In a statement today, Takaso said it inked a conditional share sale agreement with A.W. Impian Land Sdn Bhd today for the deal with the vendors, Tan Teck Ang and Chen Ling Wah.

Takaso, a manufacturer of baby products, condoms and toys, said the acquisition is part of its plan to diversify its business into the property development sector, which it sees as the game-changer for the group.

“We are very pleased to have found this opportunity at a very good price and valuation. There are always opportunities during times of  crisis.

“Moving forward, property development will be the key driver in turning around Takaso,” said its executive director Billy Ong Kah  Hoe.

Ong added that Takaso would be submitting an amendment on the development order for the project, which has already been approved by the local   council.

“With the amendments, the new development will consist of three blocks of three storeys of town houses with common facilities that will make up 39 units in total, subject to approvals from the relevant government authority,” he  said.

He said the proposed development is expected to commence in a year, and expected to be completed  in three years.

In its filing to Bursa Malaysia, the group further reasoned that the move would balance its income stream from non-traditional sources and lessen any future negative industry impact on its traditional  business industry.

“Currently, Takaso’s businesses are very much dependent on global demand trends and economic outlook.

“The acquisition would balance out the over reliance on this as the construction and property development industry in Malaysia is consistently seen to be robust due to the investment preference  of locals and even certain foreigners in preferring local real estate investments,” Takaso said.

The acquisition will be funded by a mix of internally generated funds and/or bank borrowings.

Takaso fell 1.5 sen or 3.03% to close at 48 sen today, with a market capitalisation of RM101.8 million. – The Edge Markets, September 29, 2015.