Nov 26 (Reuters) - British banknote printer De La Rue , whose roots stretch back nearly 200 years, on Tuesday warned its future was in doubt, wiping almost a quarter off the company’s value.
From printing cash during World War Two to developing the world’s first cash machine, here are some of the milestones in the company’s history:
London-listed De La Rue cut its profit forecast for the second time in five months days after appointing turnaround specialist Clive Vacher as CEO.
UK Serious Fraud Office opened a criminal investigation over “suspected corruption” in South Sudan, where De La Rue had won a contract to print the country’s currency.
De La Rue warned of a profit downturn this year and said its CEO Martin Sutherland would step down, triggering a 29% fall in shares.
Activist investor Crystal Amber said here the company was "highly vulnerable" to a takeover.
Company lost here a contract to make new blue British passports after Brexit to Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto.
Company where a contract to supply currency to newly independent South Sudan.
Britain's air force delivered here 40 tonnes of Libyan dinars, printed by the company, to the country's new rulers following the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.
France's Oberthur Technologies walked here away from a bid for the company.
De La Rue won a ten-year contract to produce the UK passport and the Bank of England renewed the contract to print sterling.
De La Rue where the main contract to produce banknotes for Iraq after Saddam Hussein's death.
Company signed a seven-year contract to supply sterling for the Bank of England, taking over the bank’s manufacturing operation
Jointly developed and installed the world’s first ATM outside Barclays Bank in Enfield, UK.
Marketed banknote counting machine.
Listed in London.
During World War Two, De La Rue printed currency for some occupied countries, which was hidden in a quarry until the end of the war.
China places its first order for currency.
Supplied to the Confederate States the only American stamp to be produced abroad: the Five Cents Blue.
Printed its first paper money - the Mauritius 5 pound, 1 pound and 10 shilling notes.
Founder Thomas de la Rue set up in London, making straw hats before producing stationery, playing cards, railway tickets and stamps over next decades.
Founder launched his first commercial venture, Le Miroir Politique newspaper in Guernsey.
Source: Reuters stories and company website here
$1 = 0.7794 pounds Reporting by Tanishaa Nadkar in Bengaluru. Editing by Josephine Mason and Jane Merriman
