June 9, 2016

 

KKR to invest US$81.2 million for 10.44% interest in PT Japfa Tbk

 

Leading agri-food company, Japfa Ltd and its subsidiaries have announced that global investment firm KKR will invest approximately US$81.2 million for a10.44% interest in the Group's major subsidiary, PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk ("PT Japfa Tbk").

 

PT Japfa Tbk will place out 750.0 million new shares to KKR via a private placement at approximately US$52.9 million. Concurrent with the private placement, Japfa will sell 441.7 million shares in PT Japfa Tbk to KKR for an estimated sum of US$28.3 million.

 

Commenting on the sale of its shares in PT Japfa Tbk, Tan Yong Nang, CEO of Japfa, said: "We are pleased to welcome KKR as a significant shareholder of our major subsidiary. We believe PT Japfa Tbk will benefit from KKR's deep knowledge and experience in the agriculture and food sector, and its long-term investment thesis of promoting and enhancing the availability of safe and healthy food. We look forward to deepening our partnership with KKR in the future."

 

Ming Lu, Co-Head of Asia Private Equity at KKR, said: "We see a great opportunity for Indonesia's poultry market given the country's rising middle class, favorable    urbanisation trends   and increasing protein consumption. Japfa is the right partner with which to capture these opportunities given its leading market position, experienced management team and strong focus on food safety."

 

"Indonesia holds tremendous opportunity given its dynamic economy, favorable demographic trends, and rising GOP per capita. The market is on track to be one of the top-10 global economies within the next 15 years. KKR is committed to investing in the market and providing capital solutions to strong partners like Japfa," Jaka Prasetya, managing director at KKR Asia, added.

 

KKR has been investing in and providing financial solutions to companies in Indonesia since 2013. Other activities in Indonesia include investments from KKR-backed Mandala Energy - a Southeast Asia-focused oil and gas exploration and production company- and an investment in Tiga Pilar Sejahtera Food, one of Indonesia's leading food businesses.

 

The private placement and share sale transactions are part of an overall strategy to introduce fresh equity funding to strengthen the balance sheet of the Group. The KKR Investment Package will improve the leverage ratio of PT Japfa Tbk and the Group.

 

In addition,Japfa will record a capital gain of approximately  US$21.2 million from the sale of its shares in PT Japfa Tbk.

 

KKR's investment is made from its Asian Fund II and marks its first direct private equity investment in Indonesia.

 

The above transactions are conditional upon the approval of the issue of new shares by PT Japfa Tbk's shareholders at its extraordinary general meeting which will take place in July 2016.