Turners seeks almost 20% of MTF to cement relationship
By Jonathan Underhill
Sept. 14 (BusinessDesk) - Turners, the company formerly known as Dorchester Pacific, is offering to lift its holding in
Motor Trade Finances to almost 20 percent by buying shares at a premium, a move it says would reflect the business
relationship between the two firms.
A cash offer of $1.15 a share will be sent to MTF shareholders on Sept. 17, Turners said. The stock last traded on the
ShareMart system on Sept. 1 at 94 cents apiece and there are currently two offers to sell a combined 20,700 shares at
that price.
"Turners currently write around 10 percent of new loans originated through MTF with that percentage continuing to
increase in recent months," said chief executive Paul Byrnes. “We are making this offer to enable us to increase our
shareholding to better reflect our commitment to the MTF model. We expect our book to continue to grow. We would also
like to think our expertise in the wider financial services and insurance industries could bring value to the business
for the benefit of all shareholders."
The company currently holds 218,452 MTF shares, amounting to almost 1 percent of the stock. It would need support of the
target's board to acquire a fifth of the company, because MTF's constitution has restrictions on holdings above 10
percent.
Turners has been on a buying spree since recapitalising in 2010. It agreed to acquire Southern Finance for $5 million in
July, adding a South Island vehicle finance loan book, and has added businesses including Levin-based lender Oxford
Finance and Greenwich Life Insurance. Last year it acquired Turners Auctions for $82 million in cash, scrip and bonds,
and has changed its name to reflect its biggest purchase.
Byrnes said Turners would not allow its holding to reach 20 percent or more and it was "quite relaxed about the final
shareholding we finish up with". It didn't plan to raise its offer.
"We believe our offer provides an attractive opportunity for MTF shareholders who wish to sell their ordinary shares,
given liquidity for those shares can be limited," he said.
Acquisitions helped Turners double profit in the 12 months ended March 31 to $18.1 million. Its shares last traded at 28
cents, valuing the company at $177 million. They have gained 155 percent in the past five years, outpacing a 76 percent
advance in the S/NZX 50 Index.
(BusinessDesk)