logo
Australian firm makes bid to buy Tourism Holdings, values company at over $500m

Australian firm makes bid to buy Tourism Holdings, values company at over $500m

RNZ Newsa day ago

The offer of $2.30 per share to acquire all shares valued THL at $508.5 million.
Photo:
Unsplash / Lawton Cook
Campervan company Tourism Holdings (THL) has received an acquisition offer from across the Tasman, valuing the company at more than half-a-billion dollars.
The non-binding, unsolicited offer was from a consortium of Australian private equity firm BGH Capital, THL executive director Luke Trouchet and his brother Karl.
The Trouchet brothers were involved with Australian campervan firm Apollo Tourism & Leisure, which
merged with THL in 2022
.
The offer of $2.30 per share to acquire all shares valued THL at $508.5 million, and THL said the offer on the table was either by way of a scheme of arrangement or via the Takeovers Code.
THL's share price closed at $1.46 on Friday and was down 53 cents so far this year.
It was also revealed that BGH had acquired just under 20 percent of THL's shares on issue.
The proposal came amid a challenging period for THL - in February, the company revealed a half-year result which saw its
after-tax profit fall 36 percent to $25.3m
.
In response to the offer, THL said it was "very aware" of its recent performance.
"[The performance] has been largely influenced by factors beyond the company's control, such as the impact of poor consumer confidence on the demand for recreational vehicles, and recent geopolitical and tariff developments impacting travel sentiment," it said.
THL said given Luke Trouchet's involvement in the consortium with BGH, he had taken a leave of absence from his executive role with THL.
It said the offer was subject to certain conditions, including due diligence, finalisation of debt arrangements, and BGH receiving final approval from its in-house review committee.
THL said shareholders did not need to take any action in relation to the offer, and the board would update the market about developments.
"The board will act in what it considers to be the best interests of the company and its shareholders."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter
curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bay of Islands cruise ship numbers set to plummet
Bay of Islands cruise ship numbers set to plummet

RNZ News

time38 minutes ago

  • RNZ News

Bay of Islands cruise ship numbers set to plummet

Cruise ships feature prominently in the Bay of Islands tourist scene over summer. Photo: NZME The Bay of Islands $23.34 million cruise ship industry will be hit hard next season with the number of visiting ships set to plummet. Bookings for the tourist mecca's 2025/2026 cruise season have almost halved from the peak two years ago. A cruise ship representative blamed the decline on a number of factors affecting New Zealand's cruise industry, including tougher biofouling rules along with compounding cost increases from central government, ports and regional authorities. There are just 47 cruise ships scheduled to visit the Bay of Islands for the coming season. This compares with 92 cruise ships booked for the peak 2023/2024 season. The coming season's numbers have reinforced the annual bookings decline in the Bay of Islands since the peak. Bookings for the 2024/2025 season were almost 20 percent down on 2023/2024. Seventy-four ships were booked. New Zealand Cruise Association chairperson Tansy Tompkins said the drop in numbers had many in the industry deeply concerned about the future. "New Zealand's booking momentum, has slowed significantly, and while final itineraries are still being confirmed, current projections indicate a major downturn," Tompkins said. The decline from the peak was "sobering", Tompkins said. She said the forecast for the coming season put New Zealand back to 2017/2018 season levels. Tompkins said the risk of cruise ships being refused entry into New Zealand because of dirty hulls was one of several key reasons for the decline. The risk threatened New Zealand cruise ship destination brand. Tougher biofouling rules for visiting cruise ships came into force for the Bay of Islands and the rest of New Zealand in October 2023, just as the 2023/2024 season got underway. Eighty-seven cruise ships arrived in Bay of Islands' 2023/2024 season - meaning five vessels did not turn up. Four cruise ships did not turn up in the 2024/2025 season - including the last two for the season due on 30 May - due to weather, according to Far North Holdings chief operating officer Robert Binney. All cruise ships entering New Zealand must have no more than a thin layer of slime and goose barnacles on their hulls when they arrive. Biofouling can introduce foreign marine species. These can threaten the environment, economy, and cultural values. It happens when too much sea life - including foreign algae, barnacles and other marine growth and may include shrimps and crabs - builds up on ship hulls. Tompkins said unpredictability around the introduction of new regulations also contributed to the decline. Cruise companies had to deal with the outcome of this when passengers booked up to two years in advance. And New Zealand was now the world's most expensive place for cruise ships to visit with significant compounding cost increases including from central government, ports and regional authorities. This was putting New Zealand at a competitive disadvantage. She said senior cruise line executives had a perception New Zealand was difficult to operate in and an unwelcoming destination. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

Du Val directors Kenyon and Charlotte Clarke want assets unfrozen and passports back
Du Val directors Kenyon and Charlotte Clarke want assets unfrozen and passports back

RNZ News

timean hour ago

  • RNZ News

Du Val directors Kenyon and Charlotte Clarke want assets unfrozen and passports back

Du Val director Kenyon Clarke. Photo: The Financial Markets Authority has hit back at claims by Du Val directors that it is to blame for the "train wreck" collapse of the property group. Lawyers for the authority and for Du Val's directors Kenyon and Charlotte Clarke have been in the High Court at Auckland this week, arguing about whether receivership should continue for the couple and the handful of Du Val companies not in statutory management. The Clarkes want to be out of receivership, their assets unfrozen and their passports returned from the control of the High Court. Their lawyer Ron Mansfield said receivership orders were "excessively broad" and oppressive and should end. The FMA had had months to investigate but had not come up with any solid evidence - and the Clarkes claim it was the FMA action that cause the train wreck, he said. However, FMA lawyer Jenny Cooper said that claim could not go unanswered. "It is assertion without substance," she said. The FMA had good grounds to step in and to keep investigating because the investigation was a complex one that would take time, she said. The Clarkes could speed it up by being more open with receivers and investigators, she said. A court directive to force the Clarkes to be interviewed by receivers under oath about their assets was currently being heard by the Court of Appeal. Cooper noted the very complex and large company structure of about 70 entities. "The Clarkes are not people who have straightforward accounting arrangements," she said. The receivership and associated orders were still needed because there was an ongoing investigation into the group, Cooper said The FMA presented evidence about why that should continue but much of it was suppressed so it would not prejudice any civil or criminal action that could follow. Justice Jane Anderson also noted the FMA was still in an investigation phase and the Clarkes had not had a chance to respond - and were not in a position to because of a lack of information. The FMA did not have to prove any wrongdoing at this hearing, just that there was enough evidence to show more investigation was needed and the receivership should stay. Most of the arguments about why the Clarkes should or should not get their passports back were also suppressed. Justice Anderson had initially allowed the argument to be reported, but Mansfield was seeking leave to appeal. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

How it happened: Fire at New World supermarket in Auckland's Freemans Bay
How it happened: Fire at New World supermarket in Auckland's Freemans Bay

RNZ News

time3 hours ago

  • RNZ News

How it happened: Fire at New World supermarket in Auckland's Freemans Bay

A fire at a central Auckland supermarket under renovation has been contained but is still not out. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says the fire at the New World on College Hill was a significant event. He says it started in a rebuild area but could not confirm the cause. He says the store is a very important location for Foodstuffs. He says the value of stock loss is unknown but staff will be looked after and most customers have been reunited with their undamaged cars. There were 20 fire trucks at the peak of the blaze, which started in the mezzanine roof space and spread inside to aisles. Fire and Emergency says the blaze is under control and crews remain at the scene dampening down hotspots. Read our liveblog to see how the day unfolded Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store