Water Intelligence PLC Reacquisition of Las Vegas and Phoenix Franchises (5447E)
08 Julio 2021 - 1:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMWATR
RNS Number : 5447E
Water Intelligence PLC
08 July 2021
Water Intelligence plc
Reacquisition of Las Vegas and Phoenix Franchises
Water Intelligence plc (AIM: WATR.L) ("Water Intelligence" or
"Group"), a leading multinational provider of precision,
minimally-invasive leak detection and remediation solutions for
both potable and non-potable water is pleased to announce that it
has reacquired two major franchises - Las Vegas and Phoenix -
within the Group's American Leak Detection subsidiary ("ALD").
Today's set of acquisitions is the largest that the Group has
executed to date and reinforces its strong growth trajectory both
financially and operationally.
Financially, the acquisition will be earnings enhancing for
shareholders. The combined purchase price of $10.3 million will be
paid over four years and includes all assets to conduct operations
including trucks and equipment. The purchase price is based on
combined 2020 full-year results of approximately $5.75 million in
sales and $1.6 million in adjusted profits. Both locations are
continuing to grow in 1H 2021. Given the Group's available cash
reserves and bank facilities, the Group has sufficient capital to
fund the acquisitions and execute on its growth objectives.
The franchise leadership team, led by Keith Ozawa, will remain
in place to run the operation and to provide senior leadership in
helping the Group execute its growth plan. The purchase price
assumes a minimum level of profits for the next three-years and
provides stock options as part of the transaction for 75,000
ordinary shares, at the current market price, in order to align
incentives. These options vest in full on the fourth anniversary of
grant.
Water Intelligence has strong market demand for its solutions.
The Group is seeking to add to its supply of trained technicians
across the United States to address customer demand, especially
from its insurance channel, and the resulting backlog of work. Mr.
Ozawa has been involved over the last two years in assisting the
franchise System secure more trained technicians. He will work
closely with John Spenard, the Group's newly appointed Chief People
Officer.
Demand in Las Vegas and Phoenix is especially strong for ALD
water leak detection and repair services, due to a variety of
factors such as heat, drought, the number of swimming pools and
higher income levels. Strategically, these reacquisitions follow
the May reacquisition of its Reno, Nevada franchise and the Group's
prior reacquisition of its franchise in Tucson, Arizona. It enables
ALD to link existing corporate operations - Las Vegas with Reno and
Phoenix with Tucson. Such operational scale is expected to
contribute to both growth and efficiencies. In addition, today's
reacquisitions reinforce the corporate strategy of creating
regional hubs to help grow both corporate and franchise operations
and also to integrate UK-based Water Intelligence International's
municipal offerings in the United States.
Today's two reacquisitions bring the total number of
transactions year-to-date to seven. By themselves, Las Vegas,
Phoenix and last week's reacquisition of the Northeast Florida
franchise add approximately $8 million in annual sales and $2
million of annual adjusted profits to the Group's pro forma
financials based on 2020 annual results for these franchises. The
Directors believe that there is scope for further growth as
additional technicians are deployed.
The Group seeks to maintain a strong growth trajectory as it
focuses on market capture in a large addressable market. With
respect to organic growth, as announced earlier this week, the
Group has won its broadest mandate for an insurance national
account to provide water leak detection and repair solutions.
ALD is delivering "essential services" to consumers, businesses
and municipalities to address their water infrastructure problems.
Market demand is acyclical and growing stronger as the price of
water is rising, especially given droughts in the western part of
the United States and the aftermath of the big freeze in the
southern parts of the country.
Keith Ozawa, Executive Vice President and former franchise owner
for Las Vegas and Phoenix commented: "I am excited to contribute
leadership to drive the further rapid growth of our American Leak
Detection brand. Customers, especially insurance companies, are
demanding our minimally invasive water leak detection solutions.
One key to our success, for franchise owners and corporate managers
alike, is our ability to attract and train talented women and men
who are passionate about leveraging technology to solve our
nation's and the world's water infrastructure issues."
Executive Chairman, Dr. Patrick DeSouza commented: "I am very
pleased with our start to 3Q. We have achieved our broadest mandate
for an insurance national account and executed our biggest
franchise reacquisition in line with our strategic growth plan. I
am excited about working with Keith. Notwithstanding Covid, Water
Intelligence aims to deliver a strong trajectory because our
solutions are in high demand around the world as communities look
to preserve our most precious resource."
The information communicated in this announcement is inside
information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation
596/2014
Enquiries :
Water Intelligence plc
Patrick DeSouza, Executive Chairman Tel: +1 203 654 5426
RBC Capital Markets - Joint Broker Tel: +44 (0)20 7653 4000
Jill Li
Elizabeth Evans
WH Ireland Limited - NOMAD & Joint Tel: +44 (0)20 7220 1666
Broker
Adrian Hadden
James Sinclair-Ford
Matthew Chan Tel: +44 (0)20 3903 7721
Dowgate Capital Ltd - Joint Broker
Stephen Norcross
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