28 Mar 2013

Hellaby taps investors for $50m

8:07 am on 28 March 2013

Hellaby Holdings is seeking to raise $50 million to help fund future acquisition plans.

The investment company tapped institutional investors for $40 million and sought seek another $10 million from existing shareholders.

It says the placement was well received by a range of institutional investors in New Zealand, with 13 million shares to be issued at a price of $3 each.

Shareholders can subscribe for up to $15,000 worth of shares.

Chief executive John Williamson says the company needs the financial flexibility for growth and broadening the shareholder register is also important.

"We have to date had a very small base of institutional investors and the purpose of this placement was to broaden that institutional support."

Hellaby Holdings owns footwear packaging, automotive and equipment businesses.

It will pay $73 million for a controlling stake in industrial services firm Contract Resources but says the funds raised will not be used for that.

After a temporary trading halt was lifted shares in Hellaby Holdings fell 1% to $3.25 on Wednesday.