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Skanska has completed the acquisition of Argentine Construction Company Sade

3/8/1999 12:00 AM CET
Press release

Skanska has acquired 100 % of the shares of the Argentine construction company SADE Ingeniería y Construcciones S.A. for USD 60 million, or about SEK 480 million. An earn-out over the next three years will determine the final price for SADE.

PRESS RELEASE, MARCH 8, 1999                                  25/99

SKANSKA HAS COMPLETED THE ACQUISITION OF ARGENTINE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SADE

Skanska has acquired 100 % of the shares of the Argentine construction company SADE Ingeniería y Construcciones S.A. for USD 60 million, or about SEK 480 million. An earn-out over the next three years will determine the final price for SADE.

SADE is the second-largest construction company in Argentina with revenues of USD 370 million, approximately SEK 3 billion. Earnings after tax in 1998 were USD 10 million, or about SEK 80 million.

The seller is Perez Companc S.A., one of the largest companies listed on the Buenos Aires stock exchange.

"The acquisition of SADE provides us with local resources to further capitalize on the opportunities in South America," notes Claes Björk, President and CEO of Skanska AB. "Skanska has an excellent track record in South America - developed over the past 25 years - in hydropower and irrigation projects. A strong base in South America through the acquisition of SADE will provide additional business opportunities. We will be able to offer construction services not only to satisfy demand by local customers, but also to assist existing international customers who are expanding in South America. SADE is an attractive acquisition that fits well with Skanska's long-term strategy to expand its operations in South America. "

"The due diligence of SADE was very positive, it confirmed our expectations of Sade as a well managed company with growth potential," says Stuart Graham, President, Skanska USA where SADE's operations will be included.

"A company with the prestige and size of Skanska AB opens a new completing opportunity stage for SADE's family, encouraging its people to demonstrate they are capable of following-up the new intended pace of growth. Therefore, at SADE, we are very much enthusiastic and optimistic that we will be able to further develop our talent and full commitment that gave us our present leadership in the Argentine market", says Mario Piantoni, CEO of SADE.

Skanska's acquisition of SADE is in line with its established practice of acquiring customer- focused regional companies in an expanding market and with good management. Founded more than 50 years ago, SADE has had local operations with favorable profitability for many years. It currently has about 4,600 employees, with operations throughout South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Venezuela.

Skanska announced in January 1999 that it would acquire SADE together with a minority partner, Emepa S.A. However Skanska and Emepa were unable to reach a mutual agreement and accordingly, Skanska will acquire 100 % of SADE.
The seller, Perez Companc S.A., with revenues of USD 1.6 billion, conducts operations in the oil, petrochemical, energy, construction and telecom sectors. Perez Companc's sale of SADE is part of its efforts to focus its business on the energy sector.

Key figures SADE 1998:

MUSD
Net Sales 370
Operating Income: 16
Income after Financial Items: 13
Net Income after Taxes: 10
Total Assets: 213
Return on capital employed: 17%

Net Sales per Country:
  Argentina 290
  Brazil 5
  Chile 23
  Peru 9
  Venezuela 43

Number of employees 4.603 (December 31,1998)

 

Stockholm, March 8, 1999

SKANSKA AB
Corporate Communications

 


For further information, contact:
Lars Wiklander, Senior Vice President, Skanska AB (in Buenos Aires),
Tel +5411 4341 7111 or +5411 4315 9959
Stuart Graham, President, Skanska USA,
Tel +1 718 767 26 00
Cecilia Schön, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Skanska AB,
Tel: +46 8 753 87 99 or +46 70 553 87 99