Pacific Equity Partners to Buy SingPost’s Australian Business
Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) on Monday announced that it has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) for the sale of its Australia business, Freight Management Holdings Pty Ltd (FMH).
The proposed divestment is subject to regulatory approvals such as approvals from the Foreign Investment Review Board of Australia, and SingPost obtaining the requisite approval from shareholders in an extraordinary general meeting of SingPost to be convened.
PEP shall acquire the Australia business at an enterprise value of $666.82 million, which includes translates into $507.25 million in cash and generates an expected gain on disposal of approximately $231.86 million, subject to adjustments determined at the time of completion and any other further adjustments.
SingPost Chairman Simon Israel said that they believe this divestment is the best option for shareholders by crystallising the unrealised value of the business and bringing forward unlocking value for shareholders.
PEP Managing Director David Brown said that FMH Group has a stellar track record of growth, a passionate team and a clear and compelling trajectory and they were looking forward to supporting them to build on their success and facilitate further opportunities, he said.
SingPost intends to utilise some of the proceeds to repay borrowings, in particular, its Australian Dollar-denominated debt amounting to $238.32 million – as at 30 September 2024 – undertaken for the financing of the acquisition of FMH.
The total Australian Dollar-denominated debt of the SingPost Group (including borrowings undertaken by FMH) amounted to $404.8 million as at 30 September 2024.
Future Course of Action
The SingPost Board will consider in due course, the payment of a special dividend after taking into account, amongst other things, the repayment of the Australian Dollar-denominated borrowing and future funding needs of the SingPost Group.
In July 2023, the Board initiated a strategic review of the SingPost Group’s portfolio of businesses, with a view to enhancing shareholder returns and ensuring that SingPost is appropriately valued.
In March 2024, the Board outlined its strategic intentions for the businesses and in line with this, initiated a strategic review specifically for the Australia business to formulate options for the Group. Merrill Lynch Markets Australia Pty Limited (BofA) was appointed as financial advisor to the Board.
In the course of the strategic review, SingPost received unsolicited interest in the acquisition of FMH, leading to an international competitive bid process conducted by BofA.
After evaluating various options, including full and partial divestments, organic and inorganic growth strategies, the Board determined that a full divestment was the best option and a first step towards bringing forward and unlocking value for shareholders.
SingPost Group CEO Vincent Phang said that once the transaction was complete, the Board and Management will review and reset the Group’s strategic plan, with a continued focus on shareholder value.
