Inspired Energy acquires Simply Business Energy and KWH Consulting

inspiredenergyInspired Energy plc, a leading UK energy procurement consultant to UK corporates, has acquired Simply Business Energy Limited (“SBE”) and KWH Consulting Limited (“KWH”). The two businesses complement the Group’s EnergiSave division and will form part of an enlarged division providing SMEs with competitive energy contracts from a variety of suppliers and it is expected that the Acquisitions will be earnings neutral in the first full year post acquisition and earnings enhancing thereafter.

SBE is a relatively new company which has developed a fully automated, operational online quoting platform for SME customers who are looking to switch their energy supplier. It also has agreements in place with the majority of energy suppliers within the SME sector. The platform is expected to enhance the Group’s offering while also streamlining certain existing back office functions throughout the SME division.

KWH focuses on servicing mid-market SME clients, which complements EnergiSave’s existing service which has a focus on SMEs with 1 to 25 employees. In addition, KWH operates an umbrella broker scheme for British Gas and other energy suppliers, which will further accelerate the development of EnergiSave.

For KWH, Inspired Energy is paying £300,000 in cash, of which GBP50,000 is deferred until January 2015.

The SBE acquisition is a share deal. The initial consideration is comprises 2,000,000 shares in the Group. Then a second payment of up to £300,000 of shares in Inspired based on the financial performance of SBE for the years ended 31 March 2015 and 31 March 2016. In addition, the vendors will receive 5,000,000 share options with vesting criteria based on the financial performance of SBE for the years ended 31 March 2016 and 31 March 2017.

Commenting on the acquisition, Janet Thornton, Managing Director of Inspired, said: “Following the initial rapid growth we experienced with the launch of EnergiSave in mid 2013, this new business stream has delivered strongly for the business and we are delighted to have further strengthened our service offering for our growing SME customer base. These acquisitions complement the strong platform we have established this year and we looking forward to integrating their teams into the Inspired Group.”

UK, Kirkham, Lancashire & Worcester, Worcestershire

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Nielsen acquires Harris Interactive

harris-logo-newNielsen Holdings N.V., a  global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy, has completed the tender offer by Nielsen and its wholly owned subsidiary, Prime Acquisition Corp., to acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Harris Interactive, Inc., a global market research firm. Nielsen completed the acquisition of Harris through a merger under Delaware law.

Harris Interactive will be integrated into Nielsen’s Buy business segment, which provides information and insights to manufacturers and retailers that helps them make more informed and impactful business decisions. Nielsen will retain The Harris Poll® brand.

“Harris Interactive is a natural fit with Nielsen’s portfolio of solutions, as the organization shares Nielsen’s commitment to deliver robust and integrated insights to clients to drive business outcomes,” said John J. Lewis, President, Americas, Nielsen. “This acquisition enables deeper insights into consumer sentiment as well as what consumers are, watching and buying while also expanding our footprint with important industry verticals including pharmaceutical, automotive and financial services.”

USA, New York, NY & Rochester, NY

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YouGov acquires Hong Kong based market research company Decision Fuel

yougovYouGov plc, the online market research agency, has acquired Decision Fuel (“DF”). 

DF is a market research and technology company whose objective is to provide fast, high-quality research to the Asian market using online and especially, mobile-based, technology to reach consumers across the region.

YouGov will pay 6 times the EBITDA achieved by DF for the financial year ended 31 July 2016 and 2 times the EBITDA Decision-Fuelachieved for the financial year ended 31 July 2017. The EBITDA base to be used for FY 2017 is subject to a cap in that it may not exceed 150% of the FY 2016 EBITDA.  An initial payment of $ 1 million will be paid on completion to a group of minority shareholders who are not involved in the management of the business.  This will be deducted from any future earn-out payments.  The earn-out payments may be satisfied at YouGov’s option by cash or the issue of YouGov shares or a combination of the two. Based on YouGov’s business plans for DF, it currently expects the total consideration to be approximately £5 million. A maximum cap for contractual purposes has been set at £18 million.

In the year ended March 2013, DF made a loss of £460,000 before interest, depreciation and amortisation and had gross assets of £300,000 as at 31 March 2013.

DF has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore and its own proprietary platform for mobile-based research. DF was set-up in 2011 by two  buyers of research in the Asian region: Patrick Corr, formerly a senior executive with Star TV, the Asian TV network   and strategy firm Monitor, and Colin Marson, a former senior executive with Cerebos (part of Suntory) and strategy firm, Monitor. They will both continue to lead the business after it becomes part of the YouGov group. DF’s non-executive chairman is Adrian Chedore, the founder and former CEO of Synovate. Further funding since the company’s launch has been provided by a group of angel investors from the region.

DF’s business operates across Asia, conducting single and multi-country projects primarily in China and South-East Asia. It has already built a consumer panel of 60,000 across five countries where it offers an Omnibus style service.  Clients to date include global brands and media agencies.  DF currently has 14 staff most of whom are based in its Hong Kong base with business development teams located in Singapore and Shanghai. DF is licensed to operate in China through a WOFE (“wholly owned foreign enterprise “)

Following completion, DF will immediately adopt the YouGov brand and its integration will be overseen by YouGov’s Middle East management team, based in Dubai, which is managing the Group’s expansion to emerging markets.

Commenting on the acquisition, Stephan Shakespeare, CEO of YouGov, said:

“This acquisition meets our strategic objectives to increase further YouGov’s presence in high-growth markets.  Decision Fuel will help us to expand our Group’s business rapidly in the vital China and SE Asia markets that our clients are already asking us to serve. Decision Fuel’s mobile technology will also allow us to develop our mobile offering.  We are very pleased to add Decision Fuel to our growing global network.”

UK, London and Hong Kong

NUS Consulting Group acquires Enraedt in the Netherlands

EnraedtNUS Consulting Group, a global energy management solutions company, has acquired Enraedt & Partners B.V., a private company specialising in energy management, procurement and sustainability. Enraedt is based in Almere, the Netherlands.

“We are very pleased to welcome Enraedt into the NUS Consulting Group. This transaction fits our long-term strategy and commitment to growing NUS Consulting’s international coverage and service capabilities,” said Richard Soultanian, Co-President of NUS Consulting Group. As part of the transaction, Enraedt & Partners will change its name to NUS Consulting Group B.V. “Over the past decade, Enraedt has developed an excellent reputation in the Dutch energy markets. We will be combining Enraedt with our own Amsterdam office. Our goal is to create a single team that provides exceptional services and support to both NUS’s international clients as well as our local Dutch accounts,” said Allyn Rieke, General Manager for the Benelux region.

USA, Park Ridge, NJ & The Netherlands, Almere

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Progressive Digital Media Group acquires Pyramid Research from UBM

progressiveProgressive Digital Media Group the provider of business information to the consumer and technology markets, has acquired the business and trading assets of Pyramid Research, a leading  of business information and market analysis for the Information and Communications Technology industry, from UBM for a gross consideration of US$3.3 million in cash payable on completion. Completion, which is subject to UK employee consultation, is scheduled for 2 January 2014 and will be financed from the Group’s existing cash resources.

pyramidresearchFor nearly 25 years, Pyramid has been providing practical advice on market and service opportunities to leaders in the converged communications, media and technology industries. Pyramid’s market analysis is centred on detailed primary research complemented with insightful analysis and dynamic modelling tools.  Pyramid has offices in London, Boston and Argentina with subscribers located across the globe.

“Pyramid is well known to us and we are delighted that the opportunity has arisen for this business to join the Group”, said Simon Pyper, Chief Executive of Progressive Digital Media. “Pyramid has a well regarded brand name, a portfolio of high quality data assets and moreover, an expanding presence in some of the world’s fastest growing markets.”

Owing to the subscription nature of the business the acquisition is expected to be earnings neutral in the first full year of ownership and earnings accretive thereafter. The net assets to be acquired on completion are expected to be approximately US$0.3 million.

UK, London

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Dealflow.com acquires the assets of Goldfish.io

goldfishDealflow.com has acquired the assets of startup research business Goldfish.io, including its technology assets, its database of subscribers, and all trademarks and copyrights. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Our focus is on using live financial information from the social web to create research tools for evaluating investment opportunities,” said Steven Dresner, president of Dealflow.com. “Goldfish.io has been at the forefront of building early detection systems that identify potential company financings or other corporate events. We think the combination of the Goldfish.io technology with our own technology is a perfect fit.”

USA. Jericho, NY

Bglobal plc to sell its metering business

bglobalAs a result of a strategic review the board of Bglobal plc has decided to sell its metering business, B Global Metering Limited.

The company is also implementing a number of other actions including taking significant cost out of Bglobal’s head office and re-focusing the business on its customers and implementing strict cash management procedures.

The company does not intend to sell Utiligroup Limited the data management software publisher it bought for £11.59 million in August 2011.  The sale of the Bglobal company as a whole was being considered. However, this no longer the case and as a result, the company is no longer in an “offer period” for the purposes of the Takeover Code.

John Grant, Chairman, notes that: “Since 15 August 2013, I, the Board, the management team and employees of the Company have – with the assistance of KPMG LLP – been working hard to review the strategic direction of the Company. As a result, we have already taken a number of steps to improve the current performance of Bglobal, and have decided to explore whether shareholder value can be further maximised through the sale of the metering business as we believe that a third party may be better placed to take this business to the next phase of its development. I would like to thank the customers and employees of the Company for their support during this review period.”

UK, Darwen, Lancashire

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Experian acquires Passport Health Communications for $850M

Experian, the global information services company, is acquiring Passport Health Communications, a  provider of data, analytics and software in the US healthcare payments market. The purchase price is $850 million. 

Founded in 1996, Passport Health is a data and software provider, with sales to over 2,500 hospitals in the US and more than 9,000 other healthcare providers. Its products are used by healthcare providers to manage payments between patients, commercial payers (such as insurance companies) and government programmes.

Passport Health’s revenues  are largely subscription based. The business has renewal rates of c. 95% and average contract duration of 3 to 5 years. In the year ending 31 December 2013, Passport Health is expected to generate revenue of US$121m, representing organic growth of 23%, and EBIT of US$30m. In the year ending 31 December 2014, Experian expects Passport Health revenue to reach approximately US$145m (of which 84% is already booked and contracted), with EBIT margins in the high twenties.

Don Robert, Chief Executive Officer of Experian, said, “Since entering the US healthcare payments market five years ago, we have steadily expanded our position through both organic investment and acquisition, and our business is growing strongly. We are now taking the next step and the acquisition of Passport Health will make us a clear leader in this high growth and attractive market. With our newly combined product range, we will offer our clients in the US healthcare industry a competitive one-stop-shop to manage risk and to satisfy their payments requirements. We are excited about the growth opportunities created by this combination and we greatly look forward to welcoming our new Passport Health colleagues to Experian once the transaction completes.”

Experian entered the healthcare payments market in 2008, with the acquisition of SearchAmerica, which focused on helping hospitals to manage their billings and cash flows. Experian further consolidated its position in 2011 with the acquisition of Medical Present Value, which extended its client footprint into physician practices and clinics and added new capabilities in insurance claims. Subsequently, Experian merged the two businesses to create Experian Healthcare, which in the year ending 31 March 2014 is expected to generate revenue of US$75m, with organic revenue growth in the mid-teens.

UK, Nottingham & USA, Franklin, TN

Utilitywise – audited results for the year: Utilitywise – acquisition analysis

utilitywiseUtilitywise, a utility cost management consultancy, has announced final audited results for the year ended 31 July 2013. These include certain amendments to the Company’s Income Statement from that presented with the Company’s preliminary results issued on 15 October 2013. This has led to additional revenue of £430,595 being recognised within the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2013 with a consequential increase in profitability, There is no impact on the Company’s cash flows. For full details go the the London Stock Exchange announcement here.

The revenue and EBITDA adjustments to the 2013 income statement of the Company are as follows:

Revenue £24.83M prelims: £25.25M (audited)
EBITDA £7.39M prelims: £7.82M (audited)

Highlights

  • Like for like revenue growth up 61%.
  • Acquisitions of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Ltd, Aqua Veritas Consulting Ltd and Energy Information Centre Ltd.
  • 15,333 customers and 44,361 meters at 31 July (30 September 2012: 11,400 and 32,972 respectively) with additional 550 customers and 23,000 meters added through EIC.
  • £16.6 million of secured contracts waiting to go live as at 31 July ( 31 July 2012: £7.1 million – 30 September 2013 (post period) £18.2 million).
  • Proposed final dividend payment of 1.8p, making total dividend for the year of 2.6p.

Geoff Thompson, Chief Executive of Utilitywise, commented

“Our first full year as a plc has proved a very successful one. As well as delivering very strong organic growth we have been able to invest and build for the future. Integration of the three businesses that we acquired is progressing well and we have entered the new financial year with an improved suite of products and services to satisfy the wider energy needs of all businesses, regardless of size.

“The market in which we operate remains highly fragmented and we have still attracted only a very small percentage of our addressable market. Through our strong relationships with energy supply companies and our ability to identify customers and deliver the optimum solutions, we remain confident in the continued success of the Company.”

Read the full announcement here

Utilitywise Acquisition Analysis

1. Acquisition of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited

Utilitywise Plc acquired the entire share capital of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited on 1 October 2012 for £1,040,821 in order to enhance the service offering provided by the Group.

Consideration consisted of both cash payments and the issue of shares, an element of which is contingent on the performance of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited to 31 July 2013. Contingent consideration has been included as a best estimate of amounts payable.

Goodwill on consolidation has been calculated as follows:

  £
Amount of consideration 1,040,821
     
Fair value of net assets acquired:  
Property, plant and equipment   15,260
Receivables   122,289
Cash   159,152
Payables     (251,788)
Net assets   44,913
     
Goodwill   995,908
     

 

Consideration:  
Cash   355,821
Shares issued   300,000
Contingent consideration    

385,000

Total  consideration   1,040,821

The goodwill reflects expected synergies from combining the two businesses and is not tax deductible.

The total value of the contingent consideration is based on a multiple of expected EBITDA capped at £385,000. This is split equally between cash and shares.  All of the contingent consideration is included in trade and other payables as it meets the definition of a financial liability.

Since the date of acquisition Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited has generated revenue of £916,913 and a profit before tax of £203,999 which is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Assuming Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited was acquired at the beginning of the annual reporting period, group revenue would be £24,966,494 and profit before tax £6,053,067. 

The Group estimate costs incurred in relation to the transactions to be £49,403. These costs are included within exceptional items in the consolidated statement of total comprehensive income.

2. Acquisition of Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited

Utilitywise Plc acquired the entire share capital of Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited on 16 April 2013 for £2,161,677 in order to enhance the service offering provided by the Group.

Consideration consisted of both cash payments and the issue of shares, an element of which is contingent on the performance of Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited to 30 April 2014. Contingent consideration has been included as a best estimate of amounts payable.

Goodwill on consolidation has been calculated as follows:

  £
Amount of consideration 2,161,677
     
Fair value of net assets acquired:  
Customer related intangible assets    

443,000

Technology based intangible assets    

241,000

Property, plant and equipment   12,158
Receivables   349,011
Cash   15,361
Payables   (566,494)
Deferred tax liability   (136,800)
Net assets   357,236
     
Goodwill   1,804,441
     

 

Consideration:  
Cash   70,385
Liabilities settled   91,292
Contingent consideration    

2,000,000

Total consideration   2,161,677

 

Customer related intangible assets relate to customer relationships in place at the date of acquisition.

Technology related intangible assets relate to hardware design intellectual property.

The goodwill reflects the value of the workforce and expected synergies from combining the two businesses and is not tax deductible.

The total value of the contingent consideration is based on a multiple of expected EBITDA, capped at £4,000,000. This is split equally between cash and shares. All of the contingent consideration is included in trade and other payables as it meets the definition of a financial liability.

Since the date of acquisition Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited has generated revenue of £276,886 and a profit before tax of £168,198 which is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Assuming Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited was acquired at the beginning of the annual reporting period, group revenue would be £24,940,096 and profit before tax £5,844,453.

The Group estimate costs incurred in relation to the transactions to be £70,892. These costs are included within exceptional items in the consolidated statement of total comprehensive income.

3. Acquisition of Energy Information Centre Limited

Utilitywise Plc acquired the entire share capital of Energy Information Centre Limited on 3 July 2013 for £18,201,154 in order to enhance the service offering provided by the Group.

Consideration consisted of both cash payments and the issue of shares.

Goodwill on consolidation has been calculated as follows:

  £
Amount of consideration 18,201,154
     
Fair value of net assets acquired:  
Customer related intangible assets    

6,239,000

Intangible fixed assets   108,025
Property, plant and equipment   3,845,911
Investments   200
Receivables   1,094,239
Cash   3,008,473
Payables   (3,386,677)
Deferred tax liability   (1,247,800)
Net assets   9,661,371
     
Goodwill   8,539,783
     

 

Consideration:  
Cash   11,662,500
Shares issued   5,390,125
Deferred cash   1,148,529
Total consideration   18,201,154

Customer related intangible assets relate to customer relationships in place at the date of acquisition.

The goodwill reflects the value of the workforce and expected synergies from combining the two businesses and is not tax deductible.

Since the date of acquisition Energy Information Centre Limited has generated revenue of £531,444 and a profit before tax of £145,867 which is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Assuming Energy Information Centre Limited was acquired at the beginning of the annual reporting period, group revenue would be £31,108,691 and profit before tax £7,901,001.

The Group estimate costs incurred in relation to the transactions to be £786,131. Of this amount £317,833 relate to the issue of new shares to fund the acquisition and have subsequently been taken to the share premium reserve. The remaining costs are included within exceptional items in the consolidated statement of total comprehensive income.

UK, South Shields

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Utilitywise announces preliminary results for the year ended 31 July 2013

Utilitywise, a  utility cost management consultancy, has announced its unaudited preliminary results for the year ended 31 July 2013.

Financial Highlights

  •  Revenue: £24.83 million (£14.38 million in 2012) – plus 73%
  • Gross margin: 47.2% (43.1% in 2012)
  • EBITDA: £7.39 million (£3.86 million 2012) – plus 79%
  • Profit Before Tax: £6.98 million (£3.86 million in 2012) – plus 81%
  • Diluted EPS: 7.9p (5.4p in 2012) plus 46%
  • Proposed final dividend payment of 1.8p, making total dividend for the year of 2.6p

Further financial detail can be found on the company’s website http://www.utilitywise.com.

Acquisition activity

 

Operational Highlights

  • 15,333 customers and 44,361 meters at 31 July ( 30 September 2012: 11,400 and 32,972 respectively) with additional 550 customers and 23,000 meters added through EIC
  • £16.6 million of secured contracts waiting to go live as at 31 July ( 31 July 2012: £7.1 million)
  • Post Period –  £18.2 million of secured contracts waiting to go live as at 30 September 2013

·     Board of Directors strengthened with non-executive appointments of Jeremy Middleton and Jon Kempster

Geoff Thompson, Chief Executive of Utilitywise, commented, “Our first full year as a plc has proved a very successful one. As well as delivering very strong organic growth we have been able to invest and build for the future. Integration of the three businesses that we acquired is progressing well and we have entered the new financial year with an improved suite of products and services to satisfy the wider energy needs of all businesses, regardless of size.

“The market in which we operate remains highly fragmented and we have still attracted only a very small percentage of our addressable market. Through our strong relationships with energy supply companies and our ability to identify customers and deliver the optimum solutions, we remain confident in the continued success of the Company.”

Utilitywise has also a appointed to he Board of Jeremy Middleton, CBE and Jonathan ‘Jon’ Kempster as non-executive Directors, effective immediately.

Jeremy Middleton is an entrepreneur best known for having co-founded Homeserve PLC, the FTSE 250 international home emergency business where he remains on the executive committee.

Jon Kempster has held a number of PLC finance roles, most recently as Group Finance Director of Wincanton plc, the UK and Ireland logistics and distribution group.

UK, South Shields

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