Disposal

CSS Stellar PLC 08 January 2008 CSS Stellar Plc 'CSS' or the 'Company' Disposal of interest in US subsidiary The Directors of CSS Stellar plc are pleased to announce that CSS has today disposed of its interests in its 75% owned subsidiary, GEM Minneapolis, Inc. The disposal is in the form of a transfer to Studio One, Inc., a company owned by David Kuettel, who is the existing 25% minority shareholder in GEM Minneapolis, Inc., of the net third-party assets, goodwill and trade marks of GEM Minneapolis, Inc. David Kuettel, as a director of GEM Minneapolis, Inc., is considered a related party of CSS for the purpose of the AIM Rules. The value placed on the ongoing business is US$2,400,000. Consideration for the CSS 75% stake is US$1,800,000 paid by US$1,100,000 in cash on completion, plus a further US$700,000 by way of a promissory note payable in cash in three annual instalments between January 2009 and January 2011. As part of its strategy to focus on core businesses, the board of CSS decided that the nature of the business of GEM Minneapolis, Inc., in addition to its geographical location, means that it is no longer central to the Group's future strategy. Owing to the recent loss of a material contract with a major customer and the lack of certainty about the long-term sustainability of other major contracts, the board considers this disposal to be in the best interests of the shareholders. Following the transfer of the net third party assets to Studio One, Inc., CSS will liquidate GEM Minneapolis, Inc. GEM Minneapolis, Inc. is a brand design and packaging business based in Minneapolis, U.S.A. In 2006, it generated pre-tax profits of US$890,000, of which 75% (US$667,000) represent the beneficial interest of CSS. As a consequence of the transfer of the net third-party assets, CSS will write down by way of impairment the carrying value of its investment in GEM Minneapolis, Inc. by around £3.6 million in its 2007 accounts. This is a non-cash accounting entry and has no impact on the Group's cash position. The net proceeds will be used partly to reduce bank debt and for working capital. The Directors of CSS Stellar plc consider, having consulted with Landsbanki Securities (UK) Limited, the Company's Nominated Adviser, that the terms of the transaction are fair and reasonable insofar as the Company's shareholders are concerned. Enquiries David Buchler, Chairman CSS Stellar Plc Telephone: 020 7647 9903 John Craven, Landsbanki Securities (UK) Ltd Telephone: 020 7426 9000 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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