NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 September 2022
RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION
of
MEGGITT PLC
by
PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
to be effected by means of a Scheme of Arrangement under
Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006
SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE
On 2 August 2021, the boards of Meggitt PLC (the "Company" or "Meggitt") and Parker-Hannifin Corporation ("Parker") announced that they had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash acquisition pursuant to which Parker proposes to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Meggitt (the "Acquisition"). The Acquisition is to be effected by means of a Court sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act (the "Scheme"). The circular in relation to the Scheme (the "Scheme Document") was published on 16 August 2021.
On 9 September 2022, Meggitt announced that the High Court of Justice in
Meggitt and Parker are pleased to announce that, following the delivery of a copy of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies today, the Scheme has now become effective in accordance with its terms and, pursuant to the Scheme, the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Meggitt is now owned by Parker.
A Scheme Shareholder on the register of members of Meggitt at the Scheme Record Time, being 6:30 p.m. on 12 September 2022, will be entitled to receive
Applications have been made to the Financial Conduct Authority and the London Stock Exchange in relation to the de-listing of Meggitt Shares from the premium listing segment of the Official List and the cancellation of the admission to trading of Meggitt Shares on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities, which is expected to take effect at 7:30 a.m. on 14 September 2022.
As the Scheme has now become effective, Meggitt duly announces that, as of today's date, Sir Nigel Rudd DL, Antony Wood, Louisa Burdett, Alison Goligher OBE, Guy Berruyer, Colin Day, Nancy Gioia, Guy Hachey and Caroline Silver have tendered their resignations and have stepped down from the Meggitt Board. In addition, as of today's date, Jim Elsey, Graham Ellinor and Chris Mason have been appointed as directors of Meggitt.
Full details of the Acquisition are set out in the Scheme Document, which is also available on Meggitt's website at www.meggittoffer.com. Capitalised terms used but not defined in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the Scheme Document. All references to times in this announcement are to
Enquiries:
Meggitt |
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Louisa Burdett, Chief Financial Officer Marina Thomas, Group Company Secretary |
+44 (0)77 7197 7678 |
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Rothschild & Co (Financial Adviser and Rule 3 Adviser to Meggitt) |
+44 (0)20 7280 5000 |
Ravi Gupta |
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Sabina Pennings |
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Morgan Stanley (Financial Adviser, Rule 3 Adviser and Corporate Broker to Meggitt) |
+44 (0)20 7425 8000 |
Shirav Patel |
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Ben Grindley |
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BofA Securities (Financial Adviser and Corporate Broker to Meggitt) |
+44 (0)20 7628 1000 |
Edward Peel |
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Oliver Elias |
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FTI Consulting |
+44 (0)20 3727 1340 |
Nick Hasell |
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Alex Le May |
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Dwight Burden |
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Parker |
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Aiden Gormley, Director, Global Communications and Branding |
+1 (0)216 896-3258 |
Robin J. |
+1 (0)216 896-2265 |
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Citigroup Global Markets Limited (Financial Adviser and Corporate Broker to Parker) |
+44 (0)20 7986 4000 |
Sian Evans |
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Rory Scott |
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Andrew Miller- |
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Brunswick Group (Communications Adviser to Parker) |
+44 (0)20 7404 5959 |
Simon Sporborg |
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Charles Pretzlik |
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David |
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Slaughter and May is acting as legal adviser to Meggitt in connection with the Acquisition.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is acting as legal adviser to Parker in connection with the Acquisition.
Important notice
This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, whether pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Meggitt in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus-equivalent document.
Disclaimers
NM Rothschild & Sons Limited ("Rothschild & Co"), which is authorised and regulated in the
Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc ("Morgan Stanley") which is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and the PRA in the
Merrill Lynch International ("BofA Securities"), which is authorised by the PRA and regulated in the
Citigroup Global Markets Limited ("Citi"), which is authorised in the
No person has been authorised to give any information or make any representations other than those contained in this announcement and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorised by Meggitt, the Meggitt Directors or by Rothschild & Co, Morgan Stanley, BofA Securities or any other person involved in the Acquisition. Neither the delivery of this announcement nor holding the Meetings, the Scheme Court Hearing, or filing the Court Order shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Meggitt Group since the date of this announcement or that the information in, or incorporated into, this announcement is correct as at any time subsequent to its date.
Overseas Jurisdictions
This announcement has been prepared for the purposes of complying with English law, the Takeover Code, the Market Abuse Regulation, the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and the Listing Rules and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside
The availability of the Acquisition to Meggitt Shareholders who are not resident in and citizens of the
Unless otherwise determined by Parker or required by the Takeover Code, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Acquisition will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction and no person may vote in favour of the Scheme by any such use, means, instrumentality or from within a Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction if to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction.
Copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send it in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so may render invalid any related purported vote in respect of the Acquisition. If the Acquisition is implemented (with the consent of the Panel and subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Cooperation Agreement) by way of a Takeover Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Takeover Offer may not be made directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means or instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Takeover Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities.
Notice to US investors
The Acquisition relates to shares in an English company and is proposed to be made by means of a scheme of arrangement under English company law. US Meggitt Shareholders should note that the Scheme relates to the shares of an English company and will be governed by English law. Neither the US proxy solicitation rules nor the tender offer rules under the US Exchange Act will apply to the Acquisition and the Scheme. Moreover, the Acquisition and the Scheme are subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable in
Financial information included in the Scheme Document or this announcement has been prepared in accordance with accounting standards applicable in the
Neither the SEC nor any securities commission of any state of the US nor any other US regulatory authority has approved the Acquisition, passed upon the fairness of the Acquisition or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the Scheme Document or this announcement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the US.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, in accordance with normal
In accordance with the Takeover Code, normal
The receipt of consideration by a US Meggitt Shareholder for the transfer of its Meggitt Shares pursuant to the Acquisition will likely be a taxable transaction for
It may be difficult for US Meggitt Shareholders to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of the US federal securities laws, since Meggitt is located in a non-US jurisdiction, and some or all of its officers and directors are residents of non-US jurisdictions. US Meggitt Shareholders may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgement.
Forward looking statements
This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Parker and Meggitt contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements", including for the purposes of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Parker and Meggitt about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement include statements relating to the expected effects of the Acquisition on Parker and Meggitt, the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "targets", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Although Parker and Meggitt believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Parker and Meggitt can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the satisfaction of the Conditions, as well as additional factors, such as: local and global political and economic conditions; significant price discounting by competitors; inability to obtain, or meet conditions imposed for, required governmental and regulatory approvals; changes in consumer habits and preferences; foreign exchange rate fluctuations and interest rate fluctuations (including those from any potential credit rating decline); legal or regulatory developments and changes; the outcome of any litigation; the impact of any acquisitions or similar transactions; competitive product and pricing pressures; success of business and operating initiatives; government actions and natural phenomena such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and pandemics; and changes in the level of capital investment. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors. Neither Parker nor Meggitt, nor any of their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations (including under the
Disclosure requirements of the Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code, any person who is interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Takeover Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they shall be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Panel's website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.
Publication on a website
This announcement and the documents required to be published pursuant to Rule 26.3 of the Takeover Code, will be available, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Meggitt and Parker's websites at www.meggittoffer.com and www.parker.com respectively. For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of these websites are not incorporated into and do not form part of this announcement.
Requesting hard copy documents
Meggitt Shareholders may request a hard copy of this announcement, the Scheme Document or information incorporated into the Scheme Document by reference to another source, free of charge, by calling the Company's registrar, Equiniti Group plc, on +44 (0) 371 384 2050 or by writing to Equiniti at Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing,
Electronic communications
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain information provided by Meggitt Shareholders, persons with information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Meggitt may be provided to Parker, members of the Parker Group and/or their respective advisers during the Offer Period as requested under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the Takeover Code to comply with Rule 2.11(c) of the Takeover Code.
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