Result of Placing

RNS Number : 6037Z

AB Dynamics PLC

20 May 2019

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDIX, AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICES WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

FURTHER, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR ISSUE OR SOLICITATION TO BUY, SUBSCRIBE FOR OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE SHARES IN AB DYNAMICS PLC IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH ANY SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION ("MAR"). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND SUCH PERSONS SHALL THEREFORE CEASE TO BE IN POSSESSION OF INSIDE INFORMATION.

20 May 2019

AB Dynamics plc

("AB Dynamics", the "Company" or the "Group")

Result of Placing

and

Posting of Circular

AB Dynamics plc is pleased to announce the successful completion of the accelerated book build announced earlier today by the Company (the "Placing").

The Placing has conditionally raised gross proceeds of approximately £45.1 million (before expenses) through the placing of 2,050,000 new ordinary shares of 1 penny each in the Company ("Placing Shares") at 2200 pence per share (the "Issue Price").

The Placing Shares represent approximately 10.42 per cent. of the Company's existing issued ordinary share capital.

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe acted as Sole Bookrunner in connection with the Placing.

The Placing Shares are not subject to clawback and are not part of the Open Offer. Neither the Placing nor the Open Offer is underwritten.

James Routh, CEO of AB Dynamics, said:

"This is an important milestone in the Company's corporate development.  The proceeds of the Placing will enable us to make strategic investments in the Company, leveraging our existing strengths and capabilities. As the active safety market grows and develops, AB Dynamics is well positioned to capitalise on the significant opportunities available.

"We are delighted with the result and strong support shown from both existing shareholders and new institutional investors. I believe today's announcement reflects the confidence they share in the growth prospects of the business and the outstanding team. While our products and services are already highly regarded by a range of blue chip clients, this fundraising is a transformative step forward to achieving our ambition to become a world-leading specialist in automotive test systems."

Related party transaction

Castlefield Fund Partners Limited is a substantial shareholder of the Company (the "Substantial Shareholder") and therefore classified as a related party under the AIM Rules. The Substantial Shareholder has participated in the Placing in respect of 182,000 Placing Shares at the Issue Price and its participation in the Placing is considered a related party transaction under the AIM Rules.

The Directors, having consulted with the Company's nominated adviser, Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, consider that the terms of the Substantial Shareholder's participation in the Placing and/or Open Offer is fair and reasonable insofar as the Company's Shareholders are concerned.

Posting of Circular

The Company is pleased to announce that it will today post a Circular to Qualifying Shareholders regarding an Open Offer to raise up to approximately £5 million (before expenses) and setting out further details of the Placing.  The Circular will also be made available on the Company's website later today at www.abdynamics.com.

The Circular also contains a Notice of General Meeting, which is being convened for 10.00 a.m. on 6 June 2019, as the issue of the Placing Shares and the Open Offer Shares are conditional, inter alia, on shareholder approval.

Admission

Application will also be made to London Stock Exchange plc for the Placing Shares and the Open Offer Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM ("Admission"). It is expected that Admission will become effective and that dealings in the Placing Shares and the Open Offer Shares will commence at 8.00 a.m. on 7 June 2019 (being the business day following the General Meeting).

Other than where defined, capitalised terms used in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the announcement released by the Company on 20 May 2019.

Enquiries:

AB Dynamics plc	01225 860 200
Tony Best, Non-Executive Chairman
Dr James Routh, Chief Executive Officer
Mat Hubbard, Chief Technology Officer
Rob Hart, Chief Financial Officer
Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (Financial Adviser and Sole Bookrunner)	0207 894 7000
Phil Davies, David Foreman (Corporate Finance) Caspar Shand Kydd, Keith Dowsing, Arthur Gordon (Equity Sales)
Cairn Financial Advisers (Nomad)	0207 213 0880
Tony Rawlinson Liam Murray Richard Nash
Tulchan Communications	0207 353 4200
James Macey White
Matt Low
Deborah Roney

The person responsible for arranging the release of this information is Dr James Routh, CEO of the Company.

Overview of AB Dynamics plc

AB Dynamics is a leading designer, manufacturer and provider of advanced products for testing of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems ("ADAS") technology, autonomous vehicle development and vehicle dynamics to the global automotive research and development sector. 

The Group is headquartered in Bradford-on-Avon, UK, employing approximately 187 staff.  AB Dynamics currently supplies all the top automotive manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers and service providers, who routinely use the Group's products to test vehicle safety and dynamics.

 

END

 

 

ROICKKDDPBKDPPB