Taoping Signs Non-binding Letter of Intent to Acquire Yunti; Transformational Acquisition Would Substantially Improve Taoping's Annual Revenue, Expand its Addressable Market, and Leverage its Current Portfolio

Rhea-AI Summary

Taoping Inc. (TAOP) has signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire 100% of Shenzhen Yunti Internet of Things, a Smart elevator solutions provider. The acquisition would be executed through share exchange, with Yunti shareholders receiving newly issued TAOP ordinary shares. Founded in 2016, Yunti offers end-to-end Smart elevator solutions and operates two core platforms: the SaaS-based 'Tishibao' elevator management Cloud service and 'Tishibang', China's first private market elevator Internet service platform.

The deal targets China's elevator market, which is expected to reach 10.6 million units by end-2023, with an industry market size exceeding 494.3 billion RMB. The transaction is subject to due diligence, definitive agreement, board approval, and regulatory clearances, with an expected closing timeline of 12 months.

Positive

• Expansion into China's large elevator equipment market worth 494.3 billion RMB
• Access to Yunti's established SaaS platforms and customer base
• Potential revenue growth through entry into Smart elevator solutions
• Strategic alignment with existing Smart City portfolio

Negative

• No guaranteed completion as letter of intent is non-binding
• Potential shareholder dilution through new share issuance
• 12-month timeline for deal completion indicates lengthy integration period
• Transaction subject to multiple approval conditions and due diligence

Insights

Financial Analyst

This non-binding LOI for Yunti's acquisition represents a potentially significant strategic move for Taoping, targeting China's massive 494.3 billion RMB elevator equipment market. The deal structure involving stock-for-stock exchange suggests minimal cash impact but potential dilution for existing shareholders. While the market opportunity is compelling with over 10.6 million installed elevators in China, several critical uncertainties exist: no defined valuation, pending due diligence and regulatory approvals. Yunti's SaaS-based revenue model and full-service elevator management platform could provide recurring revenue streams and higher margins, but integration risks and execution challenges remain. The lack of specific financial metrics from Yunti makes it difficult to assess the true value proposition.

Tech Expert

Yunti's technology stack presents compelling synergies with Taoping's smart city solutions. The SaaS platforms "Tishibao" and "Tishibang" demonstrate modern cloud-native architecture targeting the digital transformation of traditional elevator maintenance. The integration of IoT sensors, predictive maintenance capabilities and full-scenario service delivery platform shows technical maturity. The business model combining insurance with professional services through a cloud platform creates multiple revenue touchpoints. However, success will depend on seamless platform integration with Taoping's existing systems and the ability to scale the technology infrastructure to support nationwide operations.

Market Research Analyst

The strategic rationale aligns with the digital transformation trend in China's urban infrastructure. The elevator equipment and maintenance sector represents a stable, growing market with regulatory tailwinds supporting safety and modernization. Yunti's position as an early mover in elevator IoT services provides competitive advantages. The combination could accelerate market penetration by leveraging Taoping's existing smart city relationships and Yunti's specialized elevator management platform. However, competition from established elevator manufacturers and other tech companies entering this space could pressure margins. The success of this venture will largely depend on post-merger execution and market adoption rates.

SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Taoping Inc. (Nasdaq: TAOP, the "Company"), a provider of innovative smart cloud platform services and solutions, new media and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, today announced that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire 100% of the equity of Shenzhen Yunti Internet of Things Co., Ltd. ("Yunti"), a Chinese company based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. Taoping's acquisition of Yunti, if consummated, is expected to open new revenue growth opportunities for the Company, while further consolidating and expanding the Company's market share in the lucrative elevator equipment and service industry.

Under the letter of intent, Yunti's shareholders agree to transfer their ownership of Yunti to the Company in exchange for newly issued ordinary shareholders of the Company. The final valuation and timeline of the acquisition will be determined based on a mutually agreed upon independent third party's comprehensive evaluation of Yunti. The parties expect to close and integrate the acquisition over the next 12 months. The non-binding letter of intent does not create an obligation on the part of either party to consummate any transaction.  The proposed transaction is subject to a definitive agreement to be negotiated between the parties, conditioned upon further financial and legal due diligence and approval of the Company's Board of Directors, as well as other customary closing conditions, such as any required regulatory approvals. There is no assurance that any transaction will be concluded.

Founded in 2016, Yunti is a privately held, Shenzhen-based company qualified to provide an end to end Smart elevator solution, integrating sales, installation, repair and maintenance. Yunti is known for developing a robust SaaS platform, which effectively delivers innovative services targeted at China's installed base of an estimated more than 10 million elevators. With a unique, full-scenario business model that combines a customizable, feature rich SaaS platform, Yunti has rapidly grown its customer base in providing full-scenario elevator services, with a portfolio of innovative products specifically designed to meet the needs of China's Smart Elevator ecosystem. Core platforms include Yunti's SaaS-based "Tishibao" elevator management Cloud service platform, and "Tishibang", China's first private market elevator Internet service platform. Through its SaaS platform and business model of insurance plus professional services, Yunti is able to capture revenue from both monitoring and maintenance throughout the entire elevator operation process, while being ideally positioned to promote the digital transformation of traditional equipment operation and maintenance management, and comprehensively improve operation and maintenance efficiency and service quality.

According to the State Administration for Market Regulation, the number of elevators in China was expected to reach more than 10.6 million by the end of 2023. At the same time, according to data from the China Elevator Industry Business Yearbook, the market size of China's elevator equipment industry continues to expand having exceeded 494.3 billion RMB in 2023.

Mr. Jianghuai Lin, Chairman and CEO of Taoping, commented, "As part of our active M&A process, we evaluated a series of potential transactions, with a priority on long-term potential, valuation, and alignment with building shareholder value. We are excited about the proposed acquisition of Yunti, which aligns strategically with our Smart City product portfolio, customer base, and geographic footprint. Upon deal closure and integration, we anticipate that this transaction will position our business to expand into higher growth, more profitable segments in the huge Chinese elevator equipment industry, with even more attractive long-term demand catalysts. We believe this transaction would be equally transformational for all shareholders, with extensive new opportunities opened that would drive meaningful value creation."

About Taoping Inc.

Taoping Inc. (Nasdaq: TAOP) has a long history of successfully leveraging technology in the development of innovative solutions to help customers in both the private and public sectors to more effectively communicate and market to their desired targets. The Company has built a far-reaching city partner ecosystem and comprehensive portfolio of high-value, high-traffic areas for its products, which are aligned together with Taoping's smart cloud platform, cloud services and solutions, new media and artificial intelligence. For more information about Taoping, please visit http://en.taop.com. You can also follow us on X.

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SOURCE Taoping Inc.

FAQ

What is the size of China's elevator market that TAOP is targeting through Yunti acquisition?

China's elevator market is expected to reach 10.6 million units by end-2023, with an industry market size exceeding 494.3 billion RMB.

What are the key products offered by Yunti that TAOP would acquire?

Yunti offers two core platforms: the SaaS-based 'Tishibao' elevator management Cloud service platform and 'Tishibang', China's first private market elevator Internet service platform.

How will TAOP pay for the Yunti acquisition?

TAOP plans to acquire Yunti through a share exchange, where Yunti shareholders will receive newly issued ordinary shares of TAOP.

When is the Yunti acquisition by TAOP expected to close?

The parties expect to close and integrate the acquisition over the next 12 months, subject to due diligence, definitive agreement, and required approvals.