Mercer first half loss widens, eyes split of remaining units
By Paul McBeth
Feb. 29 (BusinessDesk) - Mercer Group, the stainless steel fabricator and manufacturer, reported a wider first-half loss
as it restructured the business and sold unprofitable units, and plans to split up its remaining two divisions.
The Auckland-based company posted a net loss after minorities of $4.5 million, or 1.43 cents per share, in the six
months ended Dec. 31, from $36,000, or 0.01 cents, a year earlier, it said in a statement. The latest loss included a
$2.1 million restructuring cost and a $1.5 million deficit from the medical and interiors divisions, leaving it with a
stainless steel fabrication unit and a technologies segment aiming to bring its S-Clave sterilisation product to market.
Mercer now wants to split those two remaining divisions into separate entities, saying they have different capital and
resource requirements.
"We are currently exploring options for both business units with a view to maximising shareholder value and allowing the
businesses to execute on their own potential," the company said. "Options being considered include the sale of the
S-Clave into a new entity with new capital being raised to fund it, potentially in Australia, and the possible sale of
the stainless steel division."
The shares dropped 13 percent, or 0.6 of a cent, to 4 cents, valuing the company at $12.5 million.
The directors noted there was a "material uncertainty" as to Mercer's ability to continue as a going concern over
whether Bank of New Zealand will continue to provide the required funding.
Splitting the businesses is expected to release capital to reduce its current debt, with $2.7 million overdrawn bank
account and $8.5 million of borrowings as at Dec. 31. That includes $1 million owed to substantial shareholder Humphrey
Rolleston's Gresham Finance, which comes due in July this year.
"In the short-term we continue to have the support of the BNZ and Gresham Finance," Mercer said.
The company is also considering its options for two properties worth $5.7 million, one of which is subject to a material
earthquake claim expected to be completed within the next three months, it said.
(BusinessDesk)