SRJ Technologies Group Plc (SRJ or the Company) is pleased to announce it has executed a Share Purchase Agreement ( SPA) to acquire 100% of the issued capital of Air Control Entech Limited ( ACE).
ACE is a UK business that provides remote inspection services to the Oil & Gas industry with advanced robotics and custom UAV technology. ACE’s growth and tier 1 customer base is a result of the cost efficiencies and safety improvements its services provid e for the Oil & Gas industry.
ACE is redefining inspection protocols in the Oil & Gas market with advanced robotic solutions for land, sea, and air, minimizing human risk and maximizing precision and safety.
The company has successfully established services in the UK and is expanding internationally with SRJ's support.
ACE's inspection services are certified by all five main class societies. In FY23, ACE achieved 64% revenue growth, with a projected 174% growth for FY24, maintaining strong gross margins of 75% and EBITDA margins of 41%.
The business combination brings together two key offerings in the asset integrity market in inspection and repair & maintenance.
By leveraging their strong existing relationships, ACE and SRJ aim to cross -sell their respective offerings, effectively expanding market penetration and creating substantial opportunities to introduce complementary services across existing client bases an d expand
services across existing and new geographies.
The acquisition is subject to customary conditions including SRJ obtaining the required shareholder approvals for the capital raising and issue of the scrip consideration and approval of the acquisition under the National Security and Investments Act 2021 (UK).
The consideration payable by the Company to ACE shareholders will comprise a combination of ordinary shares in SRJ (traded on the ASX as CHESS Depositary Interests, CDIs) and cash, with ACE shareholders (Sellers) holding approximately 28% of the issued share capital in SRJ on completion of the acquisition (Completion).
Acquisition of ACE for consideration amount of approximately GBP£4.5 million (being approximately A$8.6 million 4 ) in cash and the balance by the issue of 175,249,279 New CDIs (Consideration CDIs) (with an implied value of approximately A$9.6 million at the Offer Price) 1 , 2 - equivalent to approximately 5.8x ACE’s FY24E EBITDA .
On completion of the transaction, the Sellers will hold approximately 28% of SRJ on an undiluted basis which will be subject to voluntary escrow arrangements for a period of 24 months for management sellers and 6 to 12 months for all other sellers.
Completion of the acquisition is expected to take place on or around 21 August 2024, subject to the conditions precedent having been satisfied or waived (when capable of waiver).
A summary of the key terms and conditions of the SPA is set out in the investor presentation released to ASX today. ASX has provided in -principle advice that the acquisition will not require shareholder approval under Listing Rule 11.1.2 or re -compliance under Listing Rule 11.1.3.
For the purpose of this announcement, SRJ and ACE are referred to, following completion of the acquisition, as the Combined Group.
The Company is undertaking a capital raising via an offer of CDIs to raise up to A$14 million to fund the cash component of the purchase price for ACE and provide working capital for the Combined Group post -completion (Offer).
The Offer comprises a Placement and Share Purchase Plan ( SPP), which are subject to shareholder approval at SRJ’s upcoming AGM.
The Company will also issue to the Sellers under the acquisition, scrip consideration via the issue of CDIs with an aggregate value of A$20.16m million (at a deemed issue price of A$0.115 per Consideration Share). The issue of the Consideration Shares is s ubject to shareholder approval at the Company’s Annual General Meeting ( AGM) to be held on or around 13 August 2024.
Details on the impact of the acquisition and the Offer on the Company’s capital structure are set out in the investor presentation released to the ASX today.
Giles Bourne will be appointed to the SRJ Board as a Non -Executive Director with effect from completion of the Acquisition.
Stefan McGreevy, the current Chief Financial Officer, will also be appointed to the SRJ Board as an Executive Director with effect from completion of the Acquisition.
See the investor presentation released to ASX today for further details of the new proposed directors and senior management.
The Combined Group is forecast to deliver FY24 pro forma revenue of A$12.3million (£6.4 million) and FY24 pro forma underlying EBITDA of A$3.2 million ( £1.67 million)1 .
The Combined Group is forecast to deliver 78% Gross Margin in FY24.
The Combined Group will have a pro forma net cash balance of A$ 5.0m post transaction, providing sufficient working capital to fund the Combined Group.
SRJ on a standalone basis is forecast to deliver FY24 revenue of $4.6 million (£2.4 million) and FY24 underlying EBITDA of -$0.3 million (-£0.1 million) and is forecast to deliver 83% Gross Margin in FY24.
Further details of ACE and the expected impact of the acquisition on the financial position and capital structure of the Company are set out in the investor presentation released today on the ASX.
The Company will convene its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is anticipated to be held on 13 August 2024, at which it will seek shareholder approval for certain matters including a number of resolutions to give effect to the acquisition and the Offer, as noted below:
The Notice of Meeting for the AGM, setting out further details of the above proposals is expected to be released to ASX and despatched to shareholders on or around 26 July 2024.
An indicative timetable for the acquisition, Offer and AGM is set out below:
This announcement may include forward -looking statements. These forward -looking statements are based on SRJ’ expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward - looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of SRJ, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. SRJ makes no u ndertaking to update or revise the forward -looking statements made in this announcement to reflect any change in circumstances or events after the date of this announcement.
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