Copenhagen, 2014-01-08 07:05 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
 

• Wilson Security acquires the commercial security business of ISS in Australia and New Zealand
• The security activities are delivered by around 2,500 guards across Australia and New Zealand
• ISS retains its security activities at 13 Australian airports
• The proposed divestment is part of ISS’ strategy of focusing on its core activities which leverage the strength of the IFS offering and create a more aligned business platform
• The proceeds from the divestment will enable further deleveraging of ISS  

ISS, a leading global facility services provider, has agreed to sell its commercial security activities in Australia and New Zealand to Wilson Security. ISS will continue to provide security services, focusing purely on security at major airports in Australia. These services comprise part of the Aviation & Transport Division of ISS. ISS is the largest provider of airport security services in Australia, providing services to 13 airports.

Thomas Hinnerskov, Regional CEO, ISS Asia Pacific, commented:

“This transaction will result in a stronger business platform for ISS in the Pacific Region, as we focus on our core activities, and it is part of the accelerated execution of our global strategy and alignment of our business platform.”

“We review continuously the strategic rationale and fit of our different service activities. In late 2013, we concluded that our commercial security operations in Australia and New Zealand generally were standalone service offerings, providing limited ability to leverage the strength of our Integrated Facility Services strategy, while our security activities at airports and ports have the potential for integration with our other services. Airports and ports are highly prioritised customer segments for ISS in Australia and throughout the Asia Pacific Region, both Shanghai and Bangkok International Airports are among the many airports we service in the region.”

“At the same time we were approached by a number of security companies, and we determined that this was a good opportunity to transfer the commercial security activities to a new owner that has security as a core offer.”

ISS intends to use the proceeds from the divestment to support the continued deleveraging of the company.

The transaction remains subject to satisfaction of certain conditions precedent customary in a transaction of this nature.

For media enquiries
Kenth Kærhøg, Head of Group Communications, +45 38 17 62 05
Manuel Vigilius, Global Media Relations Manager, +45 38 17 64 04

For investor enquiries
Barbara Plucnar Jensen, Head of Group Treasury, +45 38 17 62 60
Martin Kjær Hansen, Treasury Manager, +45 38 17 64 31

About ISS
The ISS Group was founded in Copenhagen in 1901 and has grown to become one of the world’s leading Facility Services companies. ISS offers a wide range of services such as: Cleaning, Catering, Security, Property and Support Services as well as Facility Management. Global revenue amounted to almost DKK 80 billion in 2012 and ISS has more than 530,000 employees and local operations in more than 50 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America and Pacific, serving thousands of both public and private sector customers. For more information on the ISS Group, visit www.issworld.com.

ISS A/S, CVR 28 50 47 99, ISIN XS0253470644
ISS Global A/S, ISIN XS0206714247