CER Group For Further Acquisitions
Media Release
27 March 2007
Director Appointment Positions CER Group For Further Acquisitions
Statement made by Wayne Cartwright, Chairman, CER Group Limited
Robin Levison appointed non-executive Director
Specific remit to assess and deliver on CER Group’s
acquisition strategy
Proven track record of
delivering acquisition-driven growth
CER Group Ltd (CER) has today announced the appointment of Robin Levison to the position of non-executive Director.
Mr Levison has been asked to fulfill a specific remit, which is to assess and deliver on the CER Group’s acquisition strategy.
We believe he will play a critical role in the direction of the CER Group as we continue to build the momentum of the business. His role will be to assess and deliver acquisitions, both in New Zealand and Australia, which meet the Group’s criteria for investment and offer the necessary synergies with our current businesses.
He brings a significant track record of success to the Group, including his role as Managing Director at Australian Stock Exchange listed Industrea Ltd (IDL).
During Mr Levison’s two and a half year tenure at Industrea, the company has completed four (earnings per share positive) acquisitions, delivered shareholders a 75 fold increase in market capitilisation, 20 times increase in share price and full year profit guidance of $14.9m Net Profit Before Tax, compared with previously reported losses totaling $16.7m.
In recognition of this growth, Industrea was named in the BRW “Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies” in Australia, a performance that has led to Ord Minnett describing the results as “a remarkable turnaround”, while twice upgrading its stock rating.
Mr. Levison is a Chartered Accountant with post graduate qualifications from The University of Queensland and is a Graduate and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
The CER Group recently delivered its first operating profit, which was driven by strong performance from its 2005 acquisition of the New Zealand Nature Company and a marked upturn in revenues from the Certified Organics business.
The CER Group’s acquisition strategy will extend its position to businesses clustered distinctively across markets for natural products, organic products, support for human well-being and health, and products and services that contribute to environmental sustainability. These areas of business are growing rapidly on a global basis, and this growth is set to accelerate further. The CER Group corporate centre adds significant value to the businesses that comprise the Group, leading and guiding their development and establishing productive links between them.
We have significant growth momentum in our business, and the appointment of Mr. Levison further strengthens the Group, while opening the next chapter in our business as we complement the growth in our existing operations with a reasoned but aggressive acquisition strategy.
ENDS.