Waha Maritime, subsidiary of Waha Capital, acquires 49 per cent stake in GMMOS Group
GMMOS Group acquired by Abraaj Capital in May 2007 through Abraaj Buyout Fund II
Deal marks Waha Maritime's first major investment in maritime sector
Abu Dhabi, July 21, 2008: Waha Capital, the Abu Dhabi-based and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange-listed diversified holding company, has signed an agreement with Abraaj Capital, the premier investment firm specialising in private equity investment in the region, to acquire a 49 per cent strategic stake in GMMOS Group. GMMOS Group is an Abraaj Capital portfolio company and a major regional industrial group operating in the marine, oil & gas and crane-hire sectors across the high-growth Gulf and Caspian markets.
Under the terms of the agreement, Al Waha Maritime has acquired a 49 per cent stake in GMMOS Group: 40 per cent of the strategic investment was acquired from investors exiting the co-investment vehicle, and the remaining nine per cent was acquired from Abraaj Buyout Fund II (ABOF II). Proceeds from the sale of the nine per cent ABOF II stake will be applied towards reducing the cost of the original Abraaj Capital investment.
Waha Capital, which is pursuing a vision of diversified, multi-sector growth, made the investment in GMMOS Group through its wholly-owned subsidiary Waha Maritime. "This acquisition is in line with our strategy to build a significant regional maritime business alongside other businesses from our base in Abu Dhabi," Waha Capital's Chief Executive Officer, Samer Alhaj, said.
"As one of the leading suppliers to the offshore industry, GMMOS Group is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of companies active in offshore exploration and development in the Gulf and Caspian regions," said Arif Naqvi, Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, Abraaj Capital.
"There is a clear alignment between the growth strategies of GMMOS Group, which is rapidly expanding in the pan-regional offshore industry, and Waha Maritime, which is focused on expanding its shipping operations and presence in the offshore support industry. This strategic partnership will provide great benefits to both companies in meeting the needs of firms operating in the marine and oil and gas sectors," Naqvi said.
In May 2007, Abraaj Capital, together with co-investors, acquired 100 per cent of GMMOS Group, through its US$500 million ABOF II.
GMMOS Group is comprised of four well-established business divisions, which include Grandweld, the leading shipyard in the Gulf focusing on the Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) segment; GMMOS Fabrication, an oil and gas specialised steel fabricator of pressure vessels and skid modules; Stanford Marine, a prominent OSV charter operator in the Gulf; and Gallagher, one of the largest mobile fleet operators in the UAE.
GMMOS has witnessed strong growth over the past few years across all its business divisions. This trend is expected to continue going forward, driven by sustained high oil prices, increased oil and gas-related spending, growth in the regional construction sector, and the overall economic growth in the region.
Alhaj said the acquisition fits perfectly with Waha Capital's strategy of growth and diversification through acquisitions, joint ventures and the creation of new businesses. "This is the first step in the long-term business development programme for Waha Maritime, our newly created subsidiary. Waha Maritime is keen on identifying acquisition and joint venture opportunities in the wider Gulf region," he said.
Waha Capital unveiled its strategy for diversified business growth in February this year when it announced its transformation from a single-business company into a holding company with four sector-specific subsidiaries: Waha Leasing, Waha Maritime, Waha Financial Services and Waha Land.
At the time, Waha Capital said it would pursue a strategy to drive multi-sector business growth and diversification through acquisitions, joint ventures and the creation of new businesses with investments worth AED 20 billion, and shall focus on building a diversified, Abu Dhabi-based powerhouse that derives its vision from that of the overall vision for Abu Dhabi as outlined by the country's leadership.
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About Waha Capital:
Waha Capital PJSC is Abu Dhabi-based and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange-listed diversified investments holding company, which was created by restructuring Oasis International Leasing Company PJSC in February 2008. Waha Capital has adopted a clear vision and strategy to drive multi-sector business growth and diversification through acquisitions, joint ventures and creation of new business.
Its current business portfolio includes big-ticket leasing, financial services, maritime and property development. Waha Capital's main institutional shareholders are Mubadala Development Company and Abu Dhabi Investment Company. In pursuing its vision and strategy as a diversified investment holding company, Waha Capital aims to be a world-class organization that will take the lead in implementing best practices and governance, and to position itself as a partner of choice in the UAE and Middle East for regional and global businesses. For more information please visit www.wahacapital.ae
About Abraaj Capital:
Based in Dubai, Abraaj Capital is the premier investment firm specialising in private equity investment in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region. The management team has brought together some of the most compelling and successful transactions in the history of leveraged acquisitions across the region.
With US$5 billion of assets currently under management, Abraaj has pioneered institutionalising private equity practice in the region and is setting trends and benchmarks for others to follow. Winner of industry awards including 'Middle Eastern Private Equity Firm of the Year' from Private Equity International (2005, 2006 & 2007), the Banker Middle East Award for 'Best Private Equity House' in 2006 and for 'Outstanding Contribution to Financial Services' in 2007 and 'Best Private Equity House' at the World Private Equity Awards, MENA in 2007. Arabian Business recognised Abraaj among the 50 Most Admired Companies in the GCC in 2007. Abraaj is also the first pure private equity firm to be registered by the Dubai Financial Services Authority to operate out of the Dubai International Financial Centre. Apart from managing its five private equity funds, Abraaj Capital Holdings Limited (ACHL) itself is extremely well capitalised, with an issued share capital of US$ 1 billion. Its 135 professionals come from 27 nationalities and achieve a coverage that spans the MENASA region. For more information please visit www.abraaj.com.
For further information, please contact:
Waha Capital:
Wael Kanakri
Communications Director
Oasis International Leasing PJSC
Tel: +9712 627 3880
Dir: +9712 627 3886
Fax:+9712 627 3990
Mobile:+971 (50) 901 1003
E-mail: wael.kanakri@wahacapital.ae
Olivia Olarte
Asda'a Public Relations
Tel: +9712 633 4133
Fax: +9712 633 4233
Mobile: +971 50 5312944
E-mail: o.olarte@asdaa.com
Abraaj Capital:
Nicholas Nesson / Nitin Nambiar / Ghaleb Zeidan
ASDA'A Public Relations
Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-3355969
Fax: 971-4-3356080
E-mail: n.nesson@asdaa.com / n.nambiar@asdaa.com / g.zeidan@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2008
