Increase in Shareholding
March 18 2003 - 4:28AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:8533I
AGA Foodservice Group PLC
18 March 2003
18th March 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AGA FOODSERVICE INCREASES
SHAREHOLDING IN GRANGE TO 40%
Aga Foodservice has increased its interest in Grange, the Lyon based furniture
distributor and manufacturer, from 27 per cent to 40 per cent - which is to be
its long term shareholding position. The cost is an incremental Euros 2.7
million, bringing the total investment to Euros 8.4 million. Since the original
investment in September 2002 Grange:
* has become the manager of Aga's French distribution structure.
* has created an Aga/Fired Earth studio in its refurbished Marseille
store.
* is making its 10,000 sq ft central Lyon store into a flagship for
Grange/Aga/Fired Earth in France to be launched on 27th March 2003.
* is to supply a selected range of furniture to Fired Earth in the UK.
Grange has returned to profitability in recent months having made a loss in the
full year 2002 on turnover of Euros 59 million.
Dominique Mercier, who remains Grange's controlling shareholder said: "The
international potential of the Aga/Grange axis is tremendous and we look forward
to working with the Aga team and our existing distributor base in developing our
retailing model."
William McGrath, Chief Executive of Aga Foodservice said, "Grange provides the
framework for expansion for our continental consumer operations. The
compatibility of our brands and products creates exciting expansion
opportunities."
- ENDS -
Enquiries:
William McGrath, Chief Executive, Aga Foodservice Group - 0121 711 6015
Jonathan Glass, Brunswick Group - 020 7404 5959
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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