Cordiant Digital Infrastructure has updated investors on its acquisition of Emitel, operational performance of CRA, sales progress at DataGryd, and an update on its pipeline.
Emitel
Emitel is a multi-asset digital infrastructure business based in Poland. It operates a network of communication towers, fibre-optics and a nationwide sensor network, serving major utilities. Cordiant Digital has received anti-trust approval from the Polish authorities for the acquisition. This represents an important step in a multi-stage government and regulatory approvals process.
Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops, the Polish Zloty has weakened against the Pound and has shown increased volatility. Consequently, the company is in the process of implementing a prudent currency risk management strategy.
Emitel and CRA are supporting the delivery of television and radio channels in Ukrainian across their respective geographies, in order to provide Ukrainian refugees with important updates on the Russian invasion, administrative information and entertainment. Cordiant Digital’s assets do not have any commercial exposure to Ukraine, Belarus or Russian counterparties.
DataGryd
Since completing the acquisition of leading US interconnect data centre operator, DataGryd, in January, new heads of sales and marketing have joined the team. In the few weeks since the acquisition, the qualified pipeline of new sales opportunities has increased by ca. 85%, a reflection of the new ownership stability at the company. In addition, the marketing team is in the midst of a comprehensive corporate rebranding that reflects the strategic interconnect nature of the asset.
The company has plans to deploy $75m in expanding the facilities. This will be undertaken on a phased basis over the coming quarters.
CRA
CRA – which operates over 660 towers, 6 edge data centres, 3730 kilometres of fibreoptic network and a nationwide Internet of Things networks, serving major utilities – continues to generate new sales opportunities across its various business lines. For example, it recently signed a 10 year network backbone contract extension, secured an expansion of data centre services to a major retailer and is experiencing strong customer interest related to 5G rollout on its mobile towers.
Pipeline and acquisition finance
Cordiant Digital’s pipeline of qualified opportunities has continued to grow, and now exceeds €3bn. Geographically this pipeline is roughly equally split between North America and Western Europe. In order to support this pipeline, Cordiant Digital has advanced conversations with lenders regarding a structured acquisition borrowing facility.
CORD : Cordiant Digital seeks debt finance to continue roll-out