Cookson Group plc (CKSN.L) reached an agreement to sell its US Precious Metals business, an operation that forms part of its Precious Metals division, to Richline Group Inc., an unit of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Earlier, Cookson announced that, following the US Precious Metals business becoming loss-making, it had begun a strategic review and significant downsizing of the business. Subsequently, Richline expressed an interest in buying this business, and on 22 February 2012, Cookson and Richline inked a deal for Richline to acquire the business, subject to normal legal and regulatory closing provisions which may be completed in the 2012 second quarter.
The net cash consideration is subject to closing balance sheet adjustments but is expected to be sufficient for Cookson's exit from the business to be cash neutral, including taking into account the restructuring and other costs incurred in preparing the business for sale. The gross assets of the businesses being acquired by Richline are nearly $69.8m or 44.4 million pounds, while the net assets are about $60.2 milion.
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by RTT Staff Writer
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