January, 2010
Global Leisure Partners LLP advises WIBHM Limited on acquisition of Wolseley Ireland Holdings

Global Leisure Partners LLP ("GLP") is pleased to announce that it acted as exclusive financial advisor to WIBHM Limited, a private investor backed company, on the acquisition from Wolseley Plc ("Wolseley") of 100% of its shareholding in Wolseley Ireland Holdings Limited (WIHL) for total consideration of €26.5 million (£23.8 million). Cash consideration of €6.5 million (£5.8 million) was paid on completion. The balance of €20 million (£18 million) will be satisfied through a loan note issued in favour of Wolseley at a coupon of 10%, to be repaid within one year. Under the terms of the agreement, Wolseley has agreed to fund the deficit in the Northern Ireland pension scheme (currently estimated to be €5.5 million (£4.9 million)), and this will be repaid by the purchaser by means of a separate loan note with a coupon of 3%. Repayments under this loan note will start at the end of its second year, at a rate of €1.5 million (£1.3 million) per annum. The balance of any deficit still remaining in the fifth year will be repaid in full. Both loan notes are secured in full on WIHL freehold property assets in Ireland.   

WIHL comprises Wolseley’s entire interest in the Republic of Ireland including the Heat Merchants, Brooks, Tubs and Tiles and Encon Ireland trading brands and also includes the Brooks business in Northern Ireland. The combined businesses operate through a network of 67 branches and approximately 650 employees.  

Wolseley is disposing of the businesses in line with its strategy of focusing its activities where it has built sufficient scale, established leading market positions and can deliver an appropriate financial return. In the year ended 31 July 2009, the businesses had combined sales of €237 million (£204 million) and underlying operating losses of €34 million (£30 million). On a pro forma basis, sales for the 5 months ended 31 December 2009 were €75 million (£67 million) and underlying operating losses were €5 million (£4.6 million). Net assets at completion are estimated at €73 million (£66 million) and the exceptional pre tax loss on disposal, excluding any recycling of currency translation from reserves arising from the transaction is estimated to be around €55 million (£50 million).  

Commenting on the disposal, Ian Meakins, Chief Executive of Wolseley, said:

"I am confident that the transaction we have concluded with WIBHM Limited represents a good outcome for Wolseley's shareholders. It will also enable us to bring an even greater degree of focus on driving performance improvement in our core UK businesses."   

Commenting on the acquisition, Mervyn Metcalf, Managing Director of GLP, said:

"This transaction should benefit all involved parties.  The deal demonstrates Wolseley’s commitment to execute on its current strategy for its wider business whilst the management and the new owners can focus resources on building each of the market-leading Irish brands." 

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