9th Nov 2012 08:02
9 November 2012
VMOTO LIMITED
ADMISSION TO AIM AND FIRST DAY OF DEALINGS
The Directors of Vmoto Limited ("Vmoto" or the "Company"), are pleased to announce that the Company's shares have today been admitted to trading on AIM.
Vmoto (ASX:VMT, AIM:VMT), is a global scooter manufacturing and distribution group specialising in high quality "green" electric powered scooters. The Company manufactures a range of western designed scooters from its low cost manufacturing facilities in Nanjing, China, marketed through its operation in Barcelona, Spain.
As part of the Admission, Vmoto has successfully raised £1.6 million through a placing by finnCap, as agent for the Company, of 121,075,002 new ordinary shares with institutional and other shareholders at a placing of 1.3 pence per share. The market capitalisation of the Company at the placing price on admission will be approximately £11.6 million. finnCap is acting as the Company's Nominated Adviser and Broker. On completion of the placing, Vmoto has an issued share capital of 896,087,712 ordinary shares.
Charles Chen, Managing Director of Vmoto, commented: "We have been delighted by the reaction to our AIM listing in London and are pleased to welcome a number of high quality UK institutions to our register. The funds we have raised will enable us to deliver on our existing opportunities in an expedient way, including ramping up PowerEagle production lines. We intend to make the most of the support shown by the London investment community to expand our marketing and sales operations in Europe to exploit the growing demand for electric scooters."
Olly Cairns, Non-Executive Director of Vmoto, commented: "The dual listing on AIM really compounds the turnaround year Vmoto has had. Without doubt there is good investment appetite for us in London which we will need to access as and when our pipeline of business expands. Vmoto has made fantastic progress in a rapidly growing market but this is just the beginning. Vmoto is already a leading electric scooter company in Europe and we intend to deliver value for money to our customers and solid returns to our shareholders."
Vmoto | |
Charles Chen, Managing Director Olly Cairns, Non-Executive Director | +61 (8) 9221 5313 +61 (8) 6267 9030 |
finnCap Ltd | +44 (0) 207 220 0500 |
Ed Frisby (corporate finance) Christopher Raggett (corporate finance) Tony Quirke (corporate broking) | |
Tavistock Communications | +44 (0) 207 920 3150 |
Simon Compton | |
John West |
Further information on Vmoto:
Introduction
Vmoto is a global scooter manufacturing and distribution group listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange and on the Australian Stock Exchange. The company specialises in high quality "green" electric powered scooters and manufactures a range of western designed electric (and some petrol) scooters from its low cost manufacturing facilities in Nanjing, China, marketed in Europe through its operation in Barcelona, Spain and marketed outside Europe through its operations in Australia. Vmoto combines low cost Chinese manufacturing capabilities with European design. The group operates through two primary brands: Vmoto (aimed at the value market in Asia) and E-Max (targeting the Western markets, with a premium end product). As well as operating under its own brands, the Company also sells to a number of customers on an original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") basis.
Products and Technology
Vmoto's product range primarily comprises zero emission, high power and long range electric scooters. The Company's battery usage technology allows a range of up to 100km with speeds of up to 70km/h. Vmoto uses both silicon and lithium batteries, including a portable model which can be recharged from mains electricity in as little as three hours, thereby overcoming many of the infrastructure recharging issues experienced by other electric vehicles. The Directors calculate that Vmoto's scooters also benefit from low running costs when compared with petrol scooters: electric scooters typically run for 100km from 5.7kwh (a cost of approximately €1.14) whereas a petrol scooter will run for the same distance on 4.5 litres of petrol (a cost of approximately €7.43). The Group's intellectual property includes a battery management technology which monitors and records the condition of the battery and maximises output/efficiency. The Group's branding also benefits from trademark protection.
Strategy for Growth
The Company is seeking to leverage its Western marketing system allied with its proven low cost Chinese manufacturing facility. The Directors believe that these strong foundations will allow the Company to be at the forefront of the "electric revolution". In particular, the Company's wholly owned manufacturing facility offers low cost production in a special economic and industrial zone for the manufacture of small vehicles. Nanjing, in which the facility is based, is located near a deep water container port and close to parts suppliers. The factory comprises a centralised production line and research and development lab. The Directors anticipate an annual production capacity of 150,000 to 300,000 scooters (depending on model) following the planned second stage of factory expansion.
Reasons for the Placing
The net proceeds of the Placing will be used by the Company to meet its current order book from existing customers, expand its product range, expand its distribution base across Europe and the rest of the world, increase its workforce, implement improved quality control measures, improve after sales service and complete the Stage 2 manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China.
- Ends -
Related Shares:
VMT.L