Judges Scientific PlcLSE: JDG

Acquisition of minority shareholding in Bordeaux

· Issued by Judges Scientific Plc

Press Release

27 June 2022

Judges Scientific plc

  ("Judges Scientific", "Judges", the "Company" or the "Group")

 Acquisition of the minority shareholding in Bordeaux Acquisition Limited

Judges Scientific, a  group focused on acquiring and developing companies  in the scientific instrument sector, announces that it has acquired the remaining minority interest in its majority owned subsidiary Bordeaux Acquisition Limited ("Bordeaux") bringing the Group's shareholding from 88% to 100%.

In 2011, Judges purchased Deben UK Limited through Bordeaux, a newly created buy-out vehicle; Bordeaux was owned by Judges (51%) and the Deben UK vendors (49%). In 2017, Bordeaux acquired Oxford Cryosystems Limited and Judges increased its stake to 75.5%; this was increased to 88% in February 2021.

Judges has now purchased the final 12% of Bordeaux's issued share capital for a consideration of 2.1m, based on an enterprise value of 12.6m for 100% of Bordeaux plus excess cash. In 2021, Bordeaux generated 2.7m adjusted EBIT. £2m of the consideration will be settled through the issue of 29,197 new Judges ordinary shares (the "New Ordinary Shares") issued at a price of £68.50 per share, equal to the mid-market price at close of business on Friday 24 June 2022, with the balance paid in cash. Application for admission of the new Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM has been made and dealing in the new Ordinary Shares is expected to commence at 8.00 a.m. on 30 June 2022. The new Ordinary Shares will rank pari-passu with the Company's existing issued ordinary shares.

The Board of Judges expects the transaction to be immediately earnings enhancing for the Group. 

For further information please contact:

Judges Scientific

David Cicurel, CEO

Brad Ormsby, Group FD

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3829 6970

Shore Capital (Nominated Adviser & Broker)

Stephane Auton

Iain Sexton

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7408 4090

Liberum (Joint Broker)

Edward Mansfield

William Hall

Media enquiries:

Alma PR (Financial Public Relations)

Tel : +44 (0) 20 3100 2222

Sam Modlin

Justine James

Joe Pederzolli

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3405 0205

judges@almapr.co.uk

Notes to editors:

Judges Scientific plc (AIM: JDG), is a group focused on acquiring and developing companies in the scientific instrument sector.  The Group now consists of 20 businesses acquired since 2005.

The acquired companies are primarily UK-based with products sold worldwide to a diverse range of markets including: higher education institutions, scientific research facilities, manufacturers and regulatory authorities.  The UK is a recognised centre of excellence for scientific instruments.  The Group has received five Queen's Awards for innovation and export. 

The Group's companies predominantly operate in global niche markets, with long term growth fundamentals and resilient margins.

Judges Scientific maintains a policy of selectively acquiring businesses that generate sustainable profits and cash.  Shareholder returns are created through the reduction of debt, organic growth and dividends. 

For further information, please visit  www.judges.uk.com