SHORT HILLS, NJ – D&B (NYSE: DNB), the leading provider of global business information and technology solutions, announced today that it has completed two separate partnership transactions involving the sale of D&B’s businesses in the Iberian and French markets.
D&B completed the sale of its operations in the Iberian market (Spain and Portugal) to Informa S.A., a leading provider of business information in Spain, which was previously announced on July 19, 2004. The proceeds from the deal are expected to be approximately $14 million, subject to adjustments as described below in the forward looking and cautionary statement section.
In addition, D&B completed the sale of its business in France to Base D’Informations Legales Holding S.A.S. (Bil Holding), a major business information provider to the French market, which was previously announced on September 8, 2004. The proceeds of this transaction are expected to be approximately $30 million, subject to adjustments as described below in the forward looking and cautionary statement section.
“These strategic partnerships we have formed with Informa and Bil Holding will further enhance the breadth and depth of our global database, thereby strengthening our DUNSRight™ value proposition for our global and European customers,” stated Allan Z. Loren, chairman and chief executive officer of D&B.
Under these separate strategic relationships D&B has formed with Informa and Bil Holding, each partner will operate the acquired businesses under the D&B name, will distribute D&B-branded products and services in their respective markets, and will invest in the continued improvement of the business information database for those markets. D&B will receive access to the databases acquired by Informa and BIL Holding for international use, substantially enhancing the level of Iberian and French business information available to D&B customers. D&B will provide technical support for the acquired businesses under multi-year service agreements. Additionally, the majority of team members in both markets are expected to remain with the businesses that have been acquired.
About D&B
D&B, the leading provider of global business information, tools, and insight, has enabled customers to Decide with Confidence for over 160 years. D&B’s proprietary DUNSRight™ quality process provides customers with quality information whenever and wherever they need it. This quality information is the foundation of D&B’s solutions that customers rely on to make critical business decisions. Customers use D&B Risk Management Solutions to mitigate risk, increase cash flow and drive increased profitability, D&B Sales & Marketing Solutions to increase revenue from new and existing customers, and D&B Supply Management Solutions to identify purchasing savings, manage risk and ensure compliance within the supply base. D&B’s E-Business Solutions help customers convert prospects to clients faster. For more information, please visit www.dnb.com.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements – Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking that involve a number of trends, risks and uncertainties and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions concerning this transaction include the possibility that the sale price for each transaction we will receive, or the one-time gain for each transaction we will recognize, will vary, based upon
- in the Iberian transaction, the value of the net assets of the businesses being sold on the date of closing which will be determined post-closing;
- in the French transaction, the percentage variation in the core revenue of the French business for specified periods; the actual value of the equity of the French business as of September 30, 2004; and the actual value of the cash and receivables of the French business as of September 30, 2004, which will also be determined post-closing.
For a more detailed discussion of the trends, risks and uncertainties that may affect D&B’s operating and financial results and its ability to achieve the financial objectives discussed in this press release, readers should review the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, including the section entitled “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”),” and the subsection entitled “Trends, Risks and Uncertainties” in the MD&A. Copies of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K are available on its web site at www.dnb.com and on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. D&B cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements.
