
Stealth Group Holdings, Ltd (ASX: SGI), (the Company or Stealth), a leading Australian distribution group, is pleased to release details of its acquisition of Force Technology International Pty Ltd (Force), a market-leading distributor of consumer mobile accessory products in Australia.
OVERVIEW & SUMMARY STRATEGIC RATIONALE
KEY FINANCIALS
DEAL SUMMARY
Commenting on the Acquisition, Group Managing Director and CEO Mike Arnold said: “This acquisition marks a significant milestone and an exciting new chapter for both Stealth and Force. By integrating Force, we are strategically positioned to leverage their extensive distribution network and customer base, whilst providing Force with new customer channels in business and trade. This move will accelerate our growth, introduce new products, importantly our own-label range, and enhance our market penetration. The synergies from this acquisition, combined with expanded customer channels and increased operational efficiencies, will drive significant value for Stealth, enhancing our competitive edge and delivering stronger returns for our shareholders.”
ABOUT FORCE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD
Force, with FY24F revenue of ~$44.0 million, is a market-leading wholesale distributor and solutions provider in the large and growing mobile accessories market. Force has a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions that enhance the mobile experience for consumers. Its product range includes own-label, private-label, exclusive brand distribution, and brand distribution, and is distributed to some 3,310 retail stores in Australia.
Force has an established reputation for delivering high-quality products and solutions with a strong market presence, holding approximately 5% of the market in a $1 billion wholesale market.
ACQUISITION RATIONALE
The acquisition of Force accelerates Stealth’s wholesale, own-label/private-label product selection, and direct-to-consumer strategy. This acquisition is a significant milestone for Stealth, reinforcing its commitment to becoming Australia’s leading market alternative to the majors.
It aligns with Stealth’s strategic focus on higher-margin, capital-light, cash-generative, diversified, scalable, own-label and private-label product ranges, exclusive brands, and a nationwide distribution network. This positions the company to capitalise on meaningful synergy opportunities and enhanced market presence.
MARKET EXPANSION BENEFITS OF THE ACQUISITION
OUTLOOK
FY25 Financials: The combined Stealth and Force business estimates FY24F revenue to be approximately $159 million, with an EBITDA of around $8.5 million, before transaction costs. From this baseline, expected growth areas in FY25 will be driven by (1) synergies, (2) new revenue contributions from customer channel expansion, and (3) new charge-through sales of approximately $60 million annualised as previously announced in Stealth’s ASX release on 16 February 2024 and at Stealth’s AGM on 24 November 2023.
Based on the successful implementation of these initiatives, Stealth will surpass its long-term guidance of $200 million in sales for FY25.
PRESENTATION BRIEFING ON THE FORCE TRANSACTION
The Company will host a presentation briefing this Thursday, June 6 beginning at 11:00 a.m. (AWST) / 1:00p.m. (AEST) to discuss the acquisition, the future strategy, and outlook. This briefing is being webcast and can be accessed, along with supporting slides, on the Stealth Group website at www.stealthgi.com and clicking on Investor Relations.