SKP Resources to buy Tecnic to create major plastic parts maker?

PETALING JAYA: Low-profile Datuk Gan Kim Huat is consolidating his businesses in two listed companies, SKP Resources Bhd and Tecnic Group Bhd, in a move that will pave the way for the establishment of a major plastic parts manufacturer.

Yesterday, the share prices of SKP and Tecnic climbed to all-time highs of 71 sen and RM5.08, respectively, before both stocks were suspended, “pending a material announcement”.

It is learnt that the merger and acquisition exercise could involve cash and the issuance of new SKP shares.

Gan and his family own about 67% in SKP and 69% in Tecnic, formerly known as STS Tecnic Bhd.

“It’s a move that the Gan family has been looking at for some time to create an entity with economies of scale. A merger can be synergistic for the two companies, which can lead to accretive earnings going forward,” said a source.

SKP, which has been on expansion mode over the past few years, is in the business of manufacturing plastic parts and components, contract manufacturing, precision mould making, the sub-assembly of electronic and electrical equipment and other secondary processes.

For the financial year ended March 31, 2013 (FY13), British electrical appliance brand Dyson contributed 55% to SKP’s total sales.

According to SKP’s website, its other clients include Hewlett-Packard, Sharp, Flextronics and Pioneer.

Tecnic, meanwhile, is involved in plastic moulding design and fabrication, plastic injection and blow moulding for the automotive, electrical and electronic sectors as well as industrial consumable products. It counts Valeo, Sharp, Panasonic, Denso, Suzuki, Proton and Perodua as its clients.

SKP and Tecnic had cash and cash equivalents of RM19.4mil and RM25.7mil, respectively, as at June 30. However, SKP has seen a higher trading volume in recent months, while Tecnic is a relatively tightly held stock.

In an earlier note, RHB Research said SKP could achieve a two-year earnings compounded annual growth rate of 57.9% on the back of a 75% expansion in capacity to cater to increasing orders from Dyson.

SKP has a new plant in Senai, Johor, which is slated for completion next month and achieve full-scale operations by FY17, Kenanga Research said in a separate report.

The research house noted that SKP’s stronger order-book, underpinned by orders from Dyson to manufacture two new product lines for vacuum cleaners and fans, will provide earnings visibility for the next few years.

“The new products are next-generation appliances that will be able to fetch higher margins and contribute to the group’s earnings. We understand that a major part of the group’s new plant will cater to the production of the two new products,” it added.

SKP jumped 10.5 sen to 71 sen, with 38.37 million shares being traded.

Tecnic rose 31 sen, or 6.5%, to RM5.08, with 219,500 shares changing hands.