COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
Eurotech: acquisition de Advanet
Tokyo, le 4 octobre 2007 – Eurotech ("la Société"), spécialisée dans le développement et la commercialisation d'ordinateurs miniatures et d'ordinateurs haute performance annonce l'acquisition de 65 % du capital social de Advanet (dont le siège est à Okayama au Japon) et ses filiales Spirit 21, Vantech et Advanet R&D (collectivement " le Groupe Advanet " ou " le Groupe "). La finalisation de la transaction est prévue le 31 octobre 2007.
Advanet is among the leading companies in the Japanese market in the design, development and production of embedded computers. As of 30 April 2007, the Advanet Group's sales totaled approximately 5.5 billion yen, with EBITDA[1] of approximately 1,1 billion yen, equal to 20% of total sales, and with Adjusted1 EBITDA amounting to approximately 1.5 billion yen, equal to 27% of total sales. Advanet counts clients among Japan's most important manufacturers.
The consideration for the transaction has been set by the parties at approximately 7,6 billion yen and will be subject to adjustment based on the net financial position and current assets of the Advanet Group on the closing date. This consideration represents a valuation of the Advanet Group based on a multiple of 8 times the Adjusted[2] EBITDA of the Group.
The consideration for the acquisition will be paid at closing using the Company's cash on hand, which is equal to Euro 60 million as of the date hereof.
The acquisition contract also contains a put and call mechanism for the remaining 35% of the Advanet share capital, which provides:
- the option for Eurotech (i) to acquire 25% of Advanet's share capital in the 2 months following the approval of the Advanet Group's financials for the period ending in December 2009, for consideration calculated by applying a multiple equal to 8 times the EBITDA of the Group as of 31 December 2009, and (ii) to acquire the remaining 10% of Advanet's share capital, during the period from the closing date until five years after such date, for consideration to be determined on the basis of a valuation agreed among the parties or prepared by an independent expert;
- the option for the Advanet shareholders (i) to sell Eurotech 25% of Advanet's share capital in the 2 months following the approval of the Advanet Group's financials for the period ending in December 2009, for consideration calculated by applying a multiple equal to 8 times the EBITDA of the Group as of 31 December 2009, and (ii) to sell the remaining 10% of Advanet's share capital, after 5 years form the closing, for consideration to be determined on the basis of a valuation agreed among the parties or prepared by an independent expert;
Roberto Siagri, President and Chief Executive of Eurotech, commented:
"Advanet will allow Eurotech to enter the Japanese market as a major player and to further expand our presence in the Asian market. With this acquisition, Eurotech achieves the crucial size and international presence to position us by right among the world leaders in this sector."
"Advanet's product portfolio and technologies" Siagri added "are fully complimentary to our own and will allow us to further expand our product offerings, with inevitable benefits for all of the Group's clients."
Fumio Komatsu, Chief Executive of Advanet, said:
"As managers we always pursued growth and success for the Advanet Group. I strongly believe that the global market represents a huge opportunity for Advanet products. To enter the Eurotech Group will allow us to move outside the Japanese market and to be ready to challenge a new larger market and start a new growth phase"
NOTE: The acquisition transaction referred to herein constitutes a material transaction; therefore, the Issuer, in accordance with Article 71 of the Issuers Regulation, will publicly disclose the disclosure document (revised in accordance with attachment 3B) within 15 days of the transaction's closing, expected on 31 October 2007.
THE EUROTECH GROUP
Eurotech (ETH.MI) is a company active in the research, development, production and marketing of miniaturised computers (NanoPCs) and of computers featuring high-performance computing capability (HPCs).
EUROTECH SpA www.eurotech.com
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[1] Based on the official companies financial statements prepared under JPGAAP.
[2] "Adjusted EBITDA" is defined as gross operating profit, consolidated net of costs resulting from "non core" activities (such as insurance proceeds, costs related to non-strategic assets and activities not attributable to the "core business" of the Advanet Group) which will be subject to a carve-out to be completed prior to closing.