KUALA LUMPUR, MAR 4, 2024 – Contract manufacturer Ge-Shen (the Company) is seeking
to acquire a 40% stake in Local Assembly Sdn Bhd, an electronic manufacturing service
provider, for RM48 million, indicating the Group’s expansion into the EMS market.
In a bourse filing today, Ge-Shen has proposed to enter into a share sale agreement (SSA)
with the 3 co-founders of Local Assembly Sdn Bhd (LA) to acquire 400,000 ordinary shares.
The co-founders of LA are Chai Voon Sun (37.5% interest), Gurmakh Singh A/L Ajmer Singh
(22.5%) and Wee Thian Song (15%).
As part of the terms stated in SSA, Ge-Shen is guaranteed a minimum Profit After Tax (PAT)
of RM24 million from LA for FYE24 and FYE25.
Ge-Shen said the purchase consideration is in line with the Company’s objective of being a
globally recognised engineering and manufacturing solutions provider.
The Board believes the acquisition will complement the existing business, enabling crossmarketing of products with diverse designs and specifications to a broader clientele. This will
also drive synergistic value across the Company through shared technology know-how.
Of the RM48 mil purchase price, 30% (RM14.4 mil) will be funded via bank borrowings and
the remaining 70% (RM33.6 mil) will be funded via the proceeds to be raised from the
proposed private placement stated in the same filing.
Meanwhile, the Company proposes a private placement of up to 39,478,700 ordinary shares,
equivalent to a maximum of 30% of the issued capital. Proceeds will fund the said acquisition,
repayment of bank borrowings and utilise as working capital.
On the financial front, Ge-Shen noted that the impact of the acquisition on its gearing could
only be determined based on the final breakdown of the funding sources to finance the
acquisition.
The anticipated completion of the proposed acquisition is slated for the second half of 2024.
Ge-Shen will hold an extraordinary general meeting to seek shareholder approval for the
proposals in accordance with Paragraph 10.13(1) of the Main Market Listing Requirements
(MMLR).
Local Assembly started operations in 2000 as a manufacturer of electronic, electrical and
plastic injection moulded components and subcontract assembler of electrical appliances and
equipment. Local Assembly’s primary markets encompass Malaysia and Singapore. In fiscal
year 2022, ending December 31, 2022, the company achieved a PAT of RM20.52 million,
propelled by a revenue of RM131.78 million.
Ge-Shen posted a net profit after tax and non-controlling interest of RM5.87 million in the
fourth quarter ended 31st December 2023 (Q4FY2023), compared to the previous year. This
quarter’s profit is notably the highest since Q4 of FY16.
For the full year ended Dec 31 (FY2023), Ge-Shen’s earning before interest tax depreciation
and amortisation and unrealised foreign exchange (“EBITDAF”) expanded 7.5% to RM29.65
million from RM27.59 million, while revenue climbed 1.1% to RM256.31 million from RM253.61
million.