I contacted DR Michelle Li on Tuesday to discuss Wayne Bould's sudden departure, and I got the usual lines it was by mutual agreement and that Wayne was looking to retire (why wasn't a date in the future nominated and the position advertised earlier on in the year to help with a smooth transition which is normal practise), and the directors are committed to delivering the best outcome for all shareholders.
She would not comment any further on the reasons for his departure, which I feel is very poor response, all shareholders, not just the ones with representatives on the board, should know what is going on.
We have been through 3 CEO's in as many years.
I feel that Wayne had done an excellent job in running the business, and I always found him approachable and honest in his assessments of Grange.
So I started to come up with my own theories as to why he suddenly departed, and they are as follows;
The board stopped him perusing alternative clients outside the current ones, which stagnates growth opportunities, and pushes down the price we have to sell for to keep cash flow going. The reason for this I explain further below.
The board have agreed on an over optimistic dividend payment being agreed on i.e 1 cent plus 1 cent special dividend, cash needs to be kept in the bank whilst the iron ore price is at it's current level. I feel Shagang are struggling in China and need the cash to help improve their bottom line.
The above two theories aid Shagang no end, with the much touted FTA between Australia and China expected to be agreed on, and announced during the upcoming G20 meeting. Granges cash position will have been diluted, potential stock piles of product sitting around, or having to sell product at a reduced rate i.e break even to get rid of it.
This will all allow Shagang to make a low ball offer for the company and take complete control. Once all the high cost low grade producers have gone from within China, Shagang will mine, with it's own flown in miners as per the proposed FTA draft that had been previously announced (Chinese owned mines can employ there people from China to work in there mines, still don't know if this will get up or not), all the high grade Magnetite it wants to feed it's own mills.
Just my thought's.
I would be interested to hear if anyone has heard through the grape vine the reason why Wayne left so suddenly.
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