Business
Ex-Pack IPO oversubscribed 11 times, highest in recent times
Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons Limited’s LKR 700 million IPO, witnessed 6,000+ applicants seeking to subscribe, resulting in an 11X oversubscription. This is the highest rate of oversubscription witnessed by any recent IPO, making it the highest subscribed IPO for 2021. The IPO, which opened on the 22nd of October 2021, was oversubscribed in a matter of minutes and, thus, closed at 4.30pm the same day. There was active interest from a range of investors, both individuals and institutions, with Ex-Pack receiving more than 6000 applications worth over LKR 8 billion. Heavy retail activity was also noted.
Discussing the overwhelmingly positive conclusion of the IPO, Mr. Zulficar Ghouse, Managing Director at Ex-Pack said, “We are very pleased to say that the interest our IPO received surpassed expectations at every level. I take this opportunity to thank all those who placed their confidence in us and subscribed to our IPO. We look forward to having you onboard our journey and remain resolutely committed to delivering exceptional value to our investors, customers, people, communities and other stakeholders. The resounding success of our IPO is a testament to the underlying value and fundamentals of the company. It also demonstrates that investors have faith in our business, supported by our fundamentals.”
Commenting on the exceptional outcome of the IPO, Rizny Faisal, Senior Vice President and Head of ECM and M&A at CAL said, “We couldn’t be more pleased at the outcome of this issue and take this opportunity to congratulate Ex-Pack on presenting such a good case for investors. Given the unprecedented levels of interest in this issue, we have successfully guided the Company at every step of the way.”
Sujendra Mather, Head of Investment Banking at Asia Securities, further added, “We are proud to be Joint Managers to the Issue and would like to congratulate Ex-Pack for delivering one of the most sought-after IPOs of the year. The issue has seen exceptional demand from a diverse spectrum of investors and given the 11x oversubscription, we are quite confident of a positive secondary market performance of the share post commencement of trading.”
Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons Limited offered 83,333,333 ordinary voting shares (a 25% stake) at a price of LKR 8.40 per share through its IPO, resulting in a projected market capitalization of LKR 2.8 billion. This translates into an estimated forward PER of 7.7x for FY22 and implied TTM PER (as at August 2021) of 8.9x.
Funds raised by the IPO will go towards a 3-billion-rupee ultramodern production facility, which is expected to raise monthly volumes from 2,650 metric tons, currently, to 4,000 metric tons by 2025. Ex-Pack serves top corporate customers and brands, worldwide, across a range of industries including FMCG, consumer durables, apparel, tea and fisheries. The Company’s international presence extends to 8 key markets including the Maldives, Qatar, India, the USA, Australia, Madagascar, the Seychelles and Reunion Island.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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