53.76% BERNAS SHARE TO TRADEWINDS WHILST GUINNESS 4Q NET PROFIT UP BY 41%

1.Naib Presiden PAS menggesa Kerajaan menarik balik permit import yang telah diberikan kepada Bernas. "Mana boleh bagi kepada syarikat monopoli. Dasar monopoli hanya mementingkan keuntungan syarikat dan mana mungkin mereka akan menjaga kepentingan pengguna. Ianya sangat bahaya kepada keselamatan makanan negara".

2. Tradewinds - sugar manufacturer and palm plantation company said it would acquire 31.52% from Hong Kong-based Wang Tak Co Ltd for RM308.4mil and a further 22.24% from Gandingan Bersepadu Sdn Bhd for RM217.6mil.

3. Guinness will continue to work to strengthen brand equity, improve operational efficiencies, and effectiveness in order to further increase market share and profitability.
*Tradewinds to buy 53.7% of Bernas for RM526mil (theStarOnline) *Guinness 4Q net profit up 40.5% y-o-y (theMalaysianEdge) *Selamatkan beras negara, tarik AP Bernas- Mahfuz (harakahdaily)

Tradewinds to buy 53.7% of Bernas for RM526mil

Saturday August 29, 2009


PETALING JAYA: Tradewinds (M) Bhd has proposed to acquire a 53.76% stake in rice importer Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) for RM526mil cash.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, the sugar manufacturer and palm plantation company said it would acquire 31.52% from Hong Kong-based Wang Tak Co Ltd for RM308.4mil and a further 22.24% from Gandingan Bersepadu Sdn Bhd for RM217.6mil.

Tradewinds said the proposals, which were expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2009, would allow the company to tap into Bernas’ existing marketing and distribution networks all over Malaysia, which were significantly larger than its own.

It added that the proposed acquisitions would enable Tradewinds to share similar distribution channels with Bernas, such as warehousing and transportation and ensuring greater economies of scale and operational efficiency.

“Our national interest is the overriding factor in this proposed exercise but we also anticipate tremendous business synergies by eliminating duplication of resources, enhancing cost-savings initiatives and allowing both companies to leverage on existing business infrastructure.

“We foresee significant improvements in productivity and efficiency across the enlarged group which would benefit the shareholders,” said Tradewinds chairman Datuk Wira Syed Abdul Jabbar Syed Hassan (pic) in a statement.

Tradewinds said with the resulting 54% stake in Bernas, it would be obliged under stock exchange rules to make a mandatory general offer (MGO) for the outstanding stock.

However, it plans to seek an exemption from the Securities Commission from having to undertake the MGO. Following the takeover, the companies were expected to have a market capitalisation of close to RM3bil, it said, adding that the acquisitions would be made via bank borrowings.


theStaronline
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Guinness 4Q net profit up 40.5% y-o-y


Friday, 28 August 2009 19:24

KUALA LUMPUR: GUINNESS ANCHOR BHD []'s net profit rose 40.5% to RM27.39 million in the fourth quarter (4Q) ended June from RM19.49 million a year earlier, helped by higher sales and writeback of provisions.

Revenue grew 10.4% to RM276.27 million from RM250.31 million.

Full-year net profit surged by annual rate of 12.8% to RM141.99 million from RM125.86 million as revenue climbed 8.4% to RM1.29 billion from RM1.19 billion.

"This (revenue) was partially due to a further increase in market share and higher sales resulting from promotional activities in celebration of Guinness' 250th anniversary," Guinness told Bursa exchange today.

In quarterly terms, net profit, however, fell 16% from RM32.6 million in 3Q due to the timing of the Chinese New Year. Revenue was down 12.2% from RM314.83 million.

Looking ahead, the brewer does foresee significant growth in industry volume amid a challenging economic landscape.

"The group will continue to work to strengthen brand equity, improve operational efficiencies, and effectiveness in order to further increase market share and profitability," Guinness said.


Chong Jin Hun/theEdge