Acquisition of a leading independent French chain

07/10/03 - 23 centers, coverage of 9 regional departments and sales of over EUR 7 million in 2004

 

An accretive acquisition representing 15% of Audika’s forecast sales for 2003

 

In line with its dynamic growth strategy, Audika Group has recently made a major new acquisition.
Indeed, in acquiring L’Aide Auditive, Audika is integrating one of the leading independent French chains, representing 15% of the Group’s forecast sales in 2003.

L’Aide Auditive boasts a network of 23 centers across 9 regional departments and expects to generate sales of over EUR 7 million in 2004.

 

This acquisition, consolidated as of January 2, 2004, will be accretive as of 2004.

 

 

Marked strengthening of the Group’s presence in the Ile de France region: 11 new centers

 

With 11 new centers in the Paris region to complement the Group’s existing network, the acquisition of L’Aide Auditive will enable Audika to considerably strengthen its presence in Paris and the Paris region.

 

Moreover, with a total of 38 centers, Audika is reinforcing its position in one of the major business areas in France.

 

 

Ongoing expansion nationwide: 12 new centers

 

This acquisition also allows Audika to actively pursue its expansion nationwide.

 

• Six new centers in Lower Normandy

The acquisition of L’Aide Auditive enables Audika to extend its coverage to a new regional department (4 centers in the Orne) and heighten its presence in Calvados (2 new centers). In fact, following the operation, Audika will have a total of 9 centers in the Lower Normandy region.

• Six new centers in Picardy

With a new center in the Aisne department, two in the Somme and three in the Oise, Audika is strengthening its presence in Picardy, where the Group now boasts 9 centers.

 

 

35 centers acquired and 12 franchised centers integrated since the beginning of 2003

 

This new operation strengthens Audika’s leading position on the French hearing correction market.

 

Since the beginning of 2003, Audika has acquired 35 new centers and integrated 12 franchised centers taking its overall network to a total of 270 centers across 73 regional departments.

Significant growth potential

 

Given the number of targets identified and its extensive financing capacity, Audika still enjoys significant growth potential on its market.

 

Audika will publish its half-yearly results for 2003 on October 21, 2003.

 

 

About Audika:

 

With 270 centers in 73 different regions and 13% market share, Audika is the number one network offering hearing correction consulting and solutions in France. Positioned on the market for hearing correction solutions for senior citizens, which is not affected by changes in the economic situation, Audika aims to consolidate its leadership in a sector that remains very highly fragmented.

 

Audika is listed on the Nextprime, MidCAC and Second Marché indexes.

 

Audika contact: Alain Tonnard on +33 (0)1 55 37 30 30

Equity Conseil contact: Laurence Marquézy on +33 (0)1 45 22 22 30



ISIN FR0000063752-ADI

Reuters DIKA.PA

Bloomberg ADI

Number of shares: 3,150,000



If you would like to receive financial information on Audika by e-mail, contact: www.equityinfos.com or www.audika.com.



07/10/03

Equity Conseil/DDB Group