Update

RNS Number : 5493V

Petards Group PLC

29 May 2008

 



Petards Group plc ('Petards' or 'the Company')

Update

Update re. Possible Offer or Refinancing

Further to the announcement made on 22 April 2008, concerning discussions with a number of parties concerning the potential sale of the Company and/or one of its divisions or, alternatively, a refinancing of the business by a third party, the Company confirms that discussions are continuing with an emphasis on a refinancing of the business.

Preliminary results

Given the above continuing discussions regarding a possible refinancing or a potential sale of the business and/or one of its divisions, the Board now expects to announce its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2007 in the latter part of June and not in May as previously announced.

Trading update

Trading continues to be in line with that previously announced with the Company having traded well in the year to date and with net debt within projected levels. 

For further information:

Petards Group plc	Collins Stewart Europe Limited	Parkgreen Communications
Andy Wonnacott, Finance Director	Mark Connelly, Stewart Wallace	Paul McManus
Tel: [phone]	Tel: [phone]	Mob: [phone]
www.petards.com		[e-mail]

Collins Stewart Europe Limited ('Collins Stewart') which is regulated in the United Kingdom by The Financial Services Authority is acting for the Company in relation to the matters described in this announcement and is not advising any other person, and accordingly will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to customers of Collins Stewart or for providing advice in relation to the matters described in this announcement.

Dealing disclosure requirements

Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the 'Code'), if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of the Company, all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of the Company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the 'offer period' otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of the Company, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all 'dealings' in 'relevant securities' of the Company by the Company or by any of its respective 'associates', must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.

A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant securities' 'dealings' should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk . 

'Interests in securities' arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in price or securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.

Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can be found on the Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel.

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