PSE okays SBS IPO; sales start July 28

The Philippine Stock Exchange has approved the planned R1.16-billion initial public offering of SBS Philippines Corporation, a chemical firm owned by the Sytengco family.

PSE documents show, SBS is planning to offer 420 million common shares, at a maximum offer price of R2.75 apiece, equivalent to 35 percent of the company’s outstanding capital after the IPO.

The final offer price will be set on today (July 24) while the offer period will be from July 28 to August 3, 2015. The target listing date is on August 10, 2015.

Proceeds of the initial public offering (IPO) will be used to fund the expansion of the firm’s current product offering, partially retire a term loan, and fund working capital.

SBS Philippines is considered one of the major chemical traders and distributors in the Philippines, supplying more than 1,800 customers with over 3,000 chemical products sourced from 500 suppliers.

Used in more than 140 different industries, its products are supplied to all areas of industry throughout the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

The Sytengco family currently owns directly and indirectly 93.2 percent of the company. After the planned IPO, the family’s stake in the company is expected to be reduced to 60.6 percent.

The Sytengco family’s chemical business started in 1970 with a two-story office and warehouse building in Sta. Cruz, Manila and only 10 employees.

The company was then involved in selling imported industrial chemicals to small and medium-sized manufacturing companies.