Murray & Roberts successfully concludes disposal of its manufacturing businesses enabling its strategic growth plan

28 June 2013

Johannesburg - 28 June 2013 - Murray & Roberts is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the disposal of its Construction Products Africa operating platform (excluding Hall Longmore), comprising the Group's manufacturing businesses. The group of businesses includes Much Asphalt, Rocla, Technicrete and Ocon Brick. The total cash consideration to be received in respect of the transaction is approximately R1 325 million before transaction costs. Negotiations with potential buyers for the sale of the Hall Longmore business are ongoing and shareholders will be advised in due course of the outcome thereof.

Henry Laas, group chief executive comments: "We are very pleased with the value achieved through this disposal process and we believe the market will share our sentiment. There was limited strategic fit between these businesses and Murray & Roberts' future growth aspirations in engineering and construction. Divesting from the manufacturing businesses allows Murray & Roberts to reduce debt (excluding certain asset-based finance) on its South African balance sheet and invest in those market sectors and geographies that present the best long-term financial growth potential to shareholders."

Much Asphalt was sold to a consortium comprising Capitalworks and certain senior management and executives of Much Asphalt. The Ocon Brick, Technicrete and Rocla businesses were sold to a consortium comprising of Capitalworks, RMB Ventures and certain senior management and executives of the businesses being sold.

These disposals follow the successful conclusion of the disposal of the Steel Business in 2012 and Union Carriage & Wagon (UCW) early in 2013. As per the respective sale agreements, partial proceeds have been received on both transactions.

"The successful conclusion of these disposals will support the Group in working towards  its vision to be the leading diversified engineering and construction Group in the global underground mining market and in the natural resources and infrastructure sectors in selected emerging markets by 2020", Laas concluded. 

For further information contact:
Mr Ed Jardim
Group Communications Executive
Mobile +27 (0) 83 357 6282
e-mail: eduard.jardim@murrob.com

Murray & Roberts Client Service
Tel: +27 (0)11 456 1144
Fax: +27 (0)86 637 0113
e-mail: clientservice@murrob.com

About Murray & Roberts:

Murray & Roberts is a leading South African engineering, contracting and construction services company. It has created employment, developed skills, applied technology and delivered infrastructure since 1902.

The company offers civil, mechanical, electrical, mining and process engineering; general building, construction and infrastructure development services in the global underground mining market and selected emerging markets in the natural resources and infrastructure sectors.

The company operates in Southern Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australasia and North and South America. The company is based in Johannesburg South Africa, where it has a public listing on the JSE Limited.

Murray & Roberts is a group of world-class companies and brands aligned to the same purpose and vision, and guided by the same set of values.

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