Economy

Turkish billionaire Aydin Dogan plans to use $700 million cash pile for acquisitions

(Bloomberg) –Turkish billionaire Aydin Dogan plans to use the $700 million cash pile he gained from the sale of his media business on domestic and overseas acquisitions.

The 83-year-old’s holding company, which owns and operates Trump Towers in Istanbul, is looking at domestic manufacturers of car parts, chemicals and packaging, as well as global assets to expand its steel-wire maker Celik Halat ve Tel Sanayii AS and steering-systems producer Ditas Dogan Yedek Parca AS, the firm’s Chief Executive Officer Caglar Gogus said in an interview.

“We’re in hot talks for four or five assets in car parts, chemicals and packaging industries,” said Gogus, who became CEO last December. “We’re in no rush but can complete one deal this year or in the first quarter of next year.”

Dogan Sirketler Grubu Holding AS, which has interests in energy, real estate and tourism, is seeking new avenues of growth after it hived off its media assets last year for almost $1 billion. The holdings, which included CNNTurk TV station and Turkey’s most influential daily newspaper, had put the tycoon in constant battle with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Dogan is following the business model of Sweden’s Kinnevik AB, an investment holding firm managing assets in various industries, Gogus said.

“We want Dogan Holding to have assets not only with strong dividend potential but also with strong capital gains potential,” Gogus said. The group isn’t considering assets valued less than $50 million, he said.

Dogan Holding, a 33% shareholder in a hydropower producer which earlier this year restructured debt, is also considering more renewable energy investments, the CEO said. It will use its Galata Wind unit to increase power capacity to more than 400 megawatts from 265 megawatts, he said.

International Partnerships

“When we reach a portfolio of such a capacity we can grow further through international partnerships,” Gogus said.

The group has already been busy. It acquired Trump Towers last last year from an associated firm for 850 million liras ($150 million) and revamped the mall to attract more young entrepreneurs.

Dogan Holding is also said to be in talks to buy the distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles to add to its stable that already sells Suzuki, Piaggio and Paccar vehicles. The firm has also applied for a license to start an investment bank after years of being absent from the banking industry.

The group may need four to five months after the license is granted to fully establish the bank, Gogus said.

More highlights from the interview:

Dogan Holding is aiming to raise the international investor ownership in its free float to as much as 80% from around 50% through non-deal roadshows planned for the U.K in November and Prague in December.
Roadshows are planned in the first quarter of next year also for Celik Halat, Ditas and Milpa.
The company may consider selling bonds in international markets once foreign ownership reaches its desired levels.
Company plans to expand its second-hand car market business, as well as digital businesses, such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc.-backed online real estate unit Hurriyet Emlak and music channel operator netd Muzik.
The group aims to keep its cash position strong going forward.