Acquisition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1 SEPTEMBER 2005 CHEMRING GROUP PLC ACQUIRES UK ENERGETIC MATERIALS BUSINESS Chemring Group PLC ('Chemring') announces that it has acquired the entire issued share capital of Troon Investments Limited ('Troon') for a cash consideration of £22 million. The vendors were Inabata UK Limited, Mr Michael Parker and Mr Charles Tuchel. Description of the business and reasons for the acquisition Troon, based in Ardeer, Scotland, manufactures and supplies a range of pyrotechnic and propellant devices, rocket motors and demolition stores under the trading name 'Nobel Energetics'. In the year to 31 December 2004, the sales of the Troon business were £11.4 million and the profit before tax was £3.2 million. At 31 December 2004, Troon had net assets of £2.6 million. At 31 August 2005, Troon had gross assets of £ 3.3 million. Troon is on track to deliver a strong performance in its current financial year, and will make a small contribution to Chemring's results for the year ending 31 October 2005. The acquisition is expected to materially enhance Chemring's earnings in the first full financial year post-completion.* Troon's range of products is complementary to those currently produced by Chemring's existing Energetics Materials division. This division now has operations in the UK (Derby and Ardeer), the US, Spain and Australia, and as previously announced, conditional agreement has also been reached to acquire the Comet business in Germany. The existing management team will remain in place at Troon. Principal terms of the acquisition The consideration of £22 million was paid in cash, utilising increased bank facilities. The consideration is subject to adjustment depending on the net assets of Troon at completion. It is anticipated that, following fair value adjustments by Chemring, the net assets of Troon will be valued in excess of £ 10 million. Chemring will not assume any liability for the accrued pension benefits of the Troon employees under the final salary pension scheme in which Troon participated prior to the acquisition. Commenting on the acquisition, David Price, Chief Executive of Chemring, said: 'The acquisition of Troon substantially enhances our position in the military energetic materials market. Troon has an excellent track record and its current order book exceeds £26 million. It significantly extends our range of high explosive, missile motor technology, and initiator products. The business has several significant long-term contracts, which will underpin its performance over the next few years, including the 'NLAW' missile motor contract, which will reach full scale production in the near future. Troon's recent focus has been the UK military market. Expansion of the business into the global defence market, as an integral part of the Chemring Group's international activities, will provide substantial growth opportunities. This acquisition represents a fundamental step in our energetic materials strategy. With the inclusion of Troon in our portfolio, the projected turnover of Chemring's Energetic Materials division will now be in excess of £50 million.' Paul Rayner, Finance Director of Chemring, said: 'The acquisition price of £22 million represents an historic post-tax price earnings multiple of approximately ten times. We have funded the acquisition utilising new term loan facilities with Bank of Scotland, and whilst the acquisition will increase gearing in the short term to approximately 85%, the cash generated by the enlarged group will reduce gearing levels during 2006.' * This statement should not be taken to mean that the earnings per share of Chemring will necessarily match or exceed the historical reported earnings per share of Chemring and no forecast is intended or implied. Note to editors: * Approximately 80% of Troon's sales are to the defence industry. Products used directly by the armed forces are sold to the UK Ministry of Defence which is the largest customer. Other customers include Thales, BAE Systems and Martin Baker for products which are sub-components of larger assemblies. For further information: Dr David Price Chief Executive, Chemring Group PLC 01489 881880 Paul Rayner Finance Director, Chemring Group PLC 01489 881880 Rupert Pittman Cardew Group 0207 930 0777
UK 100

Latest directors dealings