TIDMSAG TIDMTPG
RNS Number : 5441J
Science Group PLC
24 August 2021
24 August 2021
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION
WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR
REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION.
THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FALLING UNDER RULE 2.4 OF THE CITY CODE
ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "CODE") AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A
FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE CODE. THERE
CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT ANY FIRM OFFER WILL BE MADE EVEN IF THE
PRE-CONDITIONS ARE SATISFIED.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement regarding Final[1] Possible Offer for TP Group plc
("TP Group" or the "Company")
Further to the announcements by TP Group plc on 17 August 2021
and 23 August 2021, the Board of Science Group provides the
following response and an update in relation to a possible offer by
Science Group to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share
capital of TP Group.
Science Group Shareholding
Following further share purchases in the market, as at 7am on 24
August 2021, Science Group holds 140,528,829 shares in TP Group,
equivalent to approx. 18.03% of the Company's issued voting share
capital. The highest price paid by Science Group has been 6.5 pence
per TP Group share.
Science Group reiterates its statement on 16 August 2021 that,
if the TP Group Board continues to refuse to cooperate, and as a
result Science Group is unable to make an offer for TP Group,
Science Group will retain its shareholding in TP Group as a
strategic investment and will adopt an active engagement strategy
in relation to its investment. For the avoidance of doubt, Science
Group reiterates that it is not interested in considering any
offers for its stake in TP Group from third parties.
Increase in Indicative Offer
On 17 August 2021, the TP Group Board declared that Science
Group's initial indicative offer of 5.8 pence per share
"significantly undervalues TP Group". On 20 August 2021, Science
Group informed the Board of TP Group of its increased shareholding,
as announced on that date. In addition, Science Group increased its
indicative offer, subject to certain pre-conditions including that
satisfactory due diligence be completed, to
6.5 pence per TP Group share in cash ("Increased Indicative
Offer") .
This Increased Indicative Offer represents a premium of approx.
67% to the closing share price on 6 August 2021, the last trading
day prior to Science Group's initial investment and is the same as
the issue price in the TP Group fund raising in July 2017. For TP
Group shareholders, the Increased Indicative Offer provides a very
attractive liquidity opportunity at a substantial premium. Science
Group intends to finance the acquisition from its own resources and
third-party funding, which may include equity and/or debt.
On 23 August 2021, TP Group rejected the Science Group Increased
Indicative Offer. Science Group has informed the TP Group Board
that it does not intend to increase its indicative offer above 6.5
pence per share hence its offer of 6.5p per share is therefore
final but reserves the right to do so if a third party announces an
offer or possible offer for TP Group.
TP Group Strategy
The refusal of the TP Group Board to engage with Science Group
is extraordinary in the context of the financial position of TP
Group and the value deterioration presided over by the TP Group
Board in recent years. It was the TP Group's results for the year
ended 31 December 2020, released by the TP Group Board on 15 June
2021, which included the statement that "a material uncertainty
exists which may cast significant doubt on the Group's and Parent
Company's ability to continue as a going concern", a damning
commentary repeated in the Independent Auditor's Report in the TP
Group plc 2020 Annual Report. This outcome notably contrasts with
the sub-heading of the TP Group Interim Results released on 20
October 2020, approximately 10 weeks before the end of the year,
which declared that the Company's "resilient operating model
continues to support growth opportunities". The TP Group Board's
optimism for the future has been stated on multiple occasions but
has consistently failed to translate into value for
shareholders.
In the 17 August 2021 announcement by TP Group, Science Group
also notes the statement regarding TPG Maritime, reversing a
decision announced less than a month ago on 26 July 2021 after a
six month formal sale process and after the new CEO had "completed
a detailed review of the business" as a result of which the TP
Group Board "decided to withdraw the Maritime business from sale."
Science Group cannot comment on the merits of the TPG Maritime
disposal, but such strategic indecisiveness does not instil
confidence in the Board of TP Group and raises questions regarding
the "detailed review" reportedly undertaken.
With regard to delivering on their strategy, the TP Group Board
seeks to blame the poor performance of the Company on the Covid-19
pandemic. Yet, while the performance of TP Group has been weak,
Science Group has reported resilient performance over the past two
years. In the first half of 2021, Science Group reported record
results, with an adjusted earnings per share increase of 51%
compared to the prior year and 125% compared to the first half of
2019 before the pandemic.
It is therefore ironic that, in their 17 August 2021 and 23
August 2021 announcements, TP Group highlight the acquisition of
Frontier Smart Technologies ("Frontier") by Science Group in 2019.
Frontier, like TP Group, was an under-performing business, which
over the past two years Science Group has transformed into a highly
profitable division with good prospects for customers and
employees. In summary, and in stark contrast to TP Group, Science
Group has demonstrated its ability to realise value for
shareholders from its acquisition strategy.
Synergies between Science Group and TP Group
According to the announcement by the TP Group Board on 17 August
2021, TP Group now aspires to become a "leading high growth, high
margin, cash generative international consultancy", effectively a
description of Science Group's services business. Furthermore, the
TP Group trading update on 26 January 2021 defined the strategy as
"to focus on delivering consulting, digital solutions, advanced
technology and bespoke engineering", again a description of the
services provided by Science Group.
Science Group deploys highly qualified engineering and science
resources (eg software, electronics, mechanical engineering,
project management, physicists, mathematicians, chemists etc)
across multiple market sectors and, as outlined on 10 August 2021,
the TP Group operations in the Defence and Aerospace sectors would
be complementary to the existing Science Group vertical market
expertise. The greater scale of an enlarged consultancy operation
would clearly provide a tangible synergistic opportunity through
resource deployment across multiple sectors. It is incomprehensible
that the TP Group Board conclude that "operational synergies do not
exist" between two such similar organisations.
This is particularly relevant to TP Group employees since, on 15
June 2021, TP Group reported that the Covid pandemic impacted
utilisation of consultancy skills and the TP Group Board announced
on 17 August 2021 that cost reduction actions had been initiated.
In contrast, Science Group is currently actively recruiting for
technical and non-technical roles. The TP Group Board has a
responsibility to all stakeholders, including employees.
In summary, the TP Group statement that "operational synergies
do not exist" in a potential combination of TP Group and Science
Group is strategically myopic.
Offer Timetable and General Meeting
TP Group shareholders should understand the offer timetable.
While TP Group note that the deadline of 7 September 2021 can be
extended with the consent of the Takeover Panel, the TP Group Board
categorically declared on 17 August 2021 that it had "no intention
of engaging with Science Group" and on 23 August 2021 rejected the
Increased Indicative Offer. TP Group shareholders should understand
that unless TP Group consent to such an extension being granted
then it is highly improbable that such an extension would be
consented to by the Takeover Panel.
In view of the poor financial position of TP Group, as reported
by TP Group in the 2020 results and Annual Report, Science Group
has always made clear that access to due diligence information and
completion of satisfactory due diligence is necessary in order for
an offer to be made. The obstructive approach adopted by the TP
Group Board may well prevent TP Group shareholders being able to
consider the potential Science Group offer to provide cash
liquidity at an approx. 67% premium to the closing share price on
the last trading day prior to Science Group's investment.
Science Group is pleased to see that the TP Group Board
acknowledge in the 17 August 2021 announcement that they are
"required to convene a general meeting" to enable TP Group
shareholders to consider the constitution of the TP Group plc
Board. However, TP Group shareholders should note that it is likely
that the date of the general meeting will be after the expiry of
the offer period. Science Group will make further statements in
relation to the TP Group general meeting in due course.
Pre-conditions and Important Information
The announcement by Science Group of a firm intention to make an
offer, to be effected by a Scheme of Arrangement, for TP Group
under Rule 2.7 of the Code would be conditional upon:
-- completion of due diligence to the satisfaction of Science Group;
-- the unconditional recommendation of the offer by the Board of Directors of TP Group; and
-- final approval by the Board of Science Group.
These pre-conditions are not capable of being waived.
In addition, Science Group advised TP Group that its valuation
assumption was based on the performance of TP Group being in line
with the Cenkos' analyst forecasts issued on 15 June 2021 and that
the indicative offer was subject to other conditions (eg
irrevocable undertakings; prudence in terms of professional fees;
limitations on executive financial rewards; etc ) normal in such
transactions. These secondary conditions are capable of being
waived. On 23 August 2021, TP Group described these prudent
requirements, which are not atypical in offer situations, as
"substantial pre-conditions", a description not accepted by Science
Group, particularly when TP Group has appointed two sets of
Financial Advisors, a highly unusual occurrence for a
financially-constrained, AIM quoted small-cap company.
TP Group has not provided any feedback on any of the terms and
conditions within the Science Group Indicative Offer(s) and has not
provided any information on the financial performance of TP Group
in any form, including not engaging on the assumptions put forward
by Science Group in its valuation assumptions.
Science Group reserves the right to:
-- subject to Rule 11.1 of the Code, vary the form and/or mix of
the consideration to be offered for TP Group shares; and
-- reduce the consideration of any offer by all or part of the
amount of any dividend (or other distribution) which is paid or
becomes payable by TP Group to its shareholders after the date of
this announcement.
End
Science Group plc Tel: +44 (0) 1223 875 200
Martyn Ratcliffe, Chairman www.sciencegroup.com
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Financial Adviser,
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7710 7600
Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)
Nick Adams, Alex Price, Richard Short
Liberum Capital Limited (Joint Broker)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 2000
Neil Patel, Cameron Duncan
MHP Communications (PR Adviser to Science Group ) Tel: +44 (
0)20 3128 8793
Reg Hoare
Further information
The person responsible for the release of this announcement on
behalf of Science Group is Martyn Ratcliffe, Chairman of Science
Group.
This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute an
offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or
buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or
the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom may be restricted by law
and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes
should inform themselves about, and observe such restrictions. Any
failure to comply with such restrictions may constitute a violation
of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited ("Stifel"), which is authorised
and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct
Authority, is acting as Financial Adviser exclusively for Science
Group and no one else in connection with the matters set out in
this announcement and will not regard any other person as its
client in relation to the matters in this announcement and will not
be responsible to anyone other than Science Group for providing the
protections afforded to clients of Stifel, nor for providing advice
in relation to any matter referred to herein.
Sources of financial information and bases of calculation
The closing mid-market share prices for TP Group shares have
been derived from the Daily Official List.
The premium calculation per TP Group share is by reference to
3.9 pence, being the closing mid-market share price on 6 August
2021, the last trading day prior to Science Group's share
purchase.
The reference to Science Group's adjusted earnings per share
increase of 51% and 125% in the first half of 2021 compared to the
first half of 2020 and 2019 respectively was taken from the Science
Group interim report for the first half of 2021 published on 26
July 2021.
Disclosure requirements of the Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in
1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree
company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror
other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced
that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an
Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer
period and, if later, following the announcement in which any
securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening
Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests
and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant
securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any
securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a
person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than
3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the
commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later
than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the
announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first
identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of
the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to
the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead
make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes,
interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the
offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a
Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities
of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A
Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned
and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to
subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree
company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the
extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule
8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies
must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business
day following the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or
understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an
interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a
securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single
person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree
company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be
made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons
acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and
8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose
relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing
Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on
the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including
details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the
offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified.
You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44
(0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are
required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing
Disclosure.
Publication on Website
In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Code, a copy of this
announcement will be available at
https://www.sciencegroup.com/investor-information/ promptly and in
any event by no later than 12 noon on the business day following
this announcement. The content of this website is not incorporated
into and does not form part of this announcement.
[1] Science Group reserves the right to increase its indicative
offer above 6.5 pence per share if a third party announces an offer
or possible offer for TP Group .
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END
STRGZGZRZDVGMZG
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August 24, 2021 02:01 ET (06:01 GMT)
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