Tru-Test buys milk storage firm from NDA for $73m
The purchase follows Tru-Test's $1m acquisition of Radian Technologies in December as it looks to provide more integrated support for dairy farmers.
Hot Topic
Long reads
Tru-Test Group, the agri-tech group that ranked 16th on the TIN100 survey of the country's top research and technology firms, has bought milk storage and refrigeration firm Dairy Technology Services from local manufacturer NDA Group for $73 million.
The Auckland-based group bought the company after raising $5.4 million in a two-for-nine renounceable rights issue at 96 cents apiece, which it said would be used to help fund the DTS acquisition.
Though Tru-Test today says it will not disclose the value of the acquisition, the December offer document and later amendment put the purchase price at $73 million, subject to adjustments based on working capital.
The acquisition includes $68 million in non-current assets, of which $67 million are intangible, and will see Tru-Test take on up to $58 million in bank debt to help fund the deal.
Tru-Test expects DTS to add 40 percent to its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, which were $5.9 million in the 12 months ended March 31 last year on sales of $103.4 million.
The purchase follows on from Tru-Test's $1 million acquisition of Radian Technologies in December as it looks to provide more integrated support for dairy farmers, chief executive Greg Muir says in a statement. DTS employs 80 staff at its Taranaki manufacturing facility and administration and sales office in Hamilton.
"The dairy industry will increasingly need to integrate new technologies and services if it is to achieve the sustainable growth it seeks," Mr Muir says. Farmers "want stronger levels of support on farm to maximise the value of technology investments and ensure the efficient ongoing operation of farm systems".
Tru-Test manufactures livestock weigh scale indicators, milk metering equipment, electric and traditional fencing tools and dairy automation systems.
(BusinessDesk)
Paul McBeth
Mon, 04 Feb 2013
Mon, 04 Feb 2013
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Tru-Test buys milk storage firm from NDA for $73m
27036