Country for PR: Australia
Contributor: Medianet International
Monday, May 20 2019 - 19:00
AsiaNet
EML PAYMENTS ACQUIRES FLEX-E-CARD LIMITED TO BECOME THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF SHOPPING MALL GIFT CARD PROGRAMS GLOBALLY
BRISBANE, Australia, 20 May, 2019 /Medianet International-AsiaNet/--

EML PAYMENTS LIMITED (ASX: EML) ("EML") is pleased to announce the acquisition 
of Flex-e-Card Limited ('FEC'). EML Payments Europe Limited has agreed to 
acquire 100% of Flex-e-Card Limited ('FEC') which trades as flex-e-card and 
flex-e-vouchers.
 
FEC is a FinTech company providing the shopping mall sector with gift card 
solutions, servicing 226 shopping centres under contract through Europe 
(principally the United Kingdom, Ireland, Poland, Italy, and Finland), and the 
United Arab Emirates.

The transaction is expected to complete on 28 June, subject to satisfaction or 
waiver of conditions precedent. 

- Adds 226 shopping mall gift card programs to our portfolio with EML now 
participating in Poland and the U.A.E.
- Globally, EML will now support over 800 shopping mall gift card programs
- Gross Debit Volume to increase by an estimated $180m 
- Expected to generate $10m in revenue & $4.1m of EBTDA in the first year of 
ownership.

With the addition of the 226 new shopping malls gift card programs the 
acquisition enhances a core segment, which will be largely self-issued by EML 
in FY20. With increased penetration into the shopping mall vertical, it secures 
EML to be the global leader of this segment with more than 800 shopping mall 
gift card programs under management, enhancing EML's relationship with existing 
mall operators such as ECE and Unibail-Radamco-Westfield, and new relationships 
with major mall owners, Intu (UK) and EMAAR (UAE). 

The acquisition further increases EML's geographic spread into Poland and the 
United Arib Emerates. FEC has had significant success and is demonstrating 
rapid growth in Poland (74 shopping mall programs) and United Arab Emirates (24 
mall programs, as well as incentive programs for car dealerships) where EML 
does not currently operate. The acquisition of FEC also consolidates our market 
leading positions in Europe.
 
FEC has strong online sales capabilities, which will complement the deployment 
of EML's innovative mobile pays technology to the segment and further expands 
product capabilities.

FEC has a strong track record of results, having delivered consistent growth 
with a 3 year Gross Debit Volume CAGR of 24.7% to 2018. FEC is profitable and 
cash generative with significant growth potential across all regions.

The acquisition is a great fit with very little integration challenge
with FEC's primary office in Newcastle, UK. Neil Wake, Flex-e-Card Managing 
Director, has run the business since 2015 and will remain in the role. FEC 
staff are specialists in the shopping mall space and bring significant 
expertise to EML. FEC bring an additional 52 employees to the EML Group.

About EML Payments Limited

With EML, you will be empowered with more control, transparency and flexibility 
over your payment processes. Whether you serve businesses or consumers, EML 
makes your payment processing more efficient and secure from start to finish, 
while helping you improve customer service and increase brand loyalty.

Our portfolio offers innovative financial technology that provide solutions for 
payouts, gifts, incentives and rewards, and supplier payments. We issue mobile, 
virtual and physical card solutions to some of the largest corporate brands 
around the world, processing billions of dollars in payments each year, and 
manage more than 1,200 programs across 21 countries in North America, Europe 
and Australia.

For more information on EML Payments Limited, 
visit: https://www.emlpayments.com/

SOURCE: EML Payments Limited