이 기사는 2021년 07월 20일 08시00분 thebell에 표출된 기사입니다

IMM Private Equity (IMM PE) is considering forming a consortium with a strategic investor to acquire South Korea’s largest kitchen and interior furniture goods manufacturer Hanssem.

The PE firm aims to boost Hanssem’s corporate value by creating synergy, according to industry sources Friday.

Hanssem signed a memorandum of understanding last week with IMM PE to sell approximately 30% stake owned by Hanssem founder and honorary chairman, Cho Chang-gul, and seven affiliated people. The transaction price is likely to be around 1.5 trillion won ($1.3 billion), or 220,000 won apiece.

IMM PE is expected to mainly use its fourth blind-pool fund, RoseGold IV, and its co-investment fund for the acquisition of Hanssem. Considering the deal size, the PE firm is likely to join hands with a financial or strategic investor to reduce the burden of large-scale financing.

IMM PE is focusing on increasing Hanssem’s corporate value instead of raising funds, which increases a possibility of the firm joining hands with a strategic investor instead of a financial investor.

“It is theoretically possible for a financial investor to create synergy with a buyer, but practically, there will be limitations,” said an official at IMM PE. “Partnering with a strategic investor will be an opportunity to accelerate the improvement of corporate value and create synergy at the same time.”

Hanssem has reportedly given IMM PE the exclusive rights to negotiate with the seller for about four months. The PE firm will conduct due diligence and draw up a concrete funding plan before signing a stock purchase agreement.

After closely examining precedents, IMM PE is expected to decide possible cases that are applicable to the Hanssem acquisition. It will review all possible scenarios, such as a plan for a strategic investor to participate in the acquisition of the stake and grant a right of first refusal on shares owned by IMM PE or a plan to entrust the management to a strategic investor and IMM PE to hold a put option.

Construction companies are mentioned as strong candidates for a strategic investor given Hanssem’s business structure. Founded in 1970 as a kitchen furniture manufacturer, Hanssem has expanded its business to the interior furniture and remodeling. It is also engaged in a business that sells materials to construction companies. The kitchen division accounted for 42.7% or the largest share of Hanssem’s revenue in 2020 on a consolidated basis. The interior division accounted for 30.3% and the element division took up 26%.

IMM PE plans to develop Hanssem into a leading smart home company by utilizing the company’s manufacturing and distribution competitiveness. (Reporting by Gyoung-tae Kim)