Acquisition
13 Janvier 2004 - 8:30AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:1446U
White Young Green PLC
13 January 2004
WHITE YOUNG GREEN PLC
ACQUISITION OF DENIS ROONEY ASSOCIATES AND DENIS ROONEY ASSOCIATES LIMITED
White Young Green Plc ("White Young Green" or "WYG"), consultants to the built
and natural environment, today announces the acquisition of Denis Rooney
Associates and Denis Rooney Associates Limited (together "DRA").
DRA is a privately owned business offering project management, cost management,
building surveying and planning supervisor services throughout Ireland. The
business, which employs over 40 people, consists of a partnership (Denis Rooney
Associates) based in Belfast and a limited company (Denis Rooney Associates
Limited) based in Dublin.
The consideration payable at completion by WYG is #4.3 million, being #1.3
million in cash and #3.0 million satisfied by the issue of 1,762,822 Ordinary
Shares (the "Consideration Shares"). Application will be made for these
Consideration Shares to be admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing
Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's market for listed
securities. Dealings are expected to commence on 19 January 2004. In addition,
further consideration (payable in Ordinary Shares and/or cash at WYG's option)
of up to a maximum of #1.1 million is due if certain performance criteria are
met in the first year of trading.
For the year ended 31 March 2003, the profit before taxation of Denis Rooney
Associates, as extracted without material adjustment from the unaudited
partnership accounts for that year was #638,419 on turnover of #1,603,652. The
net assets of Denis Rooney Associates as at 31 March 2003 were #889,403.
Partnership accounts do not take account of the emoluments of the partners.
After taking into account the expected annual employment costs of the current
partners and a notional tax charge, the profit after tax and net assets of Denis
Rooney Associates for the year ended 31 March 2003, were #313,000 and #755,000
respectively.
For the year ended 31 December 2002 the profit after taxation of Denis Rooney
Associates Limited, as extracted without material adjustment from the audited
accounts for that year was #84,022 (Euro120,505) on turnover of #772,949
(Euro1,108,564). The net assets of Denis Rooney Associates Limited at 31 December
2002 were #103,822 (Euro148,902), comprising fixed assets of #13,672 (Euro19,609),
current assets of #502,321 (Euro720,429) and current liabilities of #412,171
(Euro591,136). These translations are based on the exchange rate of Euro1.4342 to #1
on 8 January 2004.
All of the partners of Denis Rooney Associates and the directors of Denis Rooney
Associates Limited have signed contracts of employment with members of the WYG
Group.
The Board believes the acquisition of DRA will enable WYG to generate
incremental revenue growth and to obtain cost savings through increased
efficiency in Ireland. In particular WYG:
* has acquired a complementary skill set with project management, cost
management, building surveying and planning supervisor services and has the
opportunity to cross sell these new skills to WYG clients in Ireland;
* will have the opportunity to improve sector penetration in education,
housing and healthcare in which DRA has a strong market position;
* will have access to additional blue chip clients currently served by
DRA including the Queens University of Belfast, Belfast City Council and
Fujitsu Fulcrum;
* will be able to make more efficient use of WYG's existing premises in
Belfast; and
* should have the opportunity to generate significant new business in Ireland
following the appointment of Denis Rooney, the principal of DRA, as Chief
Executive of WYG Ireland Limited.
John Purvis, Chief Executive commented: "The acquisitions of Denis Rooney
Associates and Denis Rooney Associates Limited represent the 18th and 19th
acquisitions by WYG in the last five years. These businesses are excellent
acquisitions for WYG and should yield revenue growth, cost savings, incremental
shareholder value and increased market presence for WYG in Ireland".
Press Enquiries:
John Purvis, Chief Executive Tel: 0113 278 7111
Bob Hartley, Finance Director
White Young Green Plc
David Forbes/David Wilton Tel: 0113 200 1900
N M Rothschild & Sons Limited
Ian Stanway/Ross Andrews Tel: 0121 609 0050
Williams de Broe Plc
Tim Anderson/Rebecca Skye Dietrich Tel: 020 7466 5000
Buchanan Communications
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