Datalogic announces the acquisition of Datasensor S.p.A.

Datalogic SpA a company listed in the Star segment of the Milan Stock Exchange and a leader in the market for barcode readers, data collection mobile computers and RFID (radio frequency identification) systems has approved the acquisition of Datasensor SpA (a company 100% owned by Hydra SpA, controlling shareholder of Datalogic SpA).

The deal is of great industrial value as it will allow both the Datalogic Group and Datasensor to consolidate their respective market positions in the industrial automation sector. As the deal is between related parties, this press release has been prepared also in compliance with Article 71- bis of the Regulation implementing Italian Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998 (the Italian Consolidated Law on Finance) which governs issuers, approved by the CONSOB (Italian securities & exchange commission) with its resolution no. 11971 of 14 May 1999 as subsequently amended and integrated.

The object of the deal is the transfer of shares representing 100% of the share capital of Datasensor SpA from Hydra SpA to Datalogic Automation Srl, a company directly and wholly owned by the Issuer. In this regard please note that the investment contract was signed today and, at the same time, were transferred 100% of shares of Datasensor SpA to Datalogic Group. Datalogic Automation Srl (hereinafter also the Purchaser), 100% controlled by Datalogic SpA, is the second leading European manufacturer of industrial fixed-position scanning systems and one of the worlds leading producers of automatic identification systems for the industrial market

Datasensor SpA (hereinafter also the Target Company) is an Italian company present in the international market for over 30 years and a leader in the design, production and marketing of photoelectric sensors and devices for detection, safety, measurement, and inspection in industrial automation.

In 2007, Datasensor Group achieved sales revenues of 31.7 million and EBITDA (restated) of 5.6 million (17.6% on revenues); at 31 December 2007, the net financial position was positve by 3.5 million. The deal is worth a total amount of 45 million (Equity Value). The acquisition was realized using a multiple equal to approximately 7.5 FY 2007 EBIDTA (restated). The price, determined with the corroboration of an independent expert appraisal (KPMG Advisory SpA), will be paid in two instalments: the first, for a total amount of 31.3 mn immediately and the second, for 13.7 mn, by the middle of November. 

Datalogic Group is a world-class producer of bar code readers, data collection mobile computers and RFID systems. We offer innovative solutions for many industrial sectors, from manufacturing to transportation & logistics and retail. The Group is structured into 3 Divisions: Datalogic Scanning (#1 worldwide for retail POS scanners and #2 WW for Hand Held readers), Datalogic Mobile (#4 in EMEA and #5 worldwide for mobile computers) and Datalogic Automation (#2 in EMEA and #3worldwide for fixed readers for the industrial market).

Datalogic S.p.A. has been listed on the Star segment of the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001 as DAL.MI, with headquarters located in Lippo di Calderara di Reno (Bologna). Datalogic has about 1900 employees worldwide, in over 40 countries in Europe, Asia, the United States and the Pacific Rim. In 2007, the Group achieved revenues of 404 million Euro, an increase of 6% over the previous year.

Datasensor SpA is a leader in the production and marketing of optoelectronic sensors and devices for detection, safety, measurement and inspection in industrial automation. Its product range includes complementary products such as non-photoelectric sensors and temperature controllers. Datasensors global presence is assured by sales branches and by an extensive network of local distributors and Qualified Automation Partners (QAPs), Safety Experts, and Vision Experts.