13 September 2006
Media Release
D&B Australasia has today confirmed media reports that it will be commencing a process to provide liquidity to the company's two largest shareholders - AMP Capital Investors and D&B Australasian management.
An Information Memorandum (IM) will be issued this week to interested parties. The outcome is expected to be announced before the end of 2006. The process will be managed by Beerworth Corporate Advisers.
The process has been part of D&B's business planning since 2001 when senior management led an MBO, underwritten by AMP Capital Investors (then AMP Henderson) who acquired a 77.5% stake in the company.
"A review of the strategic options available to D&B has been part of the business planning process since the MBO in 2001", said Ms Christine Christian, D&B Australasia CEO.
"For much of this time the anticipated outcome, internally and externally, was an IPO. However over the last 12 to 18 months a number of alternative options have been offered. The Board has elected to proceed with a sale, a process that will commence this week with the release of an Information Memorandum to registered parties."
Interested parties should contact Beerworth Corporate Advisers to register for the Information Memorandum.
Currently AMP Capital Investors hold a 77.5% stake in the company. D&B Australasia management holds a 20% stake, with the remaining 2.5% held by D&B International. D&B Australasia also holds a 51% stake in the D&B Consumer Credit Bureau, a joint venture with Macquarie Bank which holds the remaining 49% stake in the bureau.
For further information, or to arrange an interview please contact:
Jennifer Green
Media
Hill & Knowlton
02 9286 1225
About D&B
D&B is the world's leading provider of business-to-business credit, marketing and purchasing information and receivables management services. D&B manages the world's most valuable commercial database with information on more than 130 million companies.
Information is gathered in 193 countries, in 95 languages or dialects, covering 186 monetary currencies. The database is refreshed more than one million times daily as part of D&B's commitment to provide accurate, comprehensive information for its more than 150,000 customers.
The Australasian operations were bought out by the senior management group in August 2001. It was the first MBO of a wholly owned subsidiary in D&B's history worldwide.
Today Lazard Carnegie Wylie owns an approximate 90% stake in DBA and the local management team a 10% stake.
Strategies for future growth include developing DBA's commercial and consumer credit referencing business; expanding its receivables management outsourcing business; maintaining its lead in the development of unique credit and risk scoring products; and developing new products specifically tailored to the Australasian market. DBA currently employs over 500 people in Australia and New Zealand.
