SDL PLC Disposal of Fredhopper (3888V)
January 30 2017 - 2:15AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMSDL
RNS Number : 3888V
SDL PLC
30 January 2017
SDL plc
Disposal of Fredhopper
30 January 2017, Maidenhead, U.K. - SDL plc ("SDL", "Group" or
the "Company"; LSE: SDL), the global innovator in language
translation technology, services and content management, today
announces a conditional agreement to sell Fredhopper BV and its
subsidiaries (together "Fredhopper"), to ATTRAQT Group plc
("ATTRAQT"; AIM: ATQT), for a cash consideration of GBP25.0 million
on a debt-free/cash free basis (subject to closing
adjustments).
Fredhopper is a cloud-based provider of onsite search,
navigation, recommendation and visual merchandising solutions to
eCommerce retailers.
Background to this transaction
In January 2016, SDL announced its strategic decision to divest
certain non-core elements of the Group's technology business, being
Campaigns, Fredhopper and Social Intelligence. As previously
announced, the Campaigns business was sold on 2 November 2016.
Details of the transaction
SDL has signed a sale and purchase agreement with ATTRAQT, a
leading provider of visual merchandising, eCommerce site search and
personalised recommendation technology, for the sale of Fredhopper,
which remains conditional on, amongst other things: (i) approval of
the acquisition of Fredhopper by ATTRAQT's shareholders; and (ii)
Readmission (defined below).
ATTRAQT has announced today that the directors of ATTRAQT and
certain of its key existing shareholders have given irrevocable
undertakings to ATTRAQT to vote in favour of the Fredhopper
acquisition in respect of their beneficial holdings representing
over 75 per cent. of ATTRAQT's existing share capital.
To fund this transaction, ATTRAQT also announced this morning a
conditional firm placing and open offer to raise up to GBP28.5
million (before expenses). The firm placing element of their
fundraising to raise GBP27.5 million (before expenses) was
significantly oversubscribed by new and existing ATTRAQT
shareholders.
ATTRAQT's firm placing and open offer is conditional on the
admission of the enlarged issued share capital of ATTRAQT to the
AIM market in accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies
("Readmission"). Readmission is expected to occur on or around 7
March 2017.
Financial impact of the transaction
The total consideration for the Fredhopper disposal is GBP25.0
million on a debt-free/cash free basis (subject to closing
adjustments). The proceeds will be used to drive the Company's
growth strategy.
The gross assets of the business being disposed, including
goodwill and intangibles, amounts to GBP6.3 million and this is
expected to lead to a profit on disposal of GBP21.3 million. The
Fredhopper business made a profit before taxation in 2015 of GBP0.5
million, after allocation of SDL intergroup charges, and GBP2.7
million on a proforma EBITDA standalone basis. The financial
contribution of the Fredhopper business has been reported as a
discontinued activity in the Group's financial reports in 2016.
The Social Intelligence sale process continues as previously
announced.
Adolfo Hernandez, CEO of SDL, commented: "We are delighted to
have found a great home for all stakeholders of the Fredhopper
business, particularly its employees and customers. The transaction
comes with the firm support of ATTRAQT's shareholders and the
broader market."
This announcement contains inside information.
For further information please contact:
SDL plc Tel: 01628 410
127
Adolfo Hernandez, Chief Executive
Officer
Dominic Lavelle, Chief Financial
Officer
FTI Consulting LLP Tel: 020 3727
1000
Edward Bridges / Emma Appleton
About SDL
SDL (LSE: SDL) is the global innovator in language translation
technology, services and content management. For more than 20
years, SDL has transformed business results by enabling nuanced
digital experiences with customers across the globe so they can
create personalized connections anywhere and on any device. Are you
in the know? Find out more at SDL.com and follow us on Twitter,
LinkedIn and Facebook.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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