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14 August 2009 Hong Kong
Noble Americas Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary of global supply chain manager Noble Group (NOBL: SGX), has successfully tendered for a portfolio of SemFuel LP assets, which were placed on the auction block earlier this month. The sale was formally approved last Thursday during a hearing at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware and is expected to close on September 30, 2009.
SemFuel LP is a unit of Oklahoma based SemGroup LP, one of the largest privately held U.S. companies when it filed for Chapter 11 protection in July 2008.
Winning out over several other bidders, Noble’s US$65.35 million bid secured the highly sought after group of energy properties, which include fuel terminals, storage facilities and related contracts in Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Michigan and Texas.
The deal aligns with Noble’s asset-medium strategy and supports its US ethanol, gas and distillates business, which has been a strong performer for many years. The new assets also serve as a springboard to expand Noble’s energy platform and help create additional product options for Noble Group customers. Noble Group’s Energy Division has already invested in several ethanol plants and coal and mining assets, continues to expand its petrochemicals, clean fuels and carbon credits businesses and is in the process of creating a global platform for oil and gas.
Noble Group CEO Richard Elman commented on the company’s next step to strengthen its foothold in the US energy arena: “The United States is a big market and one which we have been watching closely, waiting for the right opportunities. These US-based energy assets will create additional businesses, volumes and products to feed through our supply chain model and will allow us to further diversify, both geographically and through increasing our product portfolio. Going forwards, we will continue to look for other select assets to better serve our customers and further enhance shareholder value.”
This transaction is not material for the purpose of the Singapore Stock Exchange Listing Rules.
About Noble Group
Noble Group (SGX: NOBL) is a market leader in managing the global supply chain of agricultural, industrial and energy products. We operate from over 100 offices in more than 40 countries, serving 4000+ customers. Noble manages a diversified portfolio of essential raw materials, integrating the sourcing, marketing, processing, financing and transportation.
With 2008 annual revenues exceeding US$36 billion, Noble continues its transition to owning and managing more strategic assets, sourcing from low cost producers such as Brazil, Australia and Indonesia and supplying to high growth demand markets including China, India and the Middle East. Today Noble has interests in coal and iron ore mines, grain crushing facilities, sugar and ethanol plants, vessels, ports and other infrastructure to ensure high quality products are delivered in the most efficient and timely manner to its customers.
In 2009, Noble ranked #218 on the Fortune Global 500. Last year, the Group was included in the new 30 security Straits Times Index, gained a top ten placing in the ACCA/CFO Asia "Regional Corporate Transparency Index (CTI)" and received a BBB- rating (investment grade) from Fitch. In addition, Noble placed on the Forbes Global 2000 and Forbes Fab 50 while being included in the S&P Global Challengers and The Asset's Best 60 Corporate Governance Award. Noble also received the Corporate Governance Recognition Award: Classes Of 2006 - 2009 by Corporate Governance Asia and was chosen as one of FinanceAsia's Best Companies. In 2005, Noble joined the MSCI Singapore Index. During this period, the Group was recognized as one of BusinessWeek's Stars of Asia and a Best Employer by Hewitt Associates.
For further details please contact:
Mr. Stephen Brown
Noble Group Limited
Tel: +852 2250 2060
Fax: +852 2861 0018
Email:
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Mr. Brad Smolar
Smolar Limited
Tel: +852 6339 3396
Fax: +852 2573 2473
Email:
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