CVT
12/11/2014 09:35
RIGHT
REL: 0935 HRS Comvita Limited
RIGHT: CVT: Chairman's Letter - Renounceable Rights Issue
Dear Fellow Shareholders
COMVITA RENOUNCEABLE RIGHTS ISSUE TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN OUR BUSINESS
Today we released our first half result for the 2015 financial year, and a
projection for our full year result ending 31 March 2015. In conjunction
with the result, Comvita has announced a 1 for 5 renounceable rights issue.
Our improved financial position upon successful completion of the rights
issue, will place Comvita in a strong position for further organic growth and
for acquisitions to enhance the future profitability of Comvita.
Over the last two years, Comvita has focused on investments which will
further the business' strategic objectives. These include better management
of our supply chain and raw materials costs; and continuing to build
infrastructure and system capacity to deliver greater product volume with
improved efficiency. In addition, Comvita has invested to grow sales through
our global distribution channels, which enable us to represent and position
our valuable brand to capture premium margins. Our investments in apiary
businesses, infrastructure, systems, research and development, and in growing
and supporting the Comvita team are all consistent with these strategies.
Our success in implementing these strategies over several years is evidenced
in today's announcement of increased projected sales and net profit for the
March 2015 financial year. We anticipate earnings per share growth to
continue over subsequent years.
The Offer is a 1 for 5 renounceable rights issue to qualifying existing
Comvita shareholders on the share register at 5pm on Friday 21 November 2014.
In total 6,861,079 shares will be offered at a price of $3.55 per share,
raising up to $24.4m of new equity capital (before costs). The Offer will
open on Tuesday 25 November 2014, with the rights tradeable on the NZX market
from Wednesday 19 November 2014 until Monday 8 December 2014, and the close
date for applications being 5pm Friday 12 December 2014. At the completion
of rights trading, an auction process (book build) will be conducted to sell
those rights that have not (or cannot) be exercised by existing shareholders,
with the proceeds (net of costs) being returned to those shareholders.
Please read the accompanying Offer Documentation carefully, and seek
financial advice if you require it in considering the Offer. Letters of
Entitlement will be posted to you on 24 November 2014.
I firmly believe the 'hard yards' that Comvita has completed over recent
years, particularly in improving security of raw materials supply and
increasing our business infrastructure, has positioned us well for the
future. I strongly encourage you to consider the Offer carefully and support
us through taking up your entitlement.
Yours sincerely
NEIL CRAIG
Chairman, Comvita Limited
End CA:00257539 For:CVT Type:RIGHT Time:2014-11-12 09:35:20
