03 July 2013
Synlait Milk Limited to commence trading on NZX Main Board
The ordinary shares of Synlait Milk Limited (“Synlait Milk”) will begin trading today on the NZX Main Board under the code ‘SML’. This completes Synlait Milk’s successful Initial Public Offering (IPO), with gross proceeds of $114 million received from new shareholders at $2.20 per share.
Synlait Milk will have approximately 146 million shares and a market capitalisation immediately prior to the start of trading of approximately $322 million.
Synlait Milk chairman Graeme Milne says the IPO has been an outstanding success. “Synlait Milk has raised $75 million of new capital which will be applied to pay down debt and access funding for growth initiatives that will increase the capacity of the existing plant by 50% and lift production of high value ingredients and infant formula.”
“Of further significance is the addition of 2,296 new shareholders to support Synlait Milk’s growth. This includes FrieslandCampina Investments Holding B.V., which is a subsidiary of Royal FrieslandCampina of Holland, one of the world’s largest dairy cooperatives and an existing customer of Synlait Milk. In addition, the IPO attracted strong support from institutions in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong, employees and suppliers of Synlait Milk and New Zealand retail investors.”
Bright Dairy will remain Synlait Milk’s cornerstone shareholder with a 39.1% holding. Mitsui & Co., Limited and Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Limited will together hold approximately 8.4% and FrieslandCampina Investments Holding B.V. will hold 7.5%.
Managing Director and co-founder of Synlait Milk John Penno says it is clear that many investors see Synlait Milk as a strategic asset in the New Zealand dairy industry and an opportunity to invest in a business that is clearly committed to creating more value from milk.
“Synlait Milk has performed. It has met its milestones and we are fully confident that as a trusted supplier of ingredients to some of the world’s leading milk-based health and nutritional brands Synlait Milk is on track to deliver value for all stakeholders now and into the future.”
“Following our successful IPO we will now undertake a series of growth initiatives that will take Synlait Milk on the next stage of its journey. We will seek to fulfil our potential by continuing to focus on the requirements of our customers and delivering excellence at every step in the process.”
ENDS
About Synlait Milk Limited
Synlait Milk is focused on becoming a trusted supplier of choice to some of the world’s leading milk-based health and nutrition companies. The Company collects milk from approximately 155 farms in Canterbury, in the South Island of New Zealand, and manufactures a range of value added ingredient products and infant formula and nutritional products.
For more information please contact:
Michael Wan
Marketing and Communications Manager Synlait Milk
P: +64 27 288 8253
E: michael.wan@synlait.com
www.synlait.com
John Draper
Senescall Akers Limited
P: +64 9 3095657
M: + 64 21 581234
draper@senescallakers.co.nz