New Straits Times - Tropicana Buys 6 Firms For RM1.85b
TROPICANA Corp Bhd signed a dozen deals to buy property companies for a combined RM1.85 billion, on the day its founder Tan Sri Danny Tan Chee Sing returned to helm the property developer after a 3 1/2 year hiatus.
Tropicana said it had signed 12 sales and purchase agreements to buy 100 per cent stakes in GP Group, DL Group, TK Group and Acehub Fortune Sdn Bhd, as well as 70 per cent of Suasana Metro Sdn Bhd and 49.9 per cent of Peluang Duta Sdn Bhd.
The acquired companies ovi'n 451.99ha in the Klang Valley and Johor, with potential gross development value (GDV) of RM24.82 billion.
The RM1.85 billion pricing represented a 17.9 per cent discount of the land's indicative market value, said Tropicana yesterday,
Of the price, RM343.7 million will be paid via an issuance of 286.5 million new redeemable convertible preference shares (RCPS) in Tropicana at RM1.20 each, while RM1.51 billion will be satisfied via cash amounting to RM247.1 million, issuance of 823.7 million of Tropicana RCPS at RM1.20 each and assumption of Tan's bank borrowings of RM271.8 million.
Additionally, Tropicana announced that it had signed memoranda of understanding to negotiate the terms of the proposed collaborations with several parties to jointly develop their land.
It will work with Cenang Resort Sdn Bhd tojointiy develop the land at Pantai Cenang in Langkawi, Sinaran Ramah Sdn Bhd for the land in Pulau Rebak Kechik, Pantai Kok Resort Development Sdn Bhd for the land at Pantai Kok and Suci Padu Sdn Bhd and Ibarat Indah Sdn Bhd for the land Pokan Nenas in Johor.
Collectively, the land spans 537.73ha with total GDV of RM6.7 billionOn the same day, Tropicana announced the return of Tan as executive vice-chairman. Tan, who has a 63.56 per cent stake in Tropicana, had in June 2015 announced his retirement from the day-to-day management of the company he founded in 1979.
Tropicana also announced the redesignation of Top Glove Corp Bhd founder and executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai from non-executive deputy chairman to non-executive chairman.
"Lim and Ian have been outstanding leaders and proven successful entrepreneurs. We are delighted to be able to tap into these great minds directing us into the next growth stage. Their extensive experience will be instrumental in driving the continued development of the group " said Tropicana.
Tan said through the corporate exercises, Tropicana had added strategic landbank, making it a total of 908.09ha with the combined GDV of RM71.42 billion, "Through the proposed collaborations, Tropicana has access to a further 537.73ha with a GDV of RM6.76 billion. Thus, this month will be the right time for me to return and pursue a full-time role " he added.
