20 May 2010
The Manager
Company Announcements Office
Australian Stock Exchange Limited
Level 4, 20 Bridge Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Dear Sir / Madam
CONTINUOUS DISCLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT – INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES
In accordance with Listing Rule 3.1, please find attached a copy of a Media Release in
respect of the company’s investment activities to be issued today.
Yours faithfully
Marcin Swierkowski
Company Secretary
Ariadne Australia Limited
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For further information please contact:
Murray R Boyte
Chief Executive Officer
Ariadne Australia Limited
T: +61 7 3225 4866
F: +61 7 3221 4641
Ariadne Australia Limited
ACN 040 474 067
ABN 50 010 474 067
Level 8, Riverside Centre
123 Eagle St, Brisbane
Qld Australia, 4000
GPO Box 286
Brisbane, Qld 4001
T +61 7 3225 4800
F +61 7 3225 4811
ARIADNE FORMS A LOGISTICS PROPERTY GROUP WITH LOGOS PROPERTY
AND PLANS FUTHER GROWTH
Ariadne Australia Limited (“Ariadne”) and Logos Property Pty Ltd (“Logos”) have formed a
logistics asset management and development group. This is an important part of Ariadne’s
strategy to deliver strong, sustainable earnings and long term capital growth.
Logos, in which Ariadne has a 50% interest, is a newly created joint venture with a group
of experienced industry executives who have a proven record of achievement. Led by
John Marsh (formerly the Executive GM Development of the Goodman Group) and Trent
Iliffe (formerly a Regional Director of LaSalle Investment Management), the joint venture
has identified a number of existing logistics assets for acquisition and is looking at further
logistics development opportunities which are being planned by Logos in joint ventures
with local and international investment groups with long term management of those assets
by Logos. With potential consolidation in the sector, Ariadne will give consideration in due
course to establishing an appropriate investment vehicle to be managed by Ariadne's
licensed funds management company, Ariadne Capital, which is led by Daniel Weiss.
The CEO of Ariadne, Murray Boyte, said “The Logos property joint venture was a rare
opportunity to blend a highly professional team with proven track records and longstanding institutional and tenant relationships, with the skills and experience of Ariadne
and that the Company expected strong growth leading to other opportunities in this
sector.” Executive Director of Logos, Trent Iliffe, said, “The focus of this venture is to
deliver Australia’s first logistics based real estate platform. Our combined experience,
expertise and relationships have been in this sector of the market and this is where we see
significant opportunities.”
The Chairman of Ariadne, David Baffsky, said “We see the joint venture as an important
additional platform for Ariadne, complementing its 50% interest in Secure Parking Group
which is today the largest operator of car parks in Australia. Secure manages car parks for
a number of major investors such as ISPT, QIC, Stockland, Dexus, AMP, and Macquarie and
is on an aggressive growth path which should lead to an increase in Secure’s contribution
to both Ariadne’s earnings and capital growth.”
“The Logos team has development skills which will also be of value to growing the Secure
business.” Mr Baffsky said. Executive Director of Logos Property, John Marsh, said “We
have a significant pipeline of development opportunities across the Eastern Seaboard’s
capital cities. This is an exciting time to capitalise on our tenant and development
relationships.”
In other parts of its investment portfolio, Ariadne has also recently increased its
shareholding in Freshxtend International Pty Ltd (“Freshxtend”) from 38.8% to 47.64%.
Freshxtend’s principal asset is its holding in the Natureseal Inc group, a joint venture with
Mantrose-Haeuser Co Inc, the world leader in edible film coatings for the pharmaceutical,
confectionery and agricultural industries. Natureseal is the global leader in shelf-life
extension products for fresh-cut fruit and vegetables.
Natureseal’s revenues and
profitability have shown good growth over the last few years and Ariadne is pleased to
have been able to increase its exposure to this investment.
With strong cash reserves, and a widely experienced board of directors, Ariadne continues
to evaluate a growing list of opportunities where it can add value and expects that this
trend will continue.
The Company intends to continue a responsible dividend policy.
About Ariadne Australia Limited:
Ariadne is an investment company engaged in a number of diverse activities including real
estate, car parking, marine asset management and business and financial services.
Ariadne is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange under the code ARA. For more
information about Ariadne Australia Limited visit www.ariadne.com.au.
About Logos Property Pty Ltd
Logos is an integrated and specialist property company, engaged in the provision of
acquisition, development and asset management services related to all areas of logistic
property. The Logos team has a strong track record in management, development, leasing
and sale of logistics real estate in Australia and Asia Pacific.
About NatureSeal®
The first NatureSeal formulation was jointly developed and patented by Mantrose-Haeuser
Co, Inc and the US Department of Agriculture. For more information about NatureSeal
visit www.natureseal.com.
Contacts
Ariadne Australia Limited
Murray Boyte (07) 3225 4800
Logos Property
Trent Iliffe (02) 9221 1383