UPDATE 1-Goldman, China Zoomlion win Cifa with $422 mln bid

Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:56am BST
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SHANGHAI, June 25 (Reuters) - Mid-sized Chinese construction machinery maker Changsha Zoomlion has won a joint bid with Goldman Sachs and two other investors to buy Italy's Compagnia Italiana Forme Acciaio SpA (Cifa) for 271 million euros ($422 million).

Changsha Zoomlion Industry Science and Technology Development 000157.SZ, which is eager to secure a foothold in developed markets, said on Wednesday it would pay 163 million euros for a 60 percent stake in the Italian construction machinery maker.

Goldman (GS.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Mandarin Capital Partners and Chinese private-equity firm Hony Capital will hold the remainder.

"That's another major move by a second-tier Chinese construction machinery maker in mature markets after Sany announced plans for a U.S. plant," said Chen Yaobang, an industry analyst with Huatai Securities.

Zoomlion rival Sany Heavy Industry Co (600031.SS: Quote, Profile, Research) said earlier this year it planned to invest more than $100 million in a new U.S. facility, which will make it the first Chinese firm to manufacture construction gear in North America.

"The moves will give them a foothold in mature markets and boost their overall exports," Chen said.

Zoomlion's shares, traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, fell their daily limit to 18.94 yuan on Wednesday, underperforming a 3.64 percent gain in the Shanghai Composite Index .SSEC.

Analysts said Zoomlion, whose shares had been suspended from trading since April 8, was merely catching up with the benchmark index, which slumped more than 20 percent during that period.  Continued...

 
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