B3 Cable Solutions (B3)(www.b3cables.co.uk) today announced they have entered into exclusive negotiations with Nexans (www.nexans.com) to purchase their telecommunications and railway signalling cable business in Santander, Spain. The deal is expected to complete at the end of Quarter 1 2008, subject to due diligence and finalisation of the necessary agreements and approvals. On completion B3 will become the third largest manufacturer of metallic telecommunication cable in the world and the largest outside the USA market.
This deal would represent the fourth acquisition by the Group since the beginning of 2006 and makes B3 the fastest growing cable manufacturer in the world. This acquisition follows hard on the heels of the B3’s announcement in November 2007 that it had agreed to purchase UM Cables Ltd, one of India’s leading manufacturers of optical fibre and copper telecom cables employing 140 people and with a turnover of $60M. The Manchester and Ireland acquisitions carried out in 2006 were the first milestones in B3’s strategy of building a successful company through a combination of organic growth and acquisition.
The modern and well equipped operation in Santander serves high profile telecommunications companies across mainland Europe. It employs approximately 340 people for 75M€ of turnover and 29M€of capital employed. Significantly for B3, the business also has an impressive rail company client list and the acquisition of the business will enable B3 to further grow its market share in the rail cabling sector.
Steve Ellis, Managing Director at B3 is excited by this acquisition, “The acquisition of the Santander business is a significant development for the Group and further demonstrates our commitment to growth through selective acquisition. Our UK and Ireland operations are established as service providers to energy and telecommunications businesses in the UK, this acquisition will strengthen and expand our customer base across mainland Europe. It is also strategically important to us as it further diversifies our addressable markets through Santander’s strong position in the railways signalling market.”
B3 will make a further announcement upon of completion of the sale.
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Notes to Editors:
B3 Cable Solutions
www.b3cables.com
B3 Cable Solutions delivers world-class cable products and supply solutions to the global telecommunications, energy and rail infrastructure markets.
The company operates world-class cable manufacturing facilities in the UK and Ireland. B3 Cable Solutions works in partnership with its customers and stakeholders to deliver cost-effective products alongside supply and logistic solutions that are tailored to the needs of individual customers. This combination of capabilities is unique.
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Client Contact: Steve Ellis, Managing Director Tel: 0161 740 9151 Email: steve.ellis@b3cables.co.uk |
Agency Contact: Catherine Dhanjal, TheAnswer Ltd Tel: 01883 650434 or 0794 166 9925 Email: catherine.dhanjal@theansweruk.com
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