Approach to Universe Group PL

RNS Number : 6094B

Brulines Group PLC

29 October 2009

 



Press Release

29 October 2009

Brulines Group plc

("Brulines" or "the Group")

Approach to Universe Group PLC ("Universe")

Brulines Group plc (AIM: BRU), the market leading provider of real time monitoring systems and data management services for the UK leisure sector, notes the announcement released yesterday, 28 October 2009, by Universe concerning the proposed renewal and extension to a contract with a large UK supermarket chain and the comments made in that announcement concerning Brulines' consent being required for Universe to enter into that contract in accordance with Rule 21 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, arising from the contract containing a specific change of control clause in relation to Brulines.

In order to provide further clarification, the Group can confirm that Brulines wrote to the Chairman of Universe, John Scholes, on 26 October 2009, formally consenting to Universe entering into that contract (notwithstanding the specific change of control clause in relation to Brulines), subject only "that no announcement will be made about the contractual arrangements referred to in the memorandum which make any either specific or inferred reference to Brulines without the prior written consent of Brulines."

Brulines is disappointed that it was not shown a copy of this factual announcement in an attempt to obtain its consent for the inclusion of its name in the announcement and that the Universe Board has sought instead to go to the unnecessary expense of calling a General Meeting ("GM") to approve the contract.  Brulines confirms that it will vote in favour of the contract renewal and extension at the GM as this is in the best interests of Universe shareholders, and as a significant shareholder in Universe, are pleased with the renewal and extension of the particular contract.

- Ends -

Enquiries:

Brulines Group plc James Dickson, Chief Executive
Mark Foster, Finance Director	Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]	www.brulines.com
Cenkos Securities plc Adrian Hargrave  [e-mail]	Tel: [phone]

Media enquiries:

Abchurch
Sarah Hollins/ Joanne Shears / Mark Dixon	Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]	www.abchurch-group.com

About Brulines

Brulines Group is focused on the provision of real time monitoring systems and data management services for the UK's leisure and petrol forecourt sectors. Since its admission to AIM in 2006, the Group has grown both organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions to give the Group access to key vertical markets. The Group operates two divisions which comprise five key products:

LEISURE DIVISION

Dispense Monitoring (DMS)	The Group's core product, DMS, is widely used by owners and operators within the UK licensed on-trade, especially the tenanted / leased pub sector. Flow meters connected to draught beer dispense lines send data via an on-site communication panel to a secure central database. Liquid volumes by fount, draught wine or post mix are tracked as they are served, thereby helping customers to maximise sales, service and quality as well as managing their costs . DMS is installed in over 22,000 pubs and manages data for more than one in three UK pubs.
i-draught (formerly BQM)	A more recent and rapidly growing product offer is i-draughtTM, an extension of the Group's DMS, which scrutinises the quality of products running through beer lines in a bar; measuring volume, temperature, flow rate and liquid type (e.g. beer, cleaning fluid or water) at the point of dispense. i-draught is the first system to provide effective measurement of true yields on draught products. Actual dispense volumes are compared with till transactions to identify shrinkage from products given away, pilferage and wastage. i-draught measures the precise temperature of every pint as it is dispensed, the time taken to dispense each drink, and automatically identifies the liquid allowing customers to know exactly when lines are cleaned. Wherever they are customers can stay in control through accessing their information on a secure web site.
Gaming  Machine Data Services	The acquisition of Coin Metrics in May 2007 was a strong strategic fit with Brulines' existing Machine Insite business which already provides gaming machine data management and consultancy services to operators within the pub, club and leisure markets. Customers benefit from state-of-the-art real-time data capture and reporting systems that deliver improved machine profitability and operational security.
Vending  Telemetry	The Group's subsidiary Vianet is a pan-European provider of telemetry solutions and data applications to the vending industry. Vianet provides services for all vending management needs; from operations, sales, field services, national accounts to senior management.

FORECOURT SERVICES DIVISION

UK Petrol Forecourt Data Services

The Group's wholly-owned subsidiary, Edensure, supplies key management information to independent, multi branded owner, and supermarket petrol forecourt operators in the UK which helps reduce loss of fuel and improve profitability. Edensure provides petrol retailers with an unrivalled level of accuracy in the monitoring and management of their wet stock, using the most sophisticated analytical techniques available worldwide.

Headquartered in Stockton-on-Tees, Brulines employs more than 240 people. 

For further information, please visit www.brulines.com

 

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