Scott Technology buys majority stake in magnet maker, flags rights issue

Minimising resistance and so energy loss when transmitting electricity is one of the aims of the burgeoning superconductor industry. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Scott Technology has bought a controlling stake in electromagnet manufacturer HTS-110 Ltd, and said it is looking at a rights issue to help fund the deal.

The Dunedin-based manufacturer will pay $4.4 million for almost 51 per cent of HTS-110 of Wellington, with the expectation the target will play a key role in developing a New Zealand high temperature superconductor industry.

Superconducting technology enables the transmission of electricity without resistance or the loss of energy.

Read the announcement here.

Scott Technology will take on debt to pay for the purchase then raise money in a rights issue to cover the loan, it said in a statement today.

The terms of a rights issue are still being developed, but are likely to be one tradable right for three shares, with the issue ending in June. A prospectus is expected to be distributed at the end of May. The strike price would be at a discount to Scott Technology's shares, which last traded at $1.42 on March 25.

"Scott expects HTS-110 to be both earnings and cash-flow positive from the date of acquisition," managing director Chris Hopkins said in a statement. "Revenues and earnings are expected to grow significantly in the medium- to long-term as the product range moves through to full commercialisation."

Last week, Scott Technology lifted its first-half earnings 61 per cent to $1.6 million, and indicated more growth was likely in the second half with forward work sitting at record levels.

Any excess capital raised will be will be used to repay earlier borrowings for other acquisitions, and enable further expansion.

Industrial Research Ltd. and American Superconductor Corp. will keep minority shareholdings in HTS-110, while Endeavour Capital, the fund manager for the government's Venture Investment Funds, sold its stake to Scott.