The Hindu Business Line : SKNL plans to raise Rs 1,000 cr

NEW DELHI: S Kumars Nationwide plans to raise Rs 1,000 crore through issue of shares on qualified institutional placement (QIP) basis to fund its expansion plans.

The board of directors has approved raising an amount not exceeding Rs 1,000 crore through the issue of shares, S Kumars Nationwide Ltd (SKNL) said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange. The company would seek shareholders nod for the proposal.

"Currently, SKNL is looking at raising $70-80 million (Rs 335-382 crore) and half of this amount in next two-three months,'' SKNL Vice-Chairman and MD, Mr Nitin Kasliwal told news channel CNBC TV18 in an interview.

"The reason why we are doing this is because we are focused on our growth plan and we are going on a long-term strategy which is to maintain debt-equity ratio,'' he said, adding that the ratio is below 1:10 equity level.

Mr Kasliwal said QIP is also intended to "take care of our strategy from a balance sheet perspective.'' Mr Kasliwal told the channel that the money raised through QIP will not be used for the acquisition of US-based bankrupt suit maker Hartmarx. S Kumar s and British firm Emerisquethe acquired Hartmarx for about 120 million dollars last. "The Hartmarx acquisition is fully funded from internal accrual and debt in SKNL.'' - PTI

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