Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Nanogate significantly expands market position by acquiring Eurogard B.V.

Home > Press > Nanogate significantly expands market position by acquiring Eurogard B.V. – growth course continues

Abstract:
Eurogard is the world's largest supplier in the specialist market for coatings on transparent plastics - Nanogate climbs to leading international integrated systems provider for nanosurfaces - Strong sales and earnings growth expected: Nanogate increases forecast for sales in 2011 to more than EUR 30 million (previously min. EUR 25 million)

Nanogate significantly expands market position by acquiring Eurogard B.V. – growth course continues

Göttelborn, Germany | Posted on April 29th, 2011

Nanogate AG (ISIN DE000A0JKHC9), the leading international integrated systems provider for nanosurfaces, is acquiring the Dutch company Eurogard B.V. and thereby considerably expanding its position on the market for high-performance surfaces. The newly acquired equity holding is a leading supplier of coatings for two-dimensional components and the number one in the global specialist market for transparent plastics of high optical quality. In the 2010 financial year, Eurogard's sales were in the high single-digit millions and its EBITDA yield was in double figures. In the light of the acquisition, Nanogate is increasing its forecast for Group sales in 2011 to more than EUR 30 million, where the previous estimate was at least EUR 25 million.

The purchase price for 100 % of the shares in Eurogard B.V. amounts to EUR 10 million; a low-interest loan from BGL BNP Paribas S.A. has been made available for this. In order to strengthen the Group's equity base, Nanogate is examining the possibility of a capital increase, which could be completed at short notice given the right market conditions. The transaction is expected to be closed in the coming weeks, now that the agreement has been signed. Eurogard's existing management team will continue to head up the company. Nanogate expects the new company to be fully integrated in the third quarter of 2011.

Number one in the global specialist market for transparent plastics

Eurogard specialises in enhancing surfaces on two-dimensional components and is the global market leader in the lucrative specialist sector of transparent plastics. Based in Geldrop (Netherlands), the company was established in 1992 as a surfaces centre for the global GE Plastics group after it began operating in this segment in the 1980s. Most recently, the firm was owned by Vokes-Air Holding AB. In the 2010 financial year, Eurogard's sales were in the high single-digit millions and its EBITDA yield was a double-figure number. The company is free from debt and generates a positive free cash flow.

Projects for SABIC Group and Hörmann Group

The firm primarily focuses on supplying the buildings/interiors, aviation and automotive/mechanical engineering sectors. Its most important clients include the SABIC Group (formerly GE Plastics and one of the world's largest manufacturers of plastics) and the Hörmann Group. Eurogard coatings can be used on aircraft windows, utility vehicles, building elements and ski goggles, for example. At present, Eurogard has around 30 employees, two production lines - a thermal cure coating line and a UV cure coating line - and one development system. The facilities are fully automated, can each coat one or two sides, and apply multiple enhancements in a single production run.

Ralf Zastrau, CEO of Nanogate AG, commented: "The Eurogard takeover places Nanogate in the ideal position on the market for high-performance surfaces, following on from our acquisition of a majority stake in GfO AG in August 2010. With the total skill set that we now have, Nanogate has climbed to the leading international integrated systems provider for nanosurfaces. We offer the complete range of technologies and cover the entire value chain for all types of surface - for both two and three-dimensional components. Eurogard boasts technological expertise in mass production, a strong customer base and a sustainably profitable business model. The product portfolios and target sectors complement one another perfectly. We will derive considerable benefit from Eurogard, even in the current financial year. Nanogate anticipates strong growth in 2011 along with a considerable improvement in the operating result. For this reason, we are already raising the forecast for Group sales in 2011 to over EUR 30 million, instead of the minimum of EUR 25 million previously projected."

Anthony Lucassen, Member of the Management Board at Eurogard B.V., added: "Nanogate has wide-ranging and mature materials expertise paired with comprehensive, first-class process and production know-how. In the future, Eurogard's customers will also benefit from these advantages. Together, Nanogate and Eurogard can develop new systems which will give our clients a significant competitive edge. Joint marketing and an integrated product portfolio will also strengthen both companies' sales potential."

Strong joint growth potential

Transparent plastics are used for a wide range of applications. Their main advantage is that they can often replace glass, as transparent plastics are lighter, more stable and easier to work with. Eurogard can process almost all types of plastic, including polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC) and styrene acrylonitrile (SAN).

Together, Nanogate and Eurogard are pursuing a growth strategy based on three pillars: expanding their international market position, catering for new applications and customers, and offering additional services. Doing so enables them to benefit from each other's strengths and long-standing expertise.

Nanogate on Twitter: twitter.com/nanogate_ag

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About Nanogate AG
Nanogate is the leading international integrated systems provider for nanosurfaces, concentrating primarily on enhancing high-performance surfaces. The firm, which is based in Göttelborn (Saarland), enables the programming and integration of additional properties – such as non-stick, antibacterial, anti-corrosive and ultra-low friction – into materials and surfaces. As an enabler, Nanogate gains a competitive edge for its customers by means of product refinement using chemical nanotechnology. Nanogate covers a wide range of industries, functions and substrates. The company thus provides a decisive interface for the commercial use of chemical nanotechnology and bridges the gap between the suppliers of raw materials and industrial conversion into products. In doing so, Nanogate concentrates as an enabler on one of the most attractive segments in the industry. Nanogate has a unique combination of extensive materials expertise paired with comprehensive, first-class process and production know-how. As a systems provider, Nanogate covers the entire value chain, from the purchase of raw materials, to the synthesis and formulation of the material systems, right through to the enhancement and production of the finished surfaces. Nanogate focuses primarily on plastic and metal coatings for all surface types (two and three-dimensional components).

The Nanogate Group currently has approximately 250 employees in all and since commencing operations in 1999 has been a trailblazer in nanotechnology. The company has first-class customer references (e.g. Audi, BMW, Bosch-Siemens Haushaltsgeräte, Junkers, Kärcher, Hörmann Group, Opel and REWE International AG) and many years’ experience of different industries and applications. Several hundred projects have already gone into mass production. Nanogate has also entered into strategic cooperations with international companies such as the GEA Group and Dow Corning. Nanogate consists of Nanogate Industrial Solutions GmbH, Eurogard B.V., FNP GmbH for products in the sport/leisure sector, majority stakes in Holmenkol AG and GfO Gesellschaft für Oberflächentechnik AG, and an equity holding in sarastro GmbH.

Disclaimer:

This publication constitutes neither an offer to sell nor an invitation to buy securities. The shares in Nanogate AG (the "Shares") may not be offered or sold in the United States or to or for the account or benefit of "U.S. persons" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")). No offer or sale of transferable securities is being made to the public outside Germany.

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Cortent Kommunikation AG
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Liane Stieler-Joachim
Nanogate AG
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