[6-K] RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC /FI Current Report (Foreign Issuer)
Rentokil Initial has completed the sale of its France Workwear business to H.I.G. Capital for an enterprise value of €410m (c.$480m) on a cash-free, debt-free basis, including an earn-out of up to €30m (c.$35m) tied to 2026 performance. Total net cash proceeds are expected to be around €370m (c.$435m), subject to the final earn-out outcome. Proceeds will be deployed according to Rentokil's balanced model: reducing debt, funding organic investment in the core business, and pursuing complementary bolt-on M&A.
The company says the disposal further streamlines Rentokil into a Pest Control and Hygiene & Wellbeing group, lowering annual capital expenditure needs and improving cash conversion margin by about 100 basis points. After completion, revenue mix is expected to be roughly 85% Pest Control and 15% Hygiene & Wellbeing. France Workwear was reported as a discontinued operation in HY25 and in FY24 generated $324m of revenue, $57m of adjusted operating profit and had $93m of capital expenditure.
- Completed disposal of non-core asset for €410m enterprise value, unlocking ~€370m net cash proceeds
- Expected ~100 basis point improvement in cash conversion margin due to lower capex
- Clearer strategic focus with pro forma revenue mix of ~85% Pest Control and ~15% Hygiene & Wellbeing
- Proceeds allocated to deleveraging and growth consistent with the company's balanced model
- Final proceeds contingent on up to €30m earn-out tied to 2026 performance
- Filing lacks pro forma leverage and explicit uses of proceeds with numerical targets
- Transaction reduces diversification by exiting the Workwear segment, concentrating revenue risk
Insights
TL;DR: The divestment monetizes a non-core asset, strengthens the balance sheet, and sharpens strategic focus on higher-margin core services.
The sale at €410m enterprise value with expected net cash proceeds of ~€370m materially reduces capital intensity for Rentokil and provides immediate liquidity for deleveraging and targeted reinvestment. The stated ~100bp improvement in cash conversion margin and a shift to ~85% Pest Control revenue mix indicate clearer operational focus and potentially higher recurring cash flows. The €30m earn-out aligns seller and buyer on near-term performance, but final proceeds depend on 2026 results. For acquirers, H.I.G. gains a business with FY24 revenue of $324m and $57m adjusted operating profit, suggesting mid-single-digit operating margins before synergies or restructuring.
TL;DR: Transaction is balance-sheet positive and simplifies Rentokil's capital allocation, though proceeds are contingent on an earn-out.
The company will receive ~€370m net cash proceeds subject to earn-out, which management says will be used to reduce leverage and fund growth. Removing a business that had $93m of FY24 capex will materially lower capital expenditure needs and could improve free cash flow conversion. The classification of France Workwear as discontinued operations formalizes the exit for reporting clarity. Missing from the filing are pro forma leverage metrics and explicit targets for post-deal net debt or planned M&A sizing, which would help quantify the balance-sheet impact.