Hi,
I'm new here.
Has anyone any recent news on KBC Advanced Technologies.
They certainly have modernised their website.

lacing

RNS


RNS Number : 7641H

KBC Advanced Technologies plc

22 May 2014






Embargoed until 0700 hrs 22 May 2014



KBC Advanced Technologies plc

("KBC" or "the Group")



Placing of 20,869,565 Ordinary Shares at 115 pence per share to raise £24.0 million



KBC Advanced Technologies plc, a leading provider of consulting and software solutions to the hydrocarbon processing industry, is pleased to announce that it has raised £24.0 million via a placing of 20,869,565 Ordinary Shares at the Placing Price of 115 pence per share. The Placing Shares have been conditionally placed by Cenkos, as agent for the Company, with institutional and other investors.



Reason for Placing

As KBC set out in its most recent Full Year Results the demand for its services remains buoyant and its addressable market continues to grow.

KBC's long term strategy is to broaden its technology offering and expand its business further into the upstream sector in order to increase the proportion of technology revenues, both organically and inorganically.

The net proceeds of the Placing will be used to:

· allow the Group to target larger, more capital intensive, higher margin projects;

· continue investment in sales and marketing with the objective of further enhancing revenue and earnings growth;

· continue the Group's two year investment in high growth geomarkets, which commenced last year in China and Middle East and will include the former Soviet Union, Latin America, Northeast Asia and India in 2014 and 2015;

· expand the Group's technology offering to offer a more comprehensive software package across the full spectrum of wellhead, production, oil and gas processing, refining and petrochemicals; and

· continue the Board's strategy to selectively acquire niche software companies that sell into the upstream sector and whose software integrates effectively into KBC's Petro-SIM™ platform.



Summary of Placing

Conditional on Admission, the Company will issue 20,869,565 new Ordinary Shares which will raise £24.0 million, before expenses, and approximately £23.1 million, after the expenses of the Placing. The Placing Shares issued pursuant to the Placing will represent approximately 25.9 per cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital. Dealings are expected to commence on 10 June 2014.

As part of the Placing Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, an Oslo listed company, has agreed to subscribe for 4,032,000 Placing Shares and will have a beneficial interest in 5.0 per cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital following Admission. Kongsberg Gruppen ASA is an international, knowledge-based group that supplies high-technology systems and solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry, the merchant marine, and the defence and aerospace industries.

Ian Godden, Chairman of KBC, commented:

"KBC has made significant financial and strategic progress over recent periods and we see substantial opportunities in high growth markets.

"This Placing provides the funding that will allow the Group to take best advantage of those opportunities, through organic and inorganic investment in our technology offering, the further development of our market reach and an enhanced ability to undertake larger projects.

"We are delighted by the support we have received from current and new investors and in particular welcome Kongsberg Gruppen ASA as a shareholder. Their investment will further strengthen the relationship between KBC and Kongsberg Gruppen ASA with the aim of offering upstream, midstream and downstream customers improved solutions for process simulation."

- END -

Director Deals - KBC Advanced Technologies PLC (KBC)

BFN

Oliver Scott, Non Executive Director, bought 160,000 shares in the company on the 22nd May 2014 at a price of 120.94p. The Director now holds 7,538,863 shares.
NOTE: Connected party.
Story provided by StockMarketWire.com
Director deals data provided by www.directorsholdings.com

Remarkable the way its come back since Jan.

Shard Capital highlights KBC’s potential
By Shard Capital
May 24 2014, 11:04am
column image

Consulting and software solutions to the hydrocarbon processing industry have been the focus of our discussions this week.

That’s because we advised our clients to buy KBC Advanced Technologies (LON:KBC). On 22 May, the company announced a £24mln fundraising at 115p that our clients participated in, pending approval at the general meeting on 9 June.

The company is a leading supplier of simulation models to major refining companies and a market leader for profit improvements in processing plants. This best-in-class software is used by BP, Shell, Total, Petronas, Chevron, Conoco Phillips and the list goes on.

Numbers for 2013 were solid with revenue up to £65mln, while pre-tax profit nearly doubled to £7.12mln, margins were the best they have been for 5 years and it reinstated the dividend of 1p.

It is now looking to grow the software part of the business as the margins are greater. This should be helped by the £24mln war chest KBC now has to make suitable acquisitions within this sector. It currently trades on a P/E of 12.4. AIM software companies with high recurring revenues trade on average at 21 times so we feel with this shift alone we should see a re-rating.

KBC has historically focused on the downstream refineries and petrochemicals sector but is now looking to move upstream as well, both organically and through acquisition. This makes perfect sense as the 2014 refining capex is $71bn, whereas the 2014 upstream capex is over $700bn.

There are risks of course; any downturn in the oil and gas industry could impact budgets and lead to KBC missing forecasts. The environment is competitive so there is no guarantee that its software will remain best in sector and if the company does make any acquisitions, they will need to be successfully integrated.

Taking these risks into account, we feel that this is a well-run company with a very impressive offering and management team.

Director/PDMR Shareholding

RNS


RNS Number : 1006I

KBC Advanced Technologies plc

27 May 2014






27 May 2014

KBC Advanced Technologies plc



("KBC" or "the Company")



Director's Dealings & DTR disclosure





KBC Advanced Technologies plc (the "Company" or "KBC") received notification on 23 May 2014 from Kestrel Partners LLP ("Kestrel") that on 22 May 2014 it acquired, on behalf of its discretionary clients, 100,000 ordinary shares ("Shares") in the Company at a price of £1.21 per share and on 23 May 2014 it acquired, on behalf of its discretionary clients, 25,000 Shares at a price of £1.21 per share.



Kestrel is the investment manager to Kestrel Opportunities, a cell of Guernsey Portfolios PCC Limited ("Kestrel Opportunities"), and various other clients. This disclosure relates to indirect shares and voting rights in the Company that are managed by Kestrel on a discretionary basis.



Oliver Scott (Non-executive Director of KBC) is a partner of, and holds a beneficial interest in Kestrel. Mr Scott is also a shareholder in Kestrel Opportunities and is therefore deemed to have a legal beneficial interest in Kestrel Opportunities' entire legal holding in KBC.



Prior to this purchase of shares, Kestrel on a combined basis indirectly held shares and voting rights over 8,411,497 Shares in the Company.



Following this transaction, Kestrel Opportunities holds (and consequently Mr Scott is deemed to have a legal beneficial interest in) 7,663,863 Shares in the Company. Kestrel's other discretionary clients, in which Mr Scott has no legal beneficial interest, hold a further 872,634 Shares in the Company.



On a combined basis, Kestrel indirectly holds voting rights over 8,536,497 Shares in the Company, which represents approximately 14.31 per cent of the Company's issued share capital.



Save as disclosed above, Mr Scott is not interested in any further shares in KBC, either directly or indirectly.



This disclosure does not include the 1,500,000 new Shares in KBC that Kestrel subscribed for under the Placing which was announced on 22 May 2014. These shares will only be allotted following approval of the resolutions to be proposed at the Company's General Meeting due to be held on 9 June 2014.



Kestrel's interest in KBC is held through the following nominees:




Holding type

Nominee

No. of shares

% of issued share capital


Indirect

Rose Nominees Limited

7,663,863

12.84%


Indirect

JIM Nominees Limited

872,634

1.46%

Director/PDMR Shareholding

RNS


RNS Number : 4354I

KBC Advanced Technologies plc

30 May 2014






KBC Advanced Technologies plc

Director's Dealings & DTR Disclosure

30 May 2014



KBC Advanced Technologies plc (the "Company" or "KBC") received notification on 29th May 2014 from Kestrel Partners LLP ("Kestrel") that on 29th May 2014 it acquired, on behalf of its discretionary clients, 50,000 ordinary shares in the Company at a price of £1.24 per share.



Kestrel is the investment manager to Kestrel Opportunities, a cell of Guernsey Portfolios PCC Limited ("Kestrel Opportunities"), and various other clients. This disclosure relates to indirect shares and voting rights in the Company that are managed by Kestrel on a discretionary basis.



Oliver Scott (Non-executive Director of KBC) is a partner of, and holds a beneficial interest in Kestrel. Mr Scott is also a shareholder in Kestrel Opportunities and is therefore deemed to have a legal beneficial interest in Kestrel Opportunities' entire legal holding in KBC.



Prior to this purchase of shares, Kestrel on a combined basis indirectly held shares and voting rights over 8,536,497 ordinary shares in the Company.



Following this transaction, Kestrel Opportunities holds (and consequently Mr Scott is deemed to have a legal beneficial interest in) 7,713,863 ordinary shares in the Company. Kestrel's other discretionary clients, in which Mr Scott has no legal beneficial interest, hold a further 872,634 ordinary shares in the Company.



On a combined basis, Kestrel indirectly holds voting rights over 8,586,497 ordinary shares in the Company, which represents approximately 14.39 per cent of the Company's issued share capital.



Save as disclosed above, Mr Scott is not interested in any further shares in KBC, either directly or indirectly.



Kestrel's interest in KBC is held through the following nominees:




Holding type

Nominee

No. of shares

% of issued share capital


Indirect

Rose Nominees Limited

7,713,863

12.93%


Indirect

JIM Nominees Limited

AGM Statement

RNS


RNS Number : 7710I

KBC Advanced Technologies plc

04 June 2014




Embargoed until 0700 hrs

4 June 2014



KBC Advanced Technologies plc

("KBC" or "the Group")

AGM Statement



At KBC's AGM to be held at 3.00 pm today Ian Godden, Chairman, will make the following statement.



"KBC has started well in 2014 and is experiencing good growth prospects in most regions. Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, Russia and Asia continue to underpin our success and North America is providing growth opportunities again after three years of relative stagnation in downstream oil and gas.



We have recently signed a four year, $5.2m software licence renewal for Petro‑SIM™ with one of our major Latin American customers, which further strengthens our relationship with them and reaffirms the value that our technology solutions are able to deliver to our clients.



The successful reorganisation and reconstruction started in 2012 is almost behind us with overheads reduced and the margins in consulting progressing well towards our targets for this year and 2015. We are looking to strengthen our team to reinforce our success in the growth regions and the modernization of our business support systems will require further effort and investment in the medium term.



We have strengthened our Board with the appointment of a new Non-Executive Director, Paul McCloskey, who provides a wealth of experience in upstream oil and gas, and the appointments of executives Andrew Howell, Managing Director of Technology, and Kevin Smith, Managing Partner of Consulting. A highly experienced interim CFO, Andrew Hebb, has been hired until a new long term CFO is found to support the next five years of substantial growth.



Subject to approval on 9 June 2014, we will have raised £24m of new equity to fund the growth, especially in software and upstream consulting. It is particularly encouraging that a number of major new investors have supported this placing. The new monies are largely earmarked for acquisitions of IP rich software companies and will also provide working capital to enable the company to target a greater number of large consulting contracts, a key part of KBC's medium term strategy.



The growth in our markets, together with a healthy pipeline at the start of the year, gives us confidence in meeting management's expectations for the current year and the new investor funding will provide a platform for longer term growth prospects."



- END -

Strategic Relationship

RNS


RNS Number : 8479J

KBC Advanced Technologies plc

18 June 2014








18 June 2014



KBC Advanced Technologies plc ("KBC" or the "Company")
Strategic relationship

KBC Advanced Technologies plc, a leading provider of consulting and software solutions to the hydrocarbon processing industry, and Kongsberg Gruppen ASA ("Kongsberg") are delighted to announce that they will collaborate more closely in a number of key areas focused on improving production solutions for upstream operators. To reinforce the relationship, Kongsberg made an investment in the recent KBC share placing to demonstrate that they find KBC's growth strategy in upstream oil and gas appealing.

With their existing solutions for process simulation, flow assurance, thermodynamics and production assurance, Kongsberg and KBC will be able to offer a more comprehensive lifecycle solution from concept selection to hydrocarbon transport systems. Kongsberg believes that KBC's approach for flow assurance thermodynamics will be supported by the industry at large and sees that the new investments KBC has made to integrate with reservoir and production technology over time are key to changing industry dynamics. Kongsberg is eager to support this integration strategy of process facilities to subsurface and surface production systems technology and this aligns directly with their own strategy

"The relationship between Kongsberg and KBC will ensure more open collaboration in the upstream oil and gas industry where KBC recognises that Kongsberg's existing Lifecycle Simulation approach creates a strong base from which to deliver more complete solutions" commented Andrew Howell,. Managing Director, Technology at KBC.

"Both companies bring significant consulting capability in technical and operational excellence which will be strengthened to empower oil and gas companies to achieve top level performance in human and asset capital" added Jon Starkebye, Senior Vice President Software & Services, Kongsberg Oil & Gas Technologies.

Whilst it is important for both companies to remain as independent technology and service providers for all oilfield service companies and to work with all of them to deliver value to the operators, Kongsberg recognises the value that KBC has been able to deliver in the downstream refining and petrochemical market segments for many decades and looks forward to working with KBC to recreate similar value for upstream operations.

- ENDS -

Acquisition

RNS


RNS Number : 9253M

KBC Advanced Technologies plc

22 July 2014










Embargoed until 0700 hrs 22 July 2014





KBC announces acquisition of FEESA Ltd



Further expansion into the upstream oil and gas software and services market



KBC Advanced Technologies plc ("KBC" or "the Group") is pleased to announce that it has purchased FEESA Ltd ("FEESA"), a leading UK-based provider of specialised software and services to the upstream oil and gas industry, for an enterprise value of £10 million plus one million KBC shares, totalling £11.2 million.



The acquisition of FEESA marks the next step in KBC's growth strategy to expand into the upstream oil and gas industry. Key benefits of the transaction include:



· KBC now being able to offer profit improvement and business transformation programmes, underpinned by technology, across the full hydrocarbon value chain. FEESA's Maximus™ software, when integrated with KBC's Multiflash™ and Petro-SIM Production™ technologies, completes the KBC software simulation suite from reservoir through to refinery.



· KBC's consulting services moving further upstream. FEESA brings to KBC a leading position in the provision of specialised software and consulting for the development and production segments of the upstream oil and gas industry. Its Maximus software is a well-established oil and gas well bore and production pipeline modelling system and is accompanied by an expert flow assurance consulting team that has helped leading operators in the world solve complicated production challenges.



· A simple integration of this capability into KBC's platform as Maximus already uses KBC's Multiflash PVT engine for its component and chemistry predictions and has been further integrated with KBC's Petro-SIM Production simulator to provide life cycle value through wells, pipelines and processing facilities.



· Sales of Maximus and associated consulting benefiting from KBC's existing international customer relationships as well as its sales and marketing channels.



The flow assurance market in oil and gas development is growing strongly as oil and gas companies seek to explore further and deeper offshore to maintain reserves and production. The combination of KBC's and FEESA's technologies and consulting allows an oilfield service company or an upstream operator to understand the full impact of changes within reservoir management and production optimisation programmes in order to achieve improved efficiency in field development worth hundreds of millions of dollars.



The acquisition has been funded from the Group's recent equity placing and is expected to be earnings enhancing for the Group in the first full year of ownership. The cash consideration for the acquisition is £10 million, payable on completion. The equity consideration for the acquisition is one million (1,000,000) new ordinary shares in KBC ranking equally with the existing share capital of KBC. Half of these consideration shares are subject to selling restrictions for 12 months from the date of acquisition with the remainder restricted for a further 12 months. Application will be made for the shares to be admitted to trading on AIM, with admission of the shares expected to occur on 28 July 2014.



In its financial year to 31 March 2014 FEESA reported a profit before tax of £0.5 million on revenues of £2.3 million,



The two founding shareholders of FEESA, Dr Martin Watson and Dr Neil Hawkes, who will remain active in the business, will hold senior positions within the enlarged Group following acquisition and will be focused on increasing KBC's upstream consulting and technology revenue as well as further establishing Maximus, Multiflash and Petro-SIM as standards for the industry.



Dr Martin Watson, Managing Director at FEESA, commented,



"KBC offers FEESA an environment for growth and leverage with a first class Technical Consulting reputation and an innovative software development culture. We have been impressed with the results from KBC's Infochem acquisition and feel a triangulation of the three businesses offers the oil and gas industry very compelling value in the design, development and operation of oil and gas fields."



Ian Godden, KBC's Executive Chairman, added,



"We are very pleased to welcome FEESA's respected technology and consulting team to the Group. This important acquisition adds further critical mass in consulting for the upstream market segment and in the software business to help KBC to achieve its stated objective of increasing revenue from these areas.



"This strategic acquisition enables KBC to span the entire hydrocarbon value chain with technical and business transformation consulting underpinned by deep software IP. We expect the software business in particular to benefit from the synergies of an enhanced value suite applicable to the upstream sector.



"The recent share placing demonstrates the support of KBC's shareholders for our current strategy of investment for growth and this acquisition affirms KBC's ability to deliver on that journey."



-Ends-

Pre-close trading update

RNS


RNS Number : 5539N

KBC Advanced Technologies plc

29 July 2014






Embargoed until 0700 29 July 2014



KBC Advanced Technologies plc



("KBC" or "the Group")



Trading Update

KBC is pleased to announce the following trading update in relation to the half year results for the six months ended 30 June 2014 that will be released in September.

Since our AGM statement in June, KBC has continued to make good progress in both its Consulting and Technology divisions.

Following our first half trading, where profits are expected to be on track notwithstanding adverse currency movements, the Board is confident that the Group's performance for the full year will be in line with its expectations.

Interim results 23 Sept

Half Yearly Report

RNS


RNS Number : 3127S

KBC Advanced Technologies plc

23 September 2014










Embargoed until 0700 hrs 23 September 2014



KBC Advanced Technologies plc

("KBC", the "Company" or the "Group")

Half year results for the six months ended 30 June 2014



KBC Advanced Technologies plc, a leading consultancy and software provider to the upstream and downstream hydrocarbon industries, today announces its half year results for the six months ended 30 June 2014.



HIGHLIGHTS

- Strong operational and financial performance

- Revenue up 9% to £34.4m (H1 2013: £31.7m)

- Profit before tax of £2.9m (H1 2013: £2.9m)

- Adjusted for exchange rate movements, profit before tax grew 64% to £3.6m (H1 2013: £2.2m)

- Consulting margin increased to 5% in first half year (2013: 0%), a benefit realised from the earlier reorganisation and revised focus

- Placing in May raised £24.0m (gross) to fund software acquisitions and support larger and broader contracts

- Significant strategic acquisition post period end enables KBC now to offer programmes across the full hydrocarbon chain

- Continuing good level of contract awards since period end

- Board remains confident of meeting its full year expectations

Ian Godden, Executive Chairman of KBC, commented:

"KBC has continued to deliver on its strategy during the first half of 2014. The Company has focused on growing its Technology business, particularly in the upstream sector, improving its Consulting business in terms of both profitability and growth, expansion in the Middle East, South America and Asia, and keeping strong control of costs and overheads. This focus has led to a significant increase in Group profit before tax and foreign exchange movements.

The second half of 2014 has started well and the Group has been awarded a number of significant software contracts since June. The Consulting pipeline for larger projects is growing and recent contract wins in South America, the Middle East and Asia provide good prospects for the future. We expect full year results to be in line with the Board's expectations."



- Ends -

29/09/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 25,000
26/09/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 50,000
24/09/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 135,000

Signal Update

Our system’s recommendation today is to BUY. The BULLISH HARAMI pattern finally received a confirmation because the prices crossed above the confirmation level which was at 90.0000, and our valid average buying price stands now at 90.1000. The previous SHORT signal was issued on 30/10/2014, 4 days ago, when the stock price was 90.0250. Since then KBC.L has risen by +0.08%.

Market Outlook

The bulls have strong evidence on their side and this evidence prompts us to make a bullish bet. The bullish pattern that was previously identified is finally confirmed and a BUY signal is generated. It is probably the right time to be part of this boost and bullish market sentiment. The market is telling you about a possible new profit. Do not miss this chance.

http://www.britishbulls.com/SignalPage.aspx?lang=en&Ticker=KBC.L

Contract Award

RNS


RNS Number : 5462Y

KBC Advanced Technologies plc

02 December 2014












Embargoed until 0700 hrs 2 December 2014





KBC Advanced Technologies plc ("KBC") announces

$48.6 million Consulting contract award for an extension to the Operational Excellence project with a South American oil and gas company



KBC is pleased to announce a two year contract award from a South American oil and gas company. This contract constitutes an expansion and extension of an existing relationship. The contract will see KBC immediately expand its support to the refinery with a focus on providing operational readiness and management support for the upcoming revamping of its facilities. The focus of this support is to ensure both the effectiveness of the organisation in managing these activities and in ensuring the safety of personnel in the facility.



The contract is worth more than US$48.6 million to KBC over a 24 month period and extends the current contractual relationship to 2018. This represents a deepening of KBC's relationship with the client in its pursuit of Operational Excellence and is a direct reflection of the success the partnership has had to date in improving plant performance.



Ian Godden, Executive Chairman, commented, "This is the third largest award in the Company's history and gives us excellent revenue visibility into 2015 and beyond."



Kevin Smith, Managing Partner, Consulting, at KBC, added, "KBC has a unique combination of skillsets and supporting software that allows it to effectively drive improvements in production for its clients. This award reflects the client's continued trust in our ability to deliver on our commitments and is a direct result of the great work by the combined KBC/client team."



-Ends-

sorry , wrong thread thought it was KFC

08/12/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 50,000
05/12/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 50,000
03/12/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 100,000

15/12/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 349,825
08/12/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 50,000
05/12/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 50,000
03/12/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 100,000
20/11/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 15,000

Contract Award

RNS


RNS Number : 5221A

KBC Advanced Technologies plc

23 December 2014












Embargoed until 0700 hrs 23 December 2014





KBC Advanced Technologies plc ("KBC") announces

£3.3 million contract for upstream software with a major oil field services company



KBC is pleased to announce a seven year contract with a major European based oil field services company for the licensing of KBC's upstream simulation portfolio. This contract covers Maximus™, Multiflash™ and Petro-SIM™ for use by the client in oil and gas engineering projects and studies and reflects the value in KBC's suite of technology from reservoir chemistry through well bore and pipeline modelling to process facilities simulation.



The contract is worth £3.3 million to KBC over a seven year period and combines the newly acquired (July 2014) FEESA Maximus technology for well bore and pipeline modelling with KBC's Multiflash and Petro-SIM software. Multiflash was acquired with the Infochem acquisition in June 2012 and is the standard used by an expanding number of oil and oil field service companies. The contract is also for a substantial number of Petro-SIM licenses for use in life of facility and production optimisation analysis by the client.



Andrew Howell, Managing Director of Technology and Chief Executive Officer designate, commented, "This represents a very significant contract for our technology in upstream oil and gas and we are particularly pleased to see the products from our newest acquisition having an immediate impact when bundled with our existing offerings. The contract win follows a number of other technology contract awards of note in the fourth quarter in the United States, Thailand and Vietnam. It is encouraging to see strong demand for KBC's technology products supporting KBC's focus on being a key software player in the hydrocarbon industries."



-Ends-

02/01/2015 BUY Oliver Scott NED 35,000
29/12/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 50,000
18/12/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 50,000
15/12/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 349,825
08/12/2014 BUY Oliver Scott NED 50,000