Bonds Check: Katjes International - supposedly strong brand but weak margins
High oversubscription and premature termination of the subscription period is probably
Starting Monday, 4 July, the corporate bond will be drawn. With a term of five years, the coupon is 7.125%. Because of the well known brand name and the comparatively low emission volume is of high demand and likely an early termination of the subscription period. Company The Katjes International GmbH & Co. KG is according to the company together with its sister company Katjes Fassin GmbH + Co. KG (Katjes Germany) part Katjes the group. Strictly speaking, the companies have, however, virtually nothing in common, Katjes International is not Katjes, but a foreign acquisition vehicle of Katjes shareholders. Katjes International has stakes in the sugar confectionery producers Lamy Lutti (France) and the licorice manufacturer Festivaldi (Netherlands). Lamy Lutti is the second largest manufacturer of fruit gums, candies and chewing gum in France. The products are marketed under its own brands as well as private label customers. Lamy Lutti is not incompatible with Katjes (Germany) are comparable. Katjes is, however, for products with yogurt, Lutti is significantly stronger in acidic fruit gums (which are not produced by Katjes). Festivaldi is a manufacturer of licorice sold in Holland under the brand "Harlekijntjes." Business In 2010, the most important contribution Lamy Lutti a turnover of approximately € 106 million with an EBITDA of approximately € 3.6 million. The EBT was negative at -0.2 million euros. Since starting the International Katjes in 2009, sales (less than 100 million € in 2008) and EBITDA (negative in 2008) of the group are significantly increased. Medium term, the Lamy Lutti be brought back to a standard industry EBITDA margin of approximately 10%.
Synergies, the company sees synergies in purchasing both, as well as the production and distribution. The synergies are believable and understandable. Have been at Lamy Lutti already sour gummi bears the mark Ahoj Brause (which belongs to Katjes Germany). These were part of a promotional campaign recently sold at discounters Netto, further action is imminent at Aldi. Festivaldi began in the first quarter of 2011 to have in order to produce fruit gum production Katjes from Germany. In addition, Festivaldi alongside liquorice and fruit gums as a second product group introduced into the market. funds target by Katjes International is to acquire strong brands and organic growth of established brands, market position, focusing on Western Europe even further. The capital from the bond issue will the financing of the purchase price for the planned acquisition of the remaining 33.33% stake in the A-HVS BV (Lamy Lutti) and serve to further acquisitions. Katjes International has a right to call the remaining 1 / 3 of shares in Lamy Lutti, which can be exercised exclusively within certain periods in 2011. In addition to the repayment of one or more of the Lamy Lutti occur Group granted shareholder loans and any loans to subsidiaries and affiliates are granted. Strengths: -. Katjes International has in France and the Benelux countries have strong brands - synergies with the real "Katjes" are clearly visible . Weaknesses: -. So far, very weak margins . - High degree of transparency Conclusion: Katjes International has with Lamy Lutti and Festivaldi on known confectionery manufacturer in France and Benelux. The company has the same rating and same coupon as Underberg. Because of the figures appears the BB + rating by Creditreform only limited credibility. Investors must be aware that the issuer does not "Katjes", but only its name. Synergies between the companies and Katjes Germany are obvious. For issuers, there are limited numbers, the management has in the press conference announcing the target of an EBITDA margin of 10% to be achieved during the term of the bond. Comparative figures of similar established Katjes Germany that could show the potential, are present at all. The emission accompanying IKB, presented in contrast to their previous transactions, and institutional investors do not plan numbers. Overall, the company is very transparent. Because of the supposedly strong brand name and low emission volume is of high demand and likely premature closure of the issue. The high demand leads to bonds issued by manufacturers of branded products to ensure that there is much more interesting bonds from the spectrum of companies with less well-known brand. The Prospectus can in the " prospectuses ", the Rating Summary under the heading" Ratings are available. " Christian Schiffmacher of the transaction:
Issuer: Katjes International
Coupon: 7.125%
subscription period: 04.07.-07.15.2011
listing: 7/19/2011
Runtime: 18.07 .2016
Denomination: EUR 1,000
corporate credit rating: BB + (by Creditreform Rating)
Listing: SME market, Dusseldorf Stock Exchange
Symbol: A1KRBM
covenants: change of control (change of control), negative obligation (Negative pledge) Other: Premature termination rights of the Issuer to 102% on 19/07/2014 or at 101% on 07/19/2015