Norcros PLC Acquisition of Croydex Group Ltd (1641R)

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RNS Number : 1641R

Norcros PLC

25 June 2015

25 June 2015

("Norcros", the "Group" or the "Company")

Acquisition of Croydex Group Ltd

Norcros, the market leading supplier of innovative branded showers, taps, bathroom accessories, tiles and adhesives, is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Croydex Group Ltd ("Croydex"), a privately-owned business held by the Brown and Marriott-Dodington families and Nick McGrellis for a total consideration of GBP21.9m, of which GBP20.8m has been settled in cash and GBP1.1m consideration deferred for three years. The acquisition has been funded entirely by debt through existing facilities. The Board expects the transaction to be earnings enhancing immediately.

Croydex - business

Croydex is a market-leading, innovative designer, manufacturer and distributor of high quality bathroom furnishings and accessories with strong customer relationships in both the UK trade and retail segments. The business benefits from a skilled in-house design team which creates new products, combining style and innovation, in collaboration with partners in the UK and overseas.

Croydex is based in Andover, Hampshire, with extensive purpose-built warehousing and on-site manufacturing facilities. The business employs 82 people and has an experienced management team led by Managing Director Nick McGrellis, all of whom will be staying with the business.

Further information on Croydex can be found at http://www.croydex.com.

Croydex - financial information

For the year ended 31 December 2014, Croydex's audited financial statements showed revenue of GBP19.9m, EBITDA before shareholder costs of GBP2.7m and profit before tax and shareholder costs of GBP2.6m. As at 31 December 2014 Croydex had gross assets of GBP13.7m. For the 12 months to 31 March 2015, the unaudited EBITDA before shareholders costs was GBP3.1m.

Acquisition details

Norcros has acquired 100% of the share capital of Croydex for an initial cash consideration of GBP20.8m plus deferred consideration of GBP1.1m payable in the year ending 31 March 2019. The consideration includes a payment of GBP1.9m for net cash balances and normalised working capital adjustments, such that on a debt free, cash free, normalised working capital basis, the consideration is GBP20.0m. This represents 6.5 times the unaudited EBITDA for the 12 months to 31 March 2015. The Group has incurred acquisition related costs of GBP0.8m as a result of the transaction.

In addition to this, a long term incentive scheme has been put in place for Managing Director Nick McGrellis which will pay up to GBP0.9m dependent on the financial performance of Croydex over the next three years. Costs associated with this incentive will be treated as an acquisition related cost outside of underlying operating profit.

Acquisition rationale

The acquisition of Croydex is an important next step in the Group's growth strategy to increase revenue to GBP420m by 2018 and follows on from the very successful integration of the Vado business which Norcros acquired in March 2013. Adding the Croydex business to our existing portfolio will increase the breadth of our product range in the bathroom segment and enables us to offer an even broader range of complementary bathroom products to our customers. The business will also benefit from the global distribution channels, sourcing skills and strong financial position of the enlarged Group.

Commenting on the acquisition, Nick Kelsall, Group Chief Executive, said "The acquisition of Croydex is a compelling fit with our strategic growth criteria, broadening the Group's product offer as well as providing a number of opportunities to drive revenue and procurement synergies. I have been impressed by the quality, energy and vision of the management team at Croydex and I look forward to working with them to further develop and grow the Croydex business."

Nick McGrellis, Managing Director of Croydex remarked, "This transaction marks a new chapter in the history of the Croydex business which dates back over 90 years. I am confident that being part of Norcros will enable us to accelerate the strong progress we have made over the last few years."

ENQUIRIES:

 
 Norcros plc                            Tel: [phone] 
 Nick Kelsall, Group Chief Executive 
 Martin Payne, Group Finance Director 
 
 Hudson Sandler                         Tel: [phone] 
 Nick Lyon 
 Charlie Jack 
 Katie Matthews 
 

Notes to Editors

-- Norcros is a leading supplier of high quality and innovative showers, taps, bathroom accessories, ceramic wall and floor tiles and adhesive products with operations primarily in the UK and South Africa.

   --      Based in the UK, Norcros operates under four brands: 
   --     Triton Showers - Market leader in the manufacture and marketing of showers in the UK 

-- Vado - A leading manufacturer and supplier of taps, mixer showers, bathroom accessories and valves

   --     Johnson Tiles - A leading manufacturer and supplier of ceramic tiles in the UK 
   --     Norcros Adhesives - Manufacturer of tile and stone adhesives, grouts and related products 
   --      Based in South Africa, Norcros operates under three brands: 

-- Tile Africa - Chain of retail stores focused on ceramic and porcelain tiles, and associated products such as sanitary ware, showers and adhesives

   --     Johnson Tiles South Africa - Manufacturer of ceramic and porcelain tiles 
   --     TAL - The leading manufacturer of ceramic and building adhesives 

-- Norcros is headquartered in Wilmslow, Cheshire and employs around 1750 people. The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange. For further information please visit the Company website: http://www.norcros.com/

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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