Lightbulb enters conditional agreement to acquire Bluwstuff
Litebulb, the AIM-listed support services provider, has entered into a conditional share purchase agreement to acquire Bluwstuff, a designer of products primarily targeted at the gift and toy markets.
Litebulb, the AIM-listed support services provider, has entered into a conditional share purchase agreement to acquire Bluwstuff, a designer of products primarily targeted at the gift and toy markets.
The initial consideration for the acquisition is 250m ordinary shares, with a further 125m ordinary shares dependent on various performance criteria.
In the year ending December 31st 2011, Bluwstuff recorded turnover of £4.6m and a loss before tax of £1.6m. Unaudited financial results for Bluwstuff for the 11 months to November 2012 reported revenues of £4.1m, and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) - a frequently used measure of operating profit - recorded a loss of £2,000.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Litebulb stated that Bluwstuff is expected to record a positive EBITDA for the year ending December 31st 2012.
According to Litebulb, the acquisition of Bluwstuff would significantly enhance sales over the next 12 months and would be earnings enhancing before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.
The acquisition is further expected to provide a number of benefits to the enlarged group, including creating a group with higher turnover and rapidly enhancing Litebulb Group's position as a provider of niche consumer brands and products.
Simon McGivern, LiteBulb Group Chief Executive Officer, commented: "The acquisition of Bluwstuff is a further step in our strategy of expansion both organically and by targeted acquisitions.
"Given the similarities of the two businesses, the addition of Bluwstuff is a natural fit and it further positions LiteBulb Group as a leading developer of innovative branded products that are then distributed through an expanding network of blue-chip retailers and international distributors."
"The strong support from respected institutional investors for the fundraising is a further endorsement of our strategic plan and growth ambitions," he added.
MF
Sign up for MoneyWeek's newsletters
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
-
What happens if you can’t pay your tax bill, and what is "Time to Pay"?
Millions are due to file their tax return this Friday as the self-assessment deadline closes. Though the nightmare is not over until you pay the taxman what you owe - or face a penalty. But what happens if you can't afford to pay HMRC your tax bill, and what is "Time to Pay"?
By Kalpana Fitzpatrick Published
-
What does Rachel Reeves’s plan for growth mean for UK investors?
Rachel Reeves says she is going “further and faster” to kickstart the UK economy, but investors are unlikely to be persuaded
By Katie Williams Published