Neles Corporation Stock Exchange Release 19 October 2020 at 8:15 p.m.
THIS STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE MAY NOT BE RELEASED, PUBLISHED OR OTHERWISE DISTRIBUTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA, OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE TENDER OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE SECTION ENTITLED “IMPORTANT INFORMATION” BELOW.
The Board of Directors of Neles Corporation supplements its statement regarding the recommended voluntary public cash tender offer by Alfa Laval AB (publ)
On 13 July 2020, Alfa Laval AB (publ) (“Alfa Laval” or the “Offeror”) announced that it will make a voluntary recommended public cash tender offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares in Neles Corporation (“Neles” or the "Company") that are not held by Neles or any of its subsidiaries (the "Shares") (the “Tender Offer”). Alfa Laval has published a tender offer document, dated 12 August 2020, concerning the Tender Offer, and supplemented it on 1 October 2020 and 16 October 2020 (together with the supplements, the “Tender Offer Document”). The offer price in the Tender Offer is EUR 11.50 in cash for each Share in Neles validly tendered into the Tender Offer (the “Offer Price”).
The Board of Directors of Neles (the "Board of Directors") has on 12 August 2020 issued a statement (the "Statement") concerning the Tender Offer in accordance with Chapter 11, Section 13 of the Finnish Securities Market Act (746/2012, as amended). The Statement has also been included in the Tender Offer Document.
Background
The Offeror has on 15 October 2020 announced its decision to amend the minimum acceptance condition of the Tender Offer such that the completion of the Tender Offer is conditional on, among other conditions, the valid tender of Shares representing, together with any other Shares otherwise acquired by the Offeror prior to or during the Offer Period, more than fifty percent (50%) (prior to the amendment: more than two thirds (2/3)) of the issued and outstanding Shares and voting rights in Neles (the "50 % Offer Condition").
Due to the amendment of the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, the Board of Directors of Neles shall, pursuant to Chapter 11 Section 15 of the Finnish Securities Market Act, supplement its Statement after the amended terms and conditions have been delivered to the Board of Directors.
Supplement to the Statement
The Board of Directors refers to its previous Statement and the members of the Board of Directors who participated in the decision-making continue to unanimously recommend that the shareholders accept the Tender Offer. The Board of Directors advises that the shareholders of Neles take into account the following aspects:
Shareholders who intend to accept the Tender Offer
In addition to the considerations presented in the Statement issued on 12 August 2020, and taking in particular into account the 50 % Offer Condition, shareholders who intend to accept the Tender Offer should note especially the following aspects:
Shareholders who do not intend to accept the Tender Offer
In addition to the considerations presented in the Statement issued on 12 August 2020, and taking in particular into account the 50 % Offer Condition, shareholders who intend not to accept the Tender Offer should note especially the following aspects:
Conclusion
Based on the considerations presented in the Statement issued by the Board of Directors on 12 August 2020 and the factors presented above as part of this supplement, taking in particular into account the 50 % Offer Condition, the members of the Board of Directors who participated in the decision-making continue to unanimously recommend that the shareholders accept the Tender Offer.
Board members who did not participate in the decision-making
Five out of seven members of the Board of Directors have participated in the decision-making concerning this supplement to the Statement. Board members Niko Pakalén and Petter Söderström did not participate in the decision. Niko Pakalén has considered himself to be dependent of a major shareholder, Cevian Capital, which has given an undertaking, subject to certain customary conditions, to accept the Tender Offer. Petter Söderström has considered himself dependent of Solidium Oy, which is the largest shareholder of Valmet. For these reasons, they have each made a decision not to participate in the decision-making concerning this supplement to the Statement.
Other matters
The Offeror and Neles have undertaken to comply with the Helsinki Takeover Code issued by the Securities Market Association referred to in Chapter 11, Section 28, of the Finnish Securities Markets Act.
This supplement does not constitute investment or tax advice, and the Board of Directors specifically does not evaluate herein the general price development or the risks relating to the Shares in general. The shareholders of Neles must independently decide whether to accept the Tender Offer, and they should take into account all relevant information available to them, including information presented in the Tender Offer Document and this supplement as well as any other factors affecting the value of the Shares.
Neles is advised by Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc as financial advisor and by Roschier, Attorneys Ltd. as legal advisor.
Vantaa, 19 October 2020
NELES CORPORATION
Board of Directors
Further information:
Rita Uotila
Vice President, Investor Relations
Neles
Tel: +358 400 954 141
rita.uotila@neles.com
Distribution:
Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
Main media
www.neles.com
Neles is one of the leading providers of mission-critical flow control solutions and services for process industries. With our global team of experts and innovative solutions, we help our customers to improve their process performance and ensure safe flow of materials. Neles is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki in Finland and had sales of about EUR 660 million in 2019. Neles employs about 2,900 people in around 40 countries. Neles was created in the partial demerger of Metso Corporation, and trading in Neles stock started on July 1, 2020.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
THIS STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE MAY NOT BE RELEASED, PUBLISHED OR OTHERWISE DISTRIBUTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA, OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE TENDER OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
THIS STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE IS NOT A TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT AND AS SUCH DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO MAKE A SALES OFFER. IN PARTICULAR, THIS STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN, AND IS NOT AN EXTENSION OF THE TENDER OFFER, IN, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, OR SOUTH AFRICA. INVESTORS SHALL ACCEPT THE TENDER OFFER FOR THE SHARES ONLY ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN A TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT. THE TENDER OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE, AND THE SHARES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR PURCHASE FROM OR ON BEHALF OF PERSONS, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE EITHER AN OFFER OR ACCEPTANCE THEREOF IS PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR WHERE ANY TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT OR REGISTRATION OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS WOULD APPLY IN ADDITION TO THOSE UNDERTAKEN IN FINLAND.
THE TENDER OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW AND, WHEN PUBLISHED, THE TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT AND RELATED ACCEPTANCE FORMS WILL NOT AND MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED, FORWARDED OR TRANSMITTED INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAWS OR REGULATIONS. IN PARTICULAR, THE TENDER OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, BY ANY MEANS OR INSTRUMENTALITY (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION E-MAIL, POST, FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION, TELEX, TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION BY WAY OF THE INTERNET OR OTHERWISE), IN OR INTO, OR BY USE OF THE POSTAL SERVICE OF, OR THROUGH ANY FACILITIES OF A NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE OF, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, OR SOUTH AFRICA. THE TENDER OFFER CANNOT BE ACCEPTED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, BY ANY SUCH USE, MEANS OR INSTRUMENTALITY OR FROM WITHIN, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, OR SOUTH AFRICA. ANY PURPOTED ACCEPTANCE OF THE TENDER OFFER RESULTING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM A VIOLATION OF THESE RESTRICTIONS WILL BE INVALID.
THIS STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS RELATING TO THE TENDER OFFER ARE NOT BEING MADE AND HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY AN AUTHORISED PERSON FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 21 OF THE UK FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (THE "FSMA"). ACCORDINGLY, THIS STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS RELATING TO THE TENDER OFFER ARE NOT BEING DISTRIBUTED TO, AND MUST NOT BE PASSED ON TO, THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. THE COMMUNICATION OF THIS STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS RELATING TO THE TENDER OFFER IS EXEMPT FROM THE RESTRICTION ON FINANCIAL PROMOTIONS UNDER SECTION 21 OF THE FSMA ON THE BASIS THAT IT IS A COMMUNICATION BY OR ON BEHALF OF A BODY CORPORATE WHICH RELATES TO A TRANSACTION TO ACQUIRE DAY TO DAY CONTROL OF THE AFFAIRS OF A BODY CORPORATE; OR TO ACQUIRE 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SHARES IN A BODY CORPORATE, WITHIN ARTICLE 62 OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005.
Information for shareholders in the United States
Shareholders in the United States are advised that the shares in Neles are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that Neles is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder.
The Tender Offer will be made for the issued and outstanding shares in Neles, which is domiciled in Finland, and is subject to Finnish disclosure and procedural requirements. The Tender Offer is made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the Exchange Act, subject to exemptions provided by Rule 14d-1(d) under the Exchange act for a "Tier II" tender offer, and otherwise in accordance with the disclosure and procedural requirements of Finnish law, including with respect to the Tender Offer timetable, settlement procedures, withdrawal, waiver of conditions and timing of payments, which are different from those of the United States. In particular, the financial information included in this stock exchange release has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards in Finland, which may not be comparable to the financial statements or financial information of U.S. companies. The Tender Offer is made to Neles’ shareholders resident in the United States on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other shareholders of Neles to whom an offer is made. Any information documents, including this stock exchange release, are being disseminated to U.S. shareholders on a basis comparable to the method that such documents are provided to Neles’ other shareholders.
To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulations, Alfa Laval and its affiliates or its brokers and its brokers’ affiliates (acting as agents for Alfa Laval or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time and during the pendency of the Tender Offer, and other than pursuant to the Tender Offer and combination, directly or indirectly, purchase or arrange to purchase, the shares in Neles or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such shares. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Finland, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. shareholders of Neles of such information. In addition, the financial advisers to Alfa Laval may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Neles, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. To the extent required in Finland, any information about such purchases will be made public in Finland in the manner required by Finnish law.
Neither the SEC nor any U.S. state securities commission has approved or disapproved the Tender Offer, passed upon the merits or fairness of the Tender Offer, or passed any comment upon the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of the disclosure in this stock exchange release. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.
The receipt of cash pursuant to the Tender Offer by a U.S. holder of shares in Neles may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable U.S. state and local, as well as foreign and other, tax laws. Each holder of shares in Neles is urged to consult its independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of accepting the Tender Offer.
It may be difficult for Neles’ shareholders to enforce their rights and any claims they may have arising under the U.S. federal securities laws, since Alfa Laval and Neles are located in non-U.S. jurisdictions, and some or all of their respective officers and directors may be residents of non-U.S. jurisdictions. Neles’ shareholders may not be able to sue Alfa Laval or Neles or their respective officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. federal securities laws. It may be difficult to compel Alfa Laval and Neles and their respective affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court’s judgment.
Forward-looking statements
This stock exchange release contains statements that, to the extent they are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to financial position, future operations and development, business strategy and the trends in the industries and the political and legal environment and other information that is not historical information. In some instances, they can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or variations on comparable terminology. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as at the date of this stock exchange release.
Disclaimer
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ), which is under the supervision of the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen), is acting as lead financial adviser to Alfa Laval and no one else in connection with the Tender Offer and arranger in relation to the Tender Offer, will not regard any other person than Alfa Laval as its client in relation to the Tender Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Alfa Laval for providing the protection afforded to clients of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) nor for providing advice in relation to the Tender Offer.