AGM Statement
August 01 2007 - 2:02AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:2697B
Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC
01 August 2007
1 August 2007
Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC
AGM Statement
At today's Annual General Meeting of Healthcare Enterprise Group PLC (AIM: HCEG,
"HCEG" or "the Group"), the international healthcare products group, the
Chairman of the Group will make the following statement to shareholders:
'Since the Group published its results on 31 May 2007, the focus of our efforts
continues to be to maximise shareholder value across the Group and, supported
by our bank, to position the Group for a return to break-even and profitability.
'The Group's principal trading business Crest Medical, has been stabilised and
although operating costs have been reduced further year on year, Crest continues
to operate at a loss. During the current year service levels have improved and
with sales and procurement initiatives presently underway, management is
confident that the business will resume profitability later in the current
financial year. The business continues to look at new products and markets as a
way of leveraging its logistics capacity.
'Ebiox products continue to achieve greater recognition and sales growth in the
decontamination and disinfectant market. Sales to Sultan Healthcare have
commenced and additional distribution agreements have been entered into in
Benelux and certain countries in the Far East.
'The focus for Ebiox is to now gain market penetration in North America.
Following the EPA approvals received earlier this year for the sprays,
concentrates and wipes, the Group is proceeding to gain individual US state
approvals paving the way for commercial agreements in these territories.
'The Group continues to evaluate ways in which it may realise value from its
investment in Optiscope. An external consultant has been engaged to advise on
improvements to the 10mm version of the laparoscope and a three month programme
is presently underway to achieve these improvements. Following completion of
this project the Group will resume discussions for a partial or total disposal
of its interests in Optiscope.
'Trials of the Fertiligent product in Turkey have now commenced. A new style
product shape is currently being designed and a new eight hour version of the
products is currently being developed. Following completion of the trials in
Turkey, the Group plans to commence commercialisation of the product through
continuing discussions with major distributors in Europe and North America.
'A corporate finance firm has recently been appointed to manage the planned
disposal of the Group's CICS dental products business. A confidential
information memorandum is currently being finalised with marketing to commence
in the next few weeks.
'The Group is in active discussions to realise its investment in Ridgecrest. A
further announcement will be made at the appropriate time.
'The Board and management are focused on restoring the Group to break-even and
sustainable profitability at the first available opportunity.'
Enquiries:
Healthcare Enterprise Group + 44 (0)1925 898 200
Lyndon Gaborit, Executive Deputy Chairman
Numis Securities
David Poutney +44 (0) 20 7260 1000
College Hill +44 (0) 20 7457 2020
Adrian Duffield / Corinna Dorward
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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