Max Bupa set to become one of the first to benefit from new insurance FDI Limited

Max India set for mega corporate restructuring

Demerges into 3 business verticals – Life Insurance, Health & Allied businesses and Manufacturing Industries

The Board of Max India Ltd, approved a Corporate Restructuring plan to vertically split the company through a demerger, into three separate listed companies, to give investors specific and undiluted access to its diverse lines of businesses, provide sharper focus to each underlying business, and unlock shareholder value. The Board also approved divestment of its clinical research business.

Upon completion of the demerger, the existing company, Max India Limited, is proposed to be renamed ‘Max Financial Services Limited’ (MFS) upon demerger and will focus solely on the group’s flagship life insurance activity, through its 72.1% shareholding in Max Life, making it the first Indian listed company exclusively focused on life insurance. The Insurance Amendment Ordinance, recently promulgated by the President of India, and widely expected to be approved as an Act, has created renewed investor interest in the life insurance sector.

Upon completion of the demerger it is proposed to name the second vertical Max India Limited, which will continue to manage investments in the high potential Health and Allied businesses, essentially comprising : – Max Healthcare, Max Bupa, Antara Senior Living and supported by a Corporate Management Services team. The demerger will provide these businesses, which are currently in their growth and development phases, sharpened focus to fulfil their tremendous potential. The Corporate Management Services team will manage a shared services centre, which will provide functional support to all 3 verticals.

The third vertical will house the investment activity in the group’s manufacturing subsidiary, Max Speciality Films – an innovation leader in the Speciality Packaging Films business – and will be named Max Ventures and Industries Limited (MVIL). Set-up in 1989, the Speciality Packaging Films business has been consistently profitable. It recorded revenues of Rs. 746 Cr. and profit of Rs. 14 Cr in FY2014. The Prime Minister’s new initiative ‘Make in India’ is set to provide fresh impetus to this business and for this vertical, to start looking at fresh ideas in the ‘wider world of business’.

Max India has also initiated action for the divestment of its entire 100% stake in the clinical research business. Max Neeman entities in India and United States are proposed to be divested to a Canadian Contract Research Organization (CRO), JSS Medical Research Inc., for a consideration of US$ 1.5 Million, subject to successful completion of due diligence and signing of definitive agreements, expected by mid-February.

Once the demerger scheme is effective, after due regulatory approvals, Max India’s shareholders will retain one equity share of Rs 2/- in Max Financial Services Limited and will additionally get one equity share of Rs. 2/- each of Max India Limited for every one equity share of Rs. 2/- each held in Max Financial Services, and one equity share of Rs. 10/- each of Max Ventures and Industries Limited for every 5 equity shares of Rs. 2/- each held in Max Financial Services.

Max India currently has cash reserves of Rs. 605 Cr. as at December 31, 2014. It is proposed to split the cash reserves as on Appointed Date of April 1, 2015 between the 3 listed companies such that Max Financial Services Limited will hold Rs. 150 Cr., Max Ventures and Industries Limited will hold Rs. 10 Cr. and the balance, likely to be over Rs. 400 Cr., will be held by the newly formed Max India Limited.

The top leadership of Max India – Analjit Singh (Chairman), Rahul Khosla (Managing Director) and Mohit Talwar (Deputy Managing Director) – will continue in their roles and upon demerger, will continue to hold appropriate roles in the demerged entities of the Max group. The top leadership of the Max group’s operating companies will continue in their respective roles – Rajesh Sud, MD and CEO of Max Life and Chairman, Max Bupa, Rajit Mehta, DMD of Max Healthcare, Tara Singh Vachani, CEO of Antara, Jaideep Wadhwa, CEO of MSF and Mohini Daljeet Singh, Chief Executive of Max India Foundation.

Setting the context for the demerger, Analjit Singh, Chairman, Max India Ltd, said “The new government is setting a rapid pace for economic reforms. This structural reconfiguration readies us to capitalize on opportunities created by the anticipated all round growth acceleration and to henceforth look at the wider world of business opportunities.”

Explaining the rationale for the demerger, he added “Our bouquet of businesses is diverse, but each has considerable value and growth potential. This demerger will provide investors with a choice to continue to be associated with all these businesses, or only specifically invest in the set of businesses that suit their respective investment philosophy. For instance, the high growth healthcare business is poised to add significant additional capacity in future. The health insurance and senior living business are less than 5 years in operation and need significant focus, attention and capital, while the relatively mature business of life insurance provides a balance of growth and profitability.”

The Appointed Date for the demerger is April 1, 2015, and the demerger is expected to be completed within the next six to nine months.

The proposed demerger is subject to approval by Max India shareholders, its creditors and relevant regulatory authorities.

About Max India

Max India Group is a leading Indian multi-business corporate with a commanding presence in the Life Insurance, Healthcare and Health insurance sectors. In the financial year 2014, the Group recorded a consolidated turnover of Rs 117 billion. It has a total customer base of around 8 million, over 300 offices spread across India and people strength of around 18,000 as on 31st March 2014. Max India Limited is a widely held company, listed on the BSE and the NSE. Its founder sponsor Analjit Singh holds 40.5% stake in the company. Other shareholders include some of world’s best Institutional Investors such as Goldman Sachs, Temasek, IFC (Washington), Fidelity and New York Life.

For more details contact:

Nitin Thakur

Head – Communications
Max India
Max House, Okhla – III,
New Delhi-110 020
Tele # 2693 3601-10 extn. 196
Cell # +91 9873347428
E-mail: nthakur@maxindia.com

Anisha Rakyan

Cell # +91 9811024077

E-mail: arakyan@maxindia.com

Garima Sharma

Cell # +91 9899175275

E-mail: Garima.Sharma@text100.co.in

Ritika Singh

Cell # +91 9654971565

E-mail: Ritika.Singh@text100.co.in