of Equity
14th Jul 20067:00 amRNSTrading Statement
25th May 20068:00 amRNSNew client wins
26th Apr 20067:01 amRNSMajor new orders won
24th Mar 20061:33 pmRNSCORRECTION: Interim Results
24th Mar 20067:00 amRNSInterim Results
14th Mar 20067:01 amRNSNew Product launch
22nd Feb 20063:05 pmRNSAGM Statement
21st Dec 200512:00 pmRNSFinal Results
15th Nov 20057:00 amRNSRe Agreement
4th Oct 20057:00 amRNSHong Kong Contract

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