Shares in leading New Zealand agribusiness group, Scales Corporation, began trading on the NZX Main Board today following the successful IPO that raised $149 million through the sale of new and existing shares.

The stock in the horticulture, storage and logistics and food ingredients business had been issued at $1.60 valuing Scales at $224 million.

Scales Corporation managing director Andy Borland says the issue has been well supported and the listing represents an excellent result for all concerned.

“We received very strong support from institutional investors and NZX Firms with demand significantly exceeding the size of the offer at the final offer price and we are very pleased with the shareholder spread.

“We welcome 12 domestic institutions, several global agriculture funds and retail clients from all of the major NZX broking firms as investors. We are particularly delighted that around half the offer has been subscribed to by retail investors – New Zealanders who see the value of a portfolio containing a strong, export-focused agribusiness.

“Scales now looks forward to achieving the goals set out when we began this journey, in particular the exciting prospects available to us through what is a fast-growing Asian sector.”

Direct Capital Investments Limited, together with its co-investors the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and ACC, have retained a cornerstone shareholding of 20 per cent in Scales following the listing.

The IPO comprised an offer of 93 million ordinary shares and raised $30 million of new capital which will provide Scales with flexibility for the future expansion of its business.

In its most recent annual result to 31 December 2013, Scales Corporation reported an after tax profit up by 50 per cent to $20.4 million.

Total revenue increased 17.2 per cent on 2012 to $278.1 million, with higher apple volumes and prices the single largest contributor while EBITDA was up by 34.4 per cent to $44.4 million.

Joint Lead Managers for the offer were First NZ Capital and Deutsche Craigs.