Ad-hoc | 28 November 2005 13:59
ThyssenKrupp AG: FRIENDLY TAKEOVER BID TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF DOFASCO
Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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FRIENDLY TAKEOVER BID BY THYSSENKRUPP TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF DOFASCO
The Executive Board of ThyssenKrupp AG today resolved to submit a friendly
takeover bid for a 100% interest in the Canadian steel producer Dofasco Inc.
at a cash price of C$61.50 per share. The Supervisory Board by its Executive
Committee (Präsidium) provided its approval today. The Board of Directors of
Dofasco unanimously recommends that its shareholders accept the offer.
Prior to this, ThyssenKrupp and Dofasco reached agreement on the submission
and the conditions of the takeover bid in the framework of a Support
Agreement.
The offer values Dofasco’s equity at a total of 3.5 billion euros (C$4.8
billion). The offer price represents a 40% premium over Dofasco’s closing
share price on the Toronto stock exchange on November 22, 2005, the day prior
to the announcement of the hostile takeover bid by Arcelor for a price of
C$56.00 per share. It further represents a 9.8% premium over the Arcelor bid.
For ThyssenKrupp, the acquisition is an important step in the implementation
of the Group’s forward strategy in the area of flat-rolled carbon steel aimed
at achieving international growth and sustainable value enhancement. The
combination of Dofasco’s production and distribution operations with
ThyssenKrupp’s existing processing activities will strengthen ThyssenKrupp’s
presence in the NAFTA steel market.
ThyssenKrupp AG can finance the transaction in full from available cash funds.
The Support Agreement sets out customary market conditions for the takeover
bid, relating among other things to the acceptance by shareholders, who hold a
total of two thirds of the shares in Dofasco on a fully diluted basis, and
the required regulatory approvals including merger control approvals.
ThyssenKrupp and Dofasco anticipate that the transaction can be completed
before the end of first quarter 2006.
PLEASE ADDRESS QUESTIONS TO DR. JÜRGEN CLAASSEN (COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGY,
PHONE +49 211 824-36001) AND GUNDOLF MORITZ (INVESTOR RELATIONS, PHONE +49 211
824-36464).
HTTP://WWW.THYSSENKRUPP.COM
ThyssenKrupp AG
August-Thyssen-Str. 1
40211 Düsseldorf
Deutschland
ISIN: DE0007500001 (DAX)
WKN: 750000
Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Düsseldorf und Frankfurt (Prime Standard); London;
weitere Informationen im Internet unter Investor Relations: Anleihen /
Creditor Relations
End of ad hoc announcement (c)DGAP 28.11.2005