22-07-2011, 07:23 AM
Jul 22, 2011
Upmarket kitchen appliance retailer goes to market
By Daniel Ho
THE newest listing on the Singapore Exchange's second board - a local firm selling upmarket kitchen appliances here and in Malaysia - makes its debut today.
Most of Kitchen Culture's business involves fitting out new projects for property developers.
The firm offered 17 million new shares, at 30 cents a share, by way of placement in its initial public offering (IPO), for a Catalist listing, which closed yesterday.
All 17 million shares were placed out. There was no public tranche of shares on offer.
The share offering represents about 17 per cent of Kitchen Culture's enlarged issued share capital after the IPO.
The firm said it hopes to raise about $3.72 million in net proceeds, which would be used to fund business expansion and for general working purposes.
Mr Lim Wee Li, chief executive and executive chairman of Kitchen Culture, told The Straits Times: 'The listing will raise our standing in the international arena, enable us to build on our success and also ride the growth momentum of both local and regional property markets.'
Kitchen Culture specialises in the sale and distribution of a wide range of premium imported high-end kitchen systems, kitchen appliances and household furniture from Europe and the United States.
The group distributes more than 10 brands in the residential kitchen industry, including Poggenpohl of Germany and Sub-Zero of the US.
While Kitchen Culture does engage in distribution and retail sales, 76 per cent of its revenue is derived from projects with property developers to outfit their residential properties.
Mr Lim was optimistic about the firm's outlook, citing strong demand from property developers.
'Given the trend among property developers to build more luxurious residences, we foresee strong demand from these developers for our products,' he said.
'We hope to expand geographically and also in terms of our product range,' he added.
He highlighted the group's plans to enter new markets such as Hong Kong and Indonesia within the next two years.
'We will leverage our proven track record in Singapore and also capitalise on our competitive edge as a multi-brand company.'
Mr George Lim, executive director at Kitchen Culture, said that the group intends to reward shareholders by recommending a dividend payout of at least 20 per cent of net profits for the 2011 and 2012 financial years.
The firm said net profits more than trebled to $4.3 million in the year ended Dec 31, last year, compared to a year earlier. Trading starts today.
danho@sph.com.sg
Upmarket kitchen appliance retailer goes to market
By Daniel Ho
THE newest listing on the Singapore Exchange's second board - a local firm selling upmarket kitchen appliances here and in Malaysia - makes its debut today.
Most of Kitchen Culture's business involves fitting out new projects for property developers.
The firm offered 17 million new shares, at 30 cents a share, by way of placement in its initial public offering (IPO), for a Catalist listing, which closed yesterday.
All 17 million shares were placed out. There was no public tranche of shares on offer.
The share offering represents about 17 per cent of Kitchen Culture's enlarged issued share capital after the IPO.
The firm said it hopes to raise about $3.72 million in net proceeds, which would be used to fund business expansion and for general working purposes.
Mr Lim Wee Li, chief executive and executive chairman of Kitchen Culture, told The Straits Times: 'The listing will raise our standing in the international arena, enable us to build on our success and also ride the growth momentum of both local and regional property markets.'
Kitchen Culture specialises in the sale and distribution of a wide range of premium imported high-end kitchen systems, kitchen appliances and household furniture from Europe and the United States.
The group distributes more than 10 brands in the residential kitchen industry, including Poggenpohl of Germany and Sub-Zero of the US.
While Kitchen Culture does engage in distribution and retail sales, 76 per cent of its revenue is derived from projects with property developers to outfit their residential properties.
Mr Lim was optimistic about the firm's outlook, citing strong demand from property developers.
'Given the trend among property developers to build more luxurious residences, we foresee strong demand from these developers for our products,' he said.
'We hope to expand geographically and also in terms of our product range,' he added.
He highlighted the group's plans to enter new markets such as Hong Kong and Indonesia within the next two years.
'We will leverage our proven track record in Singapore and also capitalise on our competitive edge as a multi-brand company.'
Mr George Lim, executive director at Kitchen Culture, said that the group intends to reward shareholders by recommending a dividend payout of at least 20 per cent of net profits for the 2011 and 2012 financial years.
The firm said net profits more than trebled to $4.3 million in the year ended Dec 31, last year, compared to a year earlier. Trading starts today.
danho@sph.com.sg
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