PETALING JAYA: Unique Fire Holdings Bhd
(UFH) will use the funds raised to expand its manufacturing capabilities and expand its business geographically.
The ACE Market-bound fire protection systems maker and distributor will raise RM21.8mil from its initial public offering (IPO) from the public issue of 83.75 million new shares at an issue price of 26 sen a share.
“This listing exercise will help to elevate the group’s profile, enhance its credibility as well as visibility among the public, and to fund the future business plans,” said managing director Liew Sen Hoi in a statement yesterday.
UFH plans to allocate RM2.5mil to expand its manufacturing facilities by adding two new hand portable dry chemical fire extinguisher cylinder manufacturing lines, which will help increase its current 210,000 annual production capacity by 220%.
Some RM611.3mil will go towards expanding the company’s geographical coverage and operational capabilities while RM4.6mil will be set aside for working capital.
Liew noted demand for fire protection products has been increasing over the years.
UFH’s business was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic but its executive director Datuk Marcus Liew Kang Leong is positive the group can return to its pre-pandemic growth rates as the economy recovers.
UFH’s revenue in the nine-month period ended Dec 31, 2021 was RM53.87mil and net profit was RM4.41mil. Profit margin stood at 8.19%. The bulk of its revenue is from the domestic market. UFH exports to Hong Kong, Myanmar, Brunei and Cambodia but the contribution is relatively small.
The company is undertaking research and development on fire extinguishers in order to boost its revenue from international markets.
“Once we have British-standard certified fire extinguishers we will be able to export to most of the Commonwealth countries and we can see better growth following the IPO proceeds,” said Liew at the launch of UFH’s prospectus in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The company has been facing challenges such as higher steel prices since the first quarter of 2021.
“The increase in steel prices will affect our costs indirectly. We do monitor the steel prices monthly. Our good relationship with our suppliers allows us to be able to pass on cost to our customers of not more than 5% and allow us to stock up our inventory when the prices of steel are low,” added Liew.
UFH’s IPO entails a public issue of 83.8mil new shares and an offer for sale of 30 million existing shares at an offer price of 26 sen per share.
Some 20 million shares will be made available to the Malaysian public while eight million shares will be offered to its eligible directors, employees and individuals who have made contributions to its success.
Some 5.6 million shares will be sold to selected investors through private placement while 50 million shares will be set aside for bumiputra investors who have received approval from the International Trade and Industry Ministry through private placements.With an enlarged share capital of 400 million shares, UFH will have a market capitalisation of RM104mil upon listingon Aug 5. Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad is the principal adviser, sponsor, sole underwriter and placement agent for this IPO exercise.
