Allied Technologies (Altech) is to acquire NamITech from Nampak for R559.3 million. The announcement was made last night as Altech released a strong set of year-end results.
Altech CEO Craig Venter says Altech is also considering other acquisitions, some of which are as significant as the NamITech deal in terms of purchase price. These potential acquisitions are in the group`s other business areas.
The acquisition of NamITech, a secure technology products and solutions company, will give Altech`s IT division critical mass with a total turnover of more than R1 billion, says Venter.
NamITech`s customers are mainly in the telecoms, financial services and gaming and leisure sectors. Its focus is on secure technology solutions and products include GSM cellular SIM cards, smart cards, prepaid vouchers, mobile telephony starter packs, magstripe cards and cheques.
"Due diligence has been completed and heads of agreement have been signed," says Venter. Altech is buying Nampak`s 51.08% stake and Pamodzi`s 28% shareholding, as well as certain shareholders` loan claims.
Pamodzi will be brought back as a NamITech shareholder through a preference share funding structure, which Venter says eliminates the need for the much criticised special purpose vehicle loan type arrangement.
This allows Pamodzi to continue as NamITech`s black economic empowerment partner with a significantly reduced initial cash outlay.
German-based Gieseke & Devrient will own 15% of the company, with the balance going to NamITech management and two black empowerment executives.
Venter says Altech was criticised over the past three years for not using its cash resources on acquisitions.
"However, Altech was extremely prudent at that time when competitors and others in our sectors of operation were clearly overvaluing companies and overpaying for them.
"I believe a main flaw in past thinking by many was that the IT bubble could never burst and that money could be made from any acquisition because bigger was better. This led to a decimation of many share prices, in many cases exceeding 90%, and a destruction of shareholder value."
He says the group is for the first time seeing value in some opportunities.
Altech was extremely prudent at that time when competitors and others in our sectors of operation were clearly overvaluing companies and overpaying for them.
Craig Venter, CEO, Altech
Altech`s revenue for the year to 28 February was more than R4 billion, up from R3.6 billion the previous year. Operating income rose 13.8% to R406.78 million (2002: R257.29 million) and attributable earnings soared from R242.25 million to R631.34 million.
Headline earnings per share (HEPS) rose 28.1% to 342.1c (267.1c) although Venter says this included a one-off surplus of R32.28 million from the Altron benefit fund. With this excluded, HEPS increased by 20% to 320.6c.
Venter says that despite continuing global and local economic pressures, he is confident that the group will continue to strengthen in the coming year.
By early this morning the Altech share was trading at 2 350c, up 100c or 4.4% from yesterday`s close.
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