G4S plc ArmorGroup International plc Offer unconditional as to acceptances
Recommended cash offer for ArmorGroup International plc by G4S (March 2008) Limited
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of G4S plc)
Offer unconditional as to acceptances
On 20 March 2008, the boards of G4S plc (“G4S”) and ArmorGroup International plc (“ArmorGroup”) announced they had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to be made by G4S (March 2008) Limited (“Bidco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of G4S, to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of ArmorGroup (the "Offer"). The Offer Document was posted to ArmorGroup Shareholders on 31 March 2008.
The board of Bidco announces that the acceptance condition set out in paragraph 1(a) of Part A of Appendix I to the Offer Document has been satisfied and that the Offer is now unconditional as to acceptances. The Offer is extended and will remain open for acceptance until further notice.
The Offer is subject to a number of other conditions as set out in paragraphs 1(b)-(j) (inclusive) of Part A to Appendix I of the Offer Document, all of which remain outstanding. In accordance with the Code, all conditions must be fulfilled, or the Offer must lapse, on or before 12 May 2008, unless the Panel consents to an extension.
Level of acceptances and interests
As at 1.00 pm (London time) on 21 April 2008 (the “First Closing Date”), Bidco had received valid acceptances of the Offer in respect of a total of 49,752,337 ArmorGroup Shares, representing approximately 93.12 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of ArmorGroup, the subject of the Offer. Accordingly, the acceptance condition set out in paragraph 1(a) of Part A of Appendix I to the Offer Document has been satisfied.
Bidco has received acceptances in respect of 1,231,049 ArmorGroup Shares (representing approximately 2.30 per cent. of ArmorGroup’s existing issued ordinary share capital) which were subject to irrevocable undertakings procured by Bidco from the ArmorGroup Directors (and in the case of Noel Philp and Christopher Beese MBE, from the trustees of their beneficially held trusts).
In addition, Bidco has received acceptances in respect of 30,058,645 ArmorGroup Shares (representing approximately 56.26 per cent. of ArmorGroup’s existing issued ordinary share capital) which were subject to irrevocable undertakings procured by Bidco from certain ArmorGroup Shareholders.
Save as disclosed in this announcement, neither Bidco nor G4S, nor any person acting in concert with Bidco and/or G4S, had an interest in or had any rights to subscribe for any relevant securities of ArmorGroup nor had any short position or any arrangement in relation to any relevant securities of ArmorGroup.
For these purposes, "arrangement" includes any agreement to sell or any delivery obligation or option arrangement or right to require another person to purchase or take delivery of any relevant securities of ArmorGroup and any borrowing or lending of any relevant securities of ArmorGroup which have not been on-lent or sold and any outstanding irrevocable undertaking with respect to any relevant securities of ArmorGroup.
Further Acceptance
Forms of Acceptance not yet returned should be completed and returned in accordance with the instructions set out in the Offer Document and in the Form of Acceptance so as to be received as soon as possible.
Additional Forms of Acceptance are available from Capita Registrars by telephoning 0871 664 0321 from within the UK (or from outside the United Kingdom by telephoning +44 20 8639 3399) between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm (London time) Monday to Friday (except UK public holidays). If ArmorGroup Shares are held through CREST, acceptance should be made electronically so that the TTE instruction settles as soon as possible.
Save where defined in this announcement, terms defined in the Offer Document have the same meaning in this announcement.
Enquiries:
G4S | Tel: +44 (0) 1293 554400 | |
Debbie McGrath (Group Communications Director) |
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Helen Parris (Director of Investor Relations) |
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Greenhill (financial adviser toG4S) |
Tel: +44 (0)20 7198 4700 | |
Simon Borrows | ||
David Wyles | ||
Ben Loomes |
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Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial (PR adviser to G4S) |
Tel: +44 (0)20 7861 3030 | |
Stephen Benzikie | ||
Olly Scott |
Greenhill, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for G4S and Bidco and no-one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than G4S or Bidco for providing the protections afforded to clients of Greenhill nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer, the content of this announcement, or any transaction, arrangement or matter referenced herein.
The G4S Directors and the Bidco Directors accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the G4S Directors and the Bidco Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
This Announcement is not intended to and does not constitute, or form any part of, an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale, issue or transfer of the securities referred to in this announcement in any jurisdiction in contravention of any applicable law. The Offer is being made solely by means of the Offer Document and, in the case of certificated ArmorGroup Shares, the Form of Acceptance accompanying the Offer Document.
This Announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia). The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Offer in the United States is made pursuant to an exemption from certain US tender offer rules provided by Rule 14(d)-1(c) under the U.S. Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), if available.
The availability of the Offer to ArmorGroup Shareholders who are citizens or residents of jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of their relevant jurisdiction. Such persons should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their jurisdiction. If you remain in any doubt, you should consult your professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.
Any acceptance or other response to the Offer should be made only on the basis of information referred to in the Offer Document.