TIDMLCT
RNS Number : 4431D
Lincat Group PLC
23 March 2011
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD
CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF THAT
JURISDICTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 March 2011
RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION
by
Middleby Holding UK Ltd
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Middleby Corporation)
of
Lincat Group plc
(to be implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement under Part
26 of the Companies Act 2006)
Summary
-- The Middleby Corporation ("Middleby") is pleased to announce
that it has agreed with the Board of Lincat Group plc ("Lincat")
the terms of a recommended cash acquisition of the entire issued
and to be issued share capital of Lincat by Middleby Holding UK Ltd
("Bidco"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Middleby.
-- It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by
means of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement of Lincat under
Part 26 of the Act. However, Middleby and Bidco reserve the right
to effect the Acquisition by means of an Offer.
-- Under the terms of the Acquisition, Lincat Shareholders will
receive 1,050 pence in cash for each Lincat Share held at the
Scheme Record Time. Subject to the Scheme becoming Effective,
Lincat Shareholders will be paid the cash consideration for their
Lincat Shares not later than 14 days after the Effective Date.
Payment is currently expected to be made not later than 10 June
2011.
-- Lincat will not declare a final dividend for the year ended
31 December 2010.
-- The Acquisition values the entire issued and to be issued
share capital of Lincat at approximately GBP58 million and
represents:
o a premium of approximately 37.7 per cent. to the Closing Price
of 762.5 pence per Lincat Share on 22 March 2011 (being the last
Business Day prior to the date of this announcement);
o a premium of approximately 38.7 per cent. to the average
Closing Price of 757.1 pence per Lincat Share for the one month
ended on 22 March 2011; and
o a premium of approximately 48.7 per cent. to the average
Closing Price of 706.2 pence per Lincat Share for the three months
ended on 22 March 2011.
-- In order to become Effective, the Acquisition must, amongst
other things, be approved by the requisite majorities of Lincat
Shareholders at the Meetings and receive the sanction of the
Court.
-- Bidco has received irrevocable undertakings to vote, or to
procure (or, in the case of 27,934 Lincat Shares representing
approximately 0.5 per cent. of the current issued share capital of
Lincat, to use best endeavours to procure) that the registered
holder votes, in favour of the resolutions relating to the
Acquisition at the Meetings or, in the event that Bidco elects to
implement the Acquisition by means of an Offer, to accept, or
procure (or, in the case of 27,934 Lincat Shares representing
approximately 0.5 per cent. of the current issued share capital of
Lincat, to use best endeavours to procure) acceptance of, the
Offer, in respect of Lincat Shares representing, in aggregate,
approximately 51.2 per cent. of the current issued share capital of
Lincat. Save for the irrevocable undertaking given by Marlborough
Fund Managers, all of the irrevocable undertakings received by
Bidco will continue to be binding even if a higher competing offer
for Lincat is made. The irrevocable undertaking given by
Marlborough Fund Managers will cease to be binding if: (i) a
competing cash offer for all Lincat Shares is announced which
values each Lincat Share at a price which equals or exceeds 110 per
cent. of the value of the consideration per Lincat Share available
under the terms of the Acquisition; (ii) Bidco does not, within ten
days of the announcement of such competing offer, announce a
revised offer which values each Lincat Share at a price equal to or
greater than the value of the consideration per Lincat Share under
the terms of the competing offer; and (iii) Marlborough Fund
Managers notifies Bidco within three days of the expiry of such ten
day period that its obligations under the irrevocable undertaking
have ceased to have effect.
-- The Lincat Directors, who have been so advised by Livingstone
Partners, consider the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and
reasonable so far as Lincat Shareholders are concerned. In
providing its advice to the Lincat Directors, Livingstone Partners
has taken into account the commercial assessment of the Lincat
Directors.
Accordingly, the Lincat Directors intend unanimously to
recommend that Lincat Shareholders vote in favour of the
resolutions relating to the Acquisition at the Meetings (or, in the
event that the Acquisition is implemented by means of an Offer, to
accept, or procure acceptance of, the Offer) as the Lincat
Directors have irrevocably undertaken to do or to so procure (or,
in the case of 22,575 Lincat Shares representing approximately 0.4
per cent. of the current issued share capital of Lincat, to use
best endeavours to so procure) in respect of an aggregate
beneficial holding of 1,672,610 Lincat Shares (representing, as at
22 March 2011, being the last practicable date prior to the
publication of this announcement, approximately 30.5 per cent. of
the current issued share capital of Lincat).
-- The Scheme Document, containing further information about the
Acquisition and notices of the Meetings, together with the related
forms of proxy, is expected to be posted to Lincat Shareholders in
mid April 2011 and the Scheme is expected to become Effective by
the end of May 2011.
Selim Bassoul, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Middleby,
said:
"Lincat is a leading brand in the UK foodservice industry and
its broad line of products is highly complementary to Middleby's
existing portfolio. This acquisition will provide Middleby with a
local manufacturing platform and significantly enhance our presence
in the UK market. We believe this transaction will provide for
meaningful growth opportunities for both Middleby and Lincat in the
UK market as we leverage Lincat's existing sales, service and
manufacturing capabilities."
Alan Schroeder, Chairman of Lincat, said:
"The board of Lincat is confident that the offer from Middleby
is in the best interests of Lincat's shareholders and its
employees. We believe the price being offered is at a significant
premium and is one which reflects the underlying value and
prospects of the Lincat Group. Lincat will provide Middleby with a
significant platform in the UK whilst Middleby's diverse geographic
presence will provide Lincat with increased access to overseas
markets."
Enquiries:
Middleby Tel: +1 847 429 7744
Timothy Fitzgerald (Chief Financial Officer)
Lincat Tel: 01522 875555
Paul Bouscarle (Chief Executive)
Terry Storey (Finance Director)
KPMG Corporate Finance (financial adviser to Middleby Tel: 0161 246 4548
and Bidco)
Chris Belsham
Livingstone Partners (financial adviser to Lincat) Tel: 0207 484 4700
Phillip McCreanor
This summary should be read in conjunction with, and is subject
to, the full text of this announcement, including the
Appendices
The conditions to, and certain further terms of, the Acquisition
are set out in Appendix 1. The sources and bases for certain
financial information contained in this announcement are set out in
Appendix 2. Details of irrevocable undertakings received by Bidco
are set out in Appendix 3. Certain definitions and terms used in
this announcement are set out in Appendix 4.
KPMG Corporate Finance, a division of KPMG LLP which is
authorised and regulated by the FSA for investment business
activities, is acting for Middleby and Bidco as financial adviser
in relation to the Acquisition and is not acting for any other
person in relation to such Acquisition. KPMG Corporate Finance will
not be responsible to anyone other than Middleby and Bidco for
providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing
advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any
offer or arrangements referred to herein.
Livingstone Partners LLP, which is authorised and regulated in
the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting exclusively as financial
adviser to Lincat Group plc in connection with the Acquisition and
for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not be
responsible to anyone other than Lincat Group plc for providing the
protections afforded to clients of Livingstone Partners LLP nor for
giving advice in relation to the Acquisition or any matter or
arrangement referred to in this announcement.
Cenkos Securities plc, which is authorised and regulated in the
United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting exclusively as corporate
broker to Lincat Group plc and for no one else in connection with
the Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than
Lincat Group plc for providing the protections afforded to clients
of Cenkos Securities plc nor for providing advice in relation to
the Acquisition or any other matter or arrangement referred to in
this announcement.
This announcement does not constitute an invitation or offer to
sell, purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation
of any vote for approval of the Acquisition in any jurisdiction.
Any response in relation to the Acquisition should be made solely
on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Document,
which will contain the full terms and conditions of the
Acquisition, including details of how to vote in respect of the
Acquisition. Lincat Shareholders are advised to read carefully the
Scheme Document and other formal documentation in relation to the
Acquisition once it has been dispatched. No person should construe
the contents of this announcement as legal, financial or tax advice
and any interested person should consult their own advisers in
connection with the matters contained herein.
The availability of the Acquisition or the distribution of this
announcement to persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom
may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which
they are located. Persons who are not so resident should inform
themselves of, and observe, any applicable requirements in those
jurisdictions. This announcement has been prepared for the purposes
of complying with English law, the Code and the AIM Rules. As a
result, information disclosed herein may not be the same as that
which would have been disclosed in accordance with the laws and
regulations of jurisdictions outside of England.
Bidco reserves the right to elect (with the consent of the
Panel) to implement the Acquisition by means of an Offer. In such
event, the Offer will be implemented on substantially the same
terms, subject to appropriate amendments, as those which would
apply to the Scheme. If the Acquisition is implemented by means of
an Offer, it will be made in accordance with the requirements of
applicable laws, including US securities laws, to the extent
applicable.
Forward-looking Statements
This announcement, oral statements made regarding the
Acquisition and other information published by Middleby, Bidco or
Lincat may contain certain statements that are or may be
forward-looking. These statements are based on the current
expectations of the management of Middleby, Bidco and/or Lincat (as
applicable) and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in
circumstances. The forward-looking statements contained herein may
include statements about the expected effects of the Acquisition,
the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition, anticipated
earnings enhancements, estimated cost savings and other synergies,
costs to be incurred in achieving synergies, potential disposals
and other strategic options and all other statements in this
announcement other than historical facts. Forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, statements that typically
contain words such as: "will", "may", "should", "could",
"continue", "believes", "expects", "intends", "estimates",
"anticipates", "aims", "targets", "plans" and "forecasts" or words
of similar import. The forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of
these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond the
ability of the person making the statement to control or estimate
precisely, such as future market conditions and the behaviour of
other market participants. Other unknown or unpredictable factors
could also cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward looking statements. Therefore undue reliance should not
be placed on such statements as a prediction of actual results.
None of Middleby, Bidco or Lincat undertakes any obligation to
update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required
pursuant to applicable law.
Dealing Disclosure Requirements
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the 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 paper 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 paper
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 paper 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. (London time) on the 10(th)
business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if
appropriate, by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10(th)
business day following the announcement in which any paper offeror
is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant
securities of the offeree company or of a paper offeror prior to
the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead
make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the 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 paper offeror must make
a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities
of the offeree company or of any paper 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 paper offeror, 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 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the
relevant dealing.
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 paper
offeror, they will 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 Takeover Panel's website at 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. If you are in any doubt as to whether you are required
to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure, you
should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 20 7638
0129.
Publication on Website
This announcement will be available on Middleby's website at
www.middleby.com and Lincat's website at www.lincatgroup.co.uk by
no later than 12 noon on 24 March 2011.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD
CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF THAT
JURISDICTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 March 2011
RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION
by
Middleby Holding UK Ltd
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Middleby Corporation)
of
Lincat Group plc
(to be implemented by way of a scheme or arrangement under Part
26 of the Companies Act 2006)
1. Introduction
The Middleby Corporation ("Middleby") is pleased to announce
that it has agreed with the Board of Lincat Group plc ("Lincat")
the terms of a recommended cash acquisition of the entire issued
and to be issued share capital of Lincat by Middleby Holding UK Ltd
("Bidco"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Middleby.
The Acquisition will be implemented by means of a
Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement of Lincat under Part 26 of
the Act (although Middleby and Bidco reserve the right to effect
the Acquisition by means of an Offer). The Scheme Document is
expected to be posted to Lincat Shareholders in mid April 2011 and
the Scheme is expected to become Effective by the end of May
2011.
2. The Acquisition
The Acquisition will be on the terms and subject to the
conditions set out below and in Appendix 1, and to be set out in
the Scheme Document. Under the terms of the Acquisition, each
Lincat Shareholder holding Lincat Shares at the Scheme Record Time
will receive:
For each Lincat Share 1,050 pence in cash
The Acquisition values the entire issued and to be issued share
capital of Lincat at approximately GBP58 million and
represents:
-- a premium of approximately 37.7 per cent. to the Closing
Price of 762.5 pence per Lincat Share on 22 March 2011 (being the
last Business Day prior to the date of this announcement);
-- a premium of approximately 38.7 per cent. to the average
Closing Price of 757.1 pence per Lincat Share for the one month
ended on 22 March 2011; and
-- a premium of approximately 48.7 per cent. to the average
Closing Price of 706.2 pence per Lincat Share for the three months
ended on 22 March 2011.
Lincat will not declare a final dividend for the year ended 31
December 2010.
3. Background to and reasons for the Acquisition
Middleby is an experienced acquirer of businesses, having
purchased 15 companies in the past five years. Middleby is
committed to building a strong presence in the UK market. The
Acquisition and the opportunity to work with Lincat's
highly-regarded management team is an important step towards
advancing this strategic initiative. Middleby believes that its
operating philosophy is very similar to Lincat's and hopes to
leverage Lincat's strong distribution channels in the UK in order
to enhance Middleby's position in the UK market. In addition,
Middleby believes that the Acquisition will provide an opportunity
for Lincat to expand its distribution of products outside of the UK
into foreign markets where Middleby has significant resources and
to leverage the relationships Middleby has with global and key
accounts in the UK to further grow sales.
If the Acquisition becomes Effective, Lincat Shareholders will
benefit from a fair price in cash, which offers certainty. Lincat
would also gain access to Middleby's technical expertise and
financial strength, which would further enhance the underlying
value of its asset base. The Acquisition offers Lincat's employees
a chance to benefit from joining a larger organisation with
opportunities to pursue further professional development.
4. Recommendation
The Lincat Directors, who have been so advised by Livingstone
Partners, consider the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and
reasonable so far as Lincat Shareholders are concerned. In
providing its advice to the Lincat Directors, Livingstone Partners
has taken into account the commercial assessment of the Lincat
Directors.
Accordingly, the Lincat Directors intend unanimously to
recommend that Lincat Shareholders vote in favour of the
resolutions relating to the Acquisition at the Meetings (or, in the
event that the Acquisition is implemented by means of an Offer, to
accept, or procure acceptance of, the Offer) as the Lincat
Directors have irrevocably undertaken to do or to so procure (or,
in the case of 22,575 Lincat Shares representing approximately 0.4
per cent. of the current issued share capital of Lincat, to use
best endeavours to so procure) in respect of an aggregate
beneficial holding of 1,672,610 Lincat Shares (representing, as at
22 March 2011, being the last practicable date prior to the
publication of this announcement, approximately 30.5 per cent. of
the current issued share capital of Lincat).
5. Background to, and reasons for, the recommendation
The Lincat Group is a UK group manufacturing commercial catering
and bar equipment. The Lincat Group has grown both organically and
through acquisition and has now achieved a stage in its development
in which its three operating subsidiaries have established
brands.
The Lincat Directors believe that the Acquisition, at a
significant premium to Lincat's current and recent share price,
fully recognises and values the growth potential of the business
through the ongoing pursuit of its current strategy. In particular
it acknowledges the substantial underlying value in Lincat's
business which the Lincat Directors believe is not currently
reflected in the price at which Lincat's shares have recently
traded.
The Lincat Directors also recognise that the businesses of
Lincat and Middleby complement one another, in terms of products,
geography and infrastructure. Specifically, Lincat would benefit
from Middleby's global scale, supply chain and distribution network
which would enable the Lincat Group to grow its revenues at a
faster rate than if it remained independent.
6. Financing of the Acquisition
Bidco will fund the consideration payable under the Acquisition
from funds made available to it from Middleby's existing cash
resources and bank facilities.
KPMG Corporate Finance, financial adviser to Middleby and Bidco,
is satisfied that sufficient resources are available to Bidco to
satisfy in full the cash consideration payable to Lincat
Shareholders under the terms of the Acquisition.
7. Information relating to Middleby and Bidco
Middleby
Middleby is a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing,
distribution, and service of a broad line of cooking and warming
equipment used in all types of commercial restaurants and
institutional kitchens and food preparation, cooking and packaging
equipment for food processing operations. Founded in 1888 as a
manufacturer of baking ovens, Middleby Marshall Oven Company was
acquired in 1983 by TMC Industries Ltd., a publicly traded company
that changed its name in 1985 to The Middleby Corporation. The
company has established itself as a leading provider of commercial
restaurant equipment and food processing equipment as a result of
its acquisition of industry leading brands and through the
introduction of innovative products within both of these
segments.
Middleby's leading equipment brands serving the commercial
foodservice industry include Anets(R), Blodgett(R), Blodgett
Combi(R), Blodgett Range(R), Bloomfield(R), Carter Hoffmann(R),
CookTek(R), CTX(R), Doyon(R), frifri(R), Giga(R), Holman(R),
Houno(R), Jade(R), Lang(R), MagiKitch'n(R), Middleby Marshall(R),
Nu-Vu(R), PerfectFry(R), Pitco Frialator(R), Southbend(R), Star(R),
Toastmaster(R), TurboChef(R) and Wells(R). The company's leading
equipment brands serving the food processing industry include
Alkar(R), Cozzini(R), MP Equipment(R), and RapidPak(R). Middleby
has been recognised by Forbes Magazine as one of the Best Small
Companies in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
On 1 March 2011, Middleby reported net sales and earnings for
the fourth quarter ended 1 January 2011. Middleby's net earnings
for the fourth quarter were US$20,994,000 or US$1.13 per share on
net sales of US$207,233,000 as compared to the prior year fourth
quarter net earnings of US$17,874,000 or US$0.95 per share on net
sales of US$152,493,000. Net earnings for the twelve months ended 1
January 2011 were US$72,867,000 or US$3.97 per share on net sales
of US$719,121,000 as compared to net earnings of US$61,156,000 or
US$3.29 per share on net sales of US$646,629,000 in the prior
year.
Bidco
Bidco is a newly-incorporated private limited company
incorporated in England and Wales and an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Middleby, formed for the purpose of making the
Acquisition. Bidco has not traded since its incorporation nor has
it entered into any obligations other than in connection with the
Acquisition.
8. Information relating to Lincat
The Lincat Group is a UK group manufacturing a range of
commercial kitchen and bar equipment across three production sites
with approximately 300 employees. Lincat is traded on AIM.
Lincat operates as three autonomous companies, each with its own
specialism and brands:
-- Lincat Limited focuses on light and medium duty prime
cooking, food display and beverage equipment;
-- IMC Limited manufactures kitchen machines and bar equipment;
and
-- Britannia Kitchen Ventilation Limited manufactures commercial
kitchen ventilation units.
Lincat has a track record for the continuous development of
products, with each subsidiary offering a wide range of products,
designed, developed and manufactured in-house. Lincat has
established distribution networks in the UK.
For the year ended 31 December 2010, Lincat delivered GBP32.7m
of revenue generating GBP6.6m of EBITDA. Having regard to the
timing of the Acquisition, Lincat will not be declaring a final
dividend for the year ended 31 December 2010.
9. Acquisition Structure
It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by means
of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement between Lincat and its
shareholders under Part 26 of the Act. The procedure involves an
application by Lincat to the Court to sanction the Scheme and
confirm the cancellation of the Scheme Shares, in consideration for
which Scheme Shareholders on the shareholder register at the Scheme
Record Time will receive cash on the basis described in paragraph 2
above. The cancellation and subsequent issue of new shares in
Lincat to Bidco provided for in the Scheme will result in Lincat
becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bidco.
It will be necessary for Lincat Shareholders to approve certain
matters relating to the implementation of the Scheme. The General
Resolution will be proposed at the General Meeting for this
purpose, further details of which will be set out in the Scheme
Document.
To become Effective, the Scheme requires, among other things,
the approval by a majority in number of the Scheme Shareholders who
vote, representing not less than 75 per cent. in value of the
Scheme Shares voted, either in person or by proxy, at the Court
Meeting and the passing of the General Resolution at the General
Meeting, which requires at least 75 per cent. of the votes cast by
Lincat Shareholders (voting either in person or by proxy) to be
voted in favour of the General Resolution. The Scheme must also be
sanctioned by the Court and the associated Capital Reduction must
be confirmed by the Court.
The Scheme will only become Effective upon delivery of office
copies of the Court Orders and the Statement of Capital to the
Registrar.
Upon the Scheme becoming Effective:
-- it will be binding on all Scheme Shareholders, irrespective
of whether or not they attended or voted at the Court Meeting or
the General Meeting, or whether they voted in favour of or against
the Scheme and/or the General Resolution; and
-- share certificates in respect of the Scheme Shares will cease
to be valid and entitlements to Scheme Shares held within the CREST
system will be cancelled.
The Acquisition will be conditional upon the Scheme becoming
Effective by not later than 6.00 p.m. on 30 September 2011 or such
later date (if any) as Bidco and Lincat may, with the consent of
the Panel, agree and (if required) the Court may approve.
The Scheme Document containing details of the Scheme and notices
of the Meetings, together with the related forms of proxy, is
expected to be posted to Lincat Shareholders, and, for information
only, to participants in the Lincat LTIP, in mid April 2011 (and at
the latest within 28 days of this announcement, unless otherwise
agreed with the Panel). It is expected that the Scheme will become
Effective by the end of May 2011. Subject to the Scheme becoming
Effective, Scheme Shareholders will be paid the cash consideration
for their Scheme Shares not later than 14 days after the Effective
Date. Payment is currently expected to be made not later than 10
June 2011.
10. Irrevocable undertakings
Bidco has received irrevocable undertakings to vote, or to
procure (or, in the case of 27,934 Lincat Shares representing
approximately 0.5 per cent. of the current issued share capital of
Lincat, to use best endeavours to procure) that the registered
holder votes, in favour of the resolutions relating to the
Acquisition at the Meetings or, in the event that Bidco elects to
implement the Acquisition by means of an Offer, to accept, or
procure (or, in the case of 27,934 Lincat Shares representing
approximately 0.5 per cent. of the current issued share capital of
Lincat, to use best endeavours to procure) acceptance of, the
Offer, in respect of Lincat Shares representing, in aggregate,
approximately 51.2 per cent. of the current issued share capital of
Lincat. Save for the irrevocable undertaking given by Marlborough
Fund Managers, all of the irrevocable undertakings received by
Bidco will continue to be binding even if a higher competing offer
for Lincat is made.
The irrevocable undertaking given by Marlborough Fund Managers
will cease to be binding if: (i) a competing cash offer for all
Lincat Shares is announced which values each Lincat Share at a
price which equals or exceeds 110 per cent. of the value of the
consideration per Lincat Share available under the terms of the
Acquisition; (ii) Bidco does not, within ten days of the
announcement of such competing offer, announce a revised offer
which values each Lincat Share at a price equal to or greater than
the value of the consideration per Lincat Share under the terms of
the competing offer; and (iii) Marlborough Fund Managers notifies
Bidco within three days of the expiry of such ten day period that
its obligations under the irrevocable undertaking have ceased to
have effect.
Further details of these irrevocable undertakings are set out in
Appendix 3 of this announcement.
11. Implementation Agreement and break fee arrangements
Lincat, Middleby and Bidco have entered into an Implementation
Agreement pursuant to which Lincat and Bidco have agreed, amongst
other things, to take all such steps and actions and prepare all
such documents necessary for the implementation of the Acquisition
on a timely basis in accordance with an agreed timetable and in
accordance with the terms of the Implementation Agreement.
The Implementation Agreement also contains a break fee
arrangement, non-solicitation undertakings and matching rights in
favour of Bidco in the event of a Competing Proposal. A brief
summary of certain provisions of the Implementation Agreement is
set out below.
Break fee
In consideration of Bidco making the Acquisition, the Lincat
Board has agreed to enter into a break fee arrangement. Lincat will
pay a break fee of an amount in cash equal to 1 per cent. of the
aggregate consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition
to Bidco if, in summary:
-- the Lincat Directors fail to include a recommendation of the
Acquisition in the Scheme Document (or Offer Document, as the case
may be) or Lincat fails to issue the Scheme Document in accordance
with the Implementation Agreement; or
-- the Lincat Directors: (i) withdraw, qualify or modify their
recommendation of the Acquisition; (ii) fail to reaffirm and
reissue such recommendation reasonably promptly (and in any event
within 5 Business Days) following a request by Bidco; or (iii)
announce an intention to take any of the foregoing actions, in each
case at any time before the Scheme (or the Offer, as the case may
be) lapses or is withdrawn; or
-- a Competing Proposal is made public howsoever (whether or not
on a pre-conditional basis and whether pursuant to Rule 2.4 or Rule
2.5 of the Code) prior to the termination of the Implementation
Agreement and within 12 months following the date that such
Competing Proposal is made public, any Competing Proposal completes
or becomes effective, or is declared or becomes unconditional in
all respects; or
-- following and subject to the approval of the Scheme at the
Court Meeting and the approval of the General Resolution at the
General Meeting, the Lincat Directors:
o withdraw the Scheme or otherwise do not seek the Court
Orders;
o in the event that the First Court Order or the Second Court
Order is not granted by the Court, fail to seek any appropriate
amendment to the terms of the Scheme (as agreed with Bidco) or to
return to Court to seek any necessary directions or orders or to
appeal any decision of the Court (unless any such appeal in the
opinion of counsel is more likely than not to fail); or
o fail to deliver an office copy of the First Court Order or the
Second Court Order to the Registrar.
Non-solicitation
Lincat has undertaken in the Implementation Agreement that
neither Lincat nor any other member of the Lincat Group, nor any of
their respective advisers or representatives, will directly or
indirectly through any other person:
-- solicit, initiate, facilitate, encourage, induce or otherwise
seek to procure any Approach from any person other than Bidco in
respect of, or in connection with, a Competing Proposal or
potential Competing Proposal;
-- enter into any discussions, negotiations, correspondence or
arrangement relating to or involving a Competing Proposal or
potential Competing Proposal, except as, and solely to the extent
(if any), required by the Code and save to the extent that the
Lincat Directors (having first obtained appropriate written legal
and financial advice) reasonably and in good faith consider that
they would be in breach of their statutory or fiduciary duties not
to do so;
-- commit to, or enter into, any agreement, arrangement or
understanding with any person other than Bidco, including, without
limitation, any break fee, indemnity or contribution for costs or
similar arrangement, in connection with a Competing Proposal or
potential Competing Proposal; or
-- except as, and solely to the extent (if any), required by
Rule 20.2 of the Code (taking into account any ruling given by the
Panel with respect thereto) provide information to any person
(other than Bidco and its related parties) in relation to any
Competing Proposal or potential Competing Proposal.
Lincat has agreed to notify Bidco promptly:
-- of any Approach that is made to Lincat or to any of its
related parties with a view to Lincat or any of its related parties
entering into discussions and/or negotiations with respect to a
Competing Proposal or potential Competing Proposal;
-- if the Lincat Directors determine that such an Approach is
reasonably likely to lead to a Competing Proposal;
-- if the Lincat Directors propose to withdraw, modify or
qualify their recommendation of the Acquisition; and
-- if any information is provided to any person other than Bidco
in connection with a Competing Proposal or potential Competing
Proposal.
Matching right
Lincat has also undertaken that in the event it receives an
Approach that is reasonably likely to lead to a Competing Proposal
and notifies Bidco thereof as required under the Implementation
Agreement, it shall not recommend or enter into any agreement to
implement any Competing Proposal or withdraw, modify or qualify the
recommendation of the Scheme or withdraw the Scheme for a period of
three Business Days. In the event that Bidco confirms within this
period that it is willing to increase its offer to a consideration
per Lincat Share equal to or greater than that provided under the
Competing Proposal or potential Competing Proposal or to make an
offer or proposal which would, in the reasonable opinion of
Lincat's financial adviser, provide equal or superior financial
value to Lincat Shareholders than the Competing Proposal or
potential Competing Proposal (the "Revised Offer"), the Lincat
Directors shall recommend the Revised Offer and shall not recommend
or enter into any agreement to implement the Competing Proposal or
potential Competing Proposal.
Further information regarding the Implementation Agreement will
be set out in the Scheme Document.
12. Opening Position Disclosures and Interests
Bidco confirms that it is on the date of this announcement
making an Opening Position Disclosure, setting out the details
required to be disclosed by it under Rule 8.1(a) of the Code.
Save in respect of the irrevocable undertakings referred to in
paragraph 10 above, as at the close of business on 22 March 2011
(being the last practicable date prior to the date of this
announcement) neither Bidco, nor any directors of Bidco, nor, so
far as Bidco is aware, any person acting in concert with Bidco has:
(i) any interest in or right to subscribe for any relevant
securities of Lincat, nor (ii) any short positions in respect of
relevant Lincat securities (whether conditional or absolute and
whether in the money or otherwise), including any short position
under a derivative, any agreement to sell or any delivery
obligation or right to require another person to purchase or take
delivery, nor (iii) borrowed or lent any relevant Lincat
securities.
It is intended that Bidco will subscribe for one Lincat Share at
a price of 1,050 pence prior to the hearing of the Court at which
the First Court Order will be sought.
13. Management, employees and locations
Middleby values the active participation and continued
commitment of Lincat's management and employees. Accordingly,
Middleby has given assurances to the Lincat Board that, on the
Acquisition becoming Effective, the existing employment rights,
including pension rights, of all Lincat Group employees will be
fully safeguarded in accordance with applicable law.
Following completion of the Acquisition, the employee resource
of the Lincat Group will be considered as part of Middleby's
overall strategy for Lincat and will be reviewed from time to time
in light of the ongoing requirements of the Lincat Group. Middleby
has no current intention to change the location of Lincat Group's
places of business.
Discussions between Middleby and Lincat's senior management team
about the team members' specific roles in the Enlarged Group, and
the terms of their employment, have yet to take place. It is
envisaged that such discussions will take place after the
Acquisition has become Effective.
Each of the non-executive Lincat Directors has agreed to resign
from the Board upon the Scheme becoming Effective. Such
non-executive Lincat Directors will have no entitlement to
compensation upon resignation, save for the payment of any accrued
but unpaid fees or expenses.
14. Lincat LTIP
The Acquisition will extend to any Scheme Shares unconditionally
allotted or issued prior to the Scheme Record Time including shares
issued pursuant to the exercise of options or awards granted under
the Lincat LTIP.
Participants in the Lincat LTIP will be contacted regarding the
effect of the Acquisition on their rights under the Lincat LTIP and
appropriate proposals will be made to such participants in due
course.
Further details of these proposals will be set out in the Scheme
Document.
15. Conditions of the Acquisition
The conditions to the Acquisition are set out in full in
Appendix 1 to this announcement.
The Scheme is conditional, amongst other things, upon:
-- the Scheme becoming Effective by no later than 6.00 p.m. on
30 September 2011 or such later date as Lincat and Bidco may, with
the consent of the Panel, agree and (if required) the Court may
approve, failing which the Scheme will lapse;
-- the approval of the Scheme by a majority in number of the
Scheme Shareholders who vote, representing not less than 75 per
cent. in value of the Scheme Shares voted, either in person or by
proxy, at the Court Meeting;
-- the passing of the General Resolution by the requisite
majority at the General Meeting; and
-- the sanction of the Scheme and subsequent confirmation of the
Capital Reduction by the Court (in either case, with or without
modification on terms agreed by Bidco and Lincat) and the delivery
of office copies of the Court Orders and the Statement of Capital
to the Registrar.
16. Delisting, cancellation of trading and re--registration
It is intended that the London Stock Exchange will be requested
to cancel trading in Lincat Shares on AIM on or immediately
following the Effective Date.
Subject to the Scheme becoming Effective, share certificates in
respect of Lincat Shares will cease to be valid, and entitlements
to Lincat Shares held within the CREST system will be cancelled on
the Effective Date.
It is intended that Lincat be re--registered as a private
limited company upon or immediately following the Scheme becoming
Effective.
17. Lincat securities in issue
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Code, as at close of
business on 22 March 2011 (being the last Business Day prior to the
date of this announcement), Lincat had 5,491,989 ordinary shares of
10 pence each in issue (ISIN number GB0005170492).
18. General
This announcement does not constitute an offer or an invitation
to purchase or subscribe for any securities.
The implications of the Offer for persons resident in, or
citizens of, jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom may be
affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions. Such persons
should inform themselves about and observe any applicable
requirements.
Enquiries:
Middleby Tel: +1 847 429 7744
Timothy Fitzgerald (Chief Financial Officer)
Lincat Tel: 01522 875555
Paul Bouscarle (Chief Executive)
Terry Storey (Finance Director)
KPMG Corporate Finance (financial adviser to Middleby Tel: 0161 246 4548
and Bidco)
Chris Belsham
Livingstone Partners (financial adviser to Lincat) Tel: 0207 484 4700
Phillip McCreanor
KPMG Corporate Finance, a division of KPMG LLP which is
authorised and regulated by the FSA for investment business
activities, is acting for Middleby and Bidco as financial adviser
in relation to the Acquisition and is not acting for any other
person in relation to such Acquisition. KPMG Corporate Finance will
not be responsible to anyone other than Middleby and Bidco for
providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing
advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any
offer or arrangements referred to herein.
Livingstone Partners LLP, which is authorised and regulated in
the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting exclusively as financial
adviser to Lincat Group plc in connection with the Acquisition and
for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not be
responsible to anyone other than Lincat Group plc for providing the
protections afforded to clients of Livingstone Partners LLP nor for
giving advice in relation to the Acquisition or any matter or
arrangement referred to in this announcement.
Cenkos Securities plc, which is authorised and regulated in the
United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting exclusively as corporate
broker to Lincat Group plc and for no one else in connection with
the Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than
Lincat Group plc for providing the protections afforded to clients
of Cenkos Securities plc nor for providing advice in relation to
the Acquisition or any other matter or arrangement referred to in
this announcement.
This announcement does not constitute an invitation or an offer
to sell, purchase or subscribe for any securities or the
solicitation of any vote for approval of the Acquisition in any
jurisdiction. Any response in relation to the Acquisition should be
made solely on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme
Document, which will contain the full terms and conditions of the
Acquisition, including details of how to vote in respect of the
Acquisition. Lincat Shareholders are advised to read carefully the
Scheme Document and other formal documentation in relation to the
Acquisition once it has been dispatched. No person should construe
the contents of this announcement as legal, financial or tax advice
and any interested person should consult its own advisers in
connection with the matters contained herein.
The availability of the Acquisition or the distribution of this
announcement to persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom
may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which
they are located. Persons who are not so resident should inform
themselves of, and observe, any applicable requirements in those
jurisdictions. This announcement has been prepared for the purposes
of complying with English law, the Code and the AIM Rules. As a
result, information disclosed herein may not be the same as that
which would have been disclosed in accordance with the laws and
regulations of jurisdictions outside of England.
Bidco reserves the right to elect (with the consent of the
Panel) to implement the Acquisition by means of an Offer. In such
event, the Offer will be implemented on substantially the same
terms, subject to appropriate amendments, as those which would
apply to the Scheme. If the Acquisition is implemented by means of
an Offer, it will be made in accordance with the requirements of
applicable laws, including US securities laws, to the extent
applicable.
Forward-looking Statements
This announcement, oral statements made regarding the
Acquisition and other information published by Middleby, Bidco or
Lincat may contain certain statements that are or may be
forward-looking. These statements are based on the current
expectations of the management of Middleby, Bidco and/or Lincat (as
applicable) and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in
circumstances. The forward-looking statements contained herein may
include statements about the expected effects of the Acquisition,
the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition, anticipated
earnings enhancements, estimated cost savings and other synergies,
costs to be incurred in achieving synergies, potential disposals
and other strategic options and all other statements in this
announcement other than historical facts. Forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, statements that typically
contain words such as: "will", "may", "should", "could",
"continue", "believes", "expects", "intends", "estimates",
"anticipates", "aims", "targets", "plans" and "forecasts" or words
of similar import. The forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of
these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond the
ability of the person making the statement to control or estimate
precisely, such as future market conditions and the behaviour of
other market participants. Other unknown or unpredictable factors
could also cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward looking statements. Therefore undue reliance should not
be placed on such statements as a prediction of actual results.
None of Middleby, Bidco or Lincat undertakes any obligation to
update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required
pursuant to applicable law.
Dealing Disclosure Requirements
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the 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 paper 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 paper
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 paper 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. (London time) on the 10(th)
business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if
appropriate, by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10(th)
business day following the announcement in which any paper offeror
is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant
securities of the offeree company or of a paper offeror prior to
the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead
make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the 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 paper offeror must make
a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities
of the offeree company or of any paper 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 paper offeror, 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 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the
relevant dealing.
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 paper
offeror, they will 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 Takeover Panel's website at 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. If you are in any doubt as to whether you are required
to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure, you
should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20
7638 0129.
Publication on Website
This announcement will be available on Middleby's website at
www.middleby.com and Lincat's website at www.lincatgroup.co.uk by
no later than 12 noon on 24 March 2011.
Appendix 1 CONDITIONS AND FURTHER TERMS OF THE acquisition
The Acquisition will, if it is implemented by means of the
Scheme, be conditional upon the Scheme becoming Effective by not
later than 6.00 p.m. on 30 September 2011 or such later date (if
any) as Bidco and Lincat may, with the consent of the Panel, agree
and (if required) the Court may approve.
Conditions of the Scheme
1. The Scheme will be subject to the following Conditions:
(a) approval of the Scheme by a majority in number representing
not less than 75 per cent. in value of Scheme Shareholders, present
and voting, whether in person or by proxy, at the Court Meeting (or
any adjournment thereof);
(b) the General Resolution being passed by the requisite
majority at the General Meeting; and
(c) the sanction of the Scheme and the confirmation of the
Capital Reduction (with or without modification (but subject to
such modification being acceptable to Bidco and Lincat)), and
office copies of the Court Orders and the Statement of Capital
being delivered for registration to the Registrar.
2. Lincat and Bidco have agreed that, subject to the provisions
of paragraph 3 below and the requirements of the Panel in
accordance with the Code, the Scheme will also be conditional upon,
and accordingly the necessary actions to make the Scheme Effective
will only be taken on, the satisfaction or, where relevant, waiver
of the following Conditions:
(a) no Third Party having decided or intimated a decision to
take, institute, implement or threaten any action, proceeding,
suit, investigation, enquiry or reference, or having required any
action to be taken or otherwise having done anything or having
enacted, made or proposed any statute, regulation, decision, order
or change to published practice and there not continuing to be
outstanding any statute, regulation, decision or order which would
or might reasonably be expected to:
(i) make the Acquisition, its implementation or the acquisition
or proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or
control of, Lincat by any member of the Wider Middleby Group void,
illegal and/or unenforceable under the laws of any relevant
jurisdiction, or otherwise directly or indirectly prevent,
prohibit, or materially restrain, restrict, delay or otherwise
interfere with the implementation of, or impose additional material
conditions or obligations with respect to, or otherwise materially
impede, challenge, interfere or require amendment of the
Acquisition or the acquisition of any such shares or securities by
any member of the Wider Middleby Group;
(ii) require, prevent or delay the divestiture or alter the
terms envisaged for such divestiture by any member of the Wider
Middleby Group or by any member of the Wider Lincat Group of all or
any part of its businesses, assets or property or impose any
limitation on the ability of any of them to conduct their
businesses (or any part thereof) or to own, control or manage any
of their respective businesses, assets or properties (or any part
thereof) to an extent which is in each case material in the context
of the Wider Lincat Group taken as a whole or the Wider Middleby
Group taken as a whole;
(iii) impose any limitation on, or result in a delay in, the
ability of any member of the Wider Middleby Group directly or
indirectly to acquire or hold or to exercise effectively all or any
rights of ownership in respect of shares or other securities in
Lincat or on the ability of any member of the Wider Lincat Group or
any member of the Wider Middleby Group directly or indirectly to
hold or exercise effectively any rights of ownership in respect of
shares or other securities (or the equivalent) in, or to exercise
management control over, any member of the Wider Lincat Group to an
extent which is in each case material in the context of the Wider
Lincat Group taken as a whole or the Wider Middleby Group taken as
a whole;
(iv) require any member of the Wider Middleby Group or the Wider
Lincat Group to acquire or offer to acquire any shares, other
securities (or the equivalent) or interest in any member of the
Wider Lincat Group or any asset owned by any third party (other
than in the implementation of the Scheme or pursuant to Chapter 3
of Part 28 of the Act);
(v) require, prevent or materially delay a divestiture by any
member of the Wider Middleby Group of any shares or other
securities (or the equivalent) in Lincat;
(vi) result in any member of the Wider Middleby Group or the
Wider Lincat Group ceasing to be able to carry on business under
any name under which it presently carries on business;
(vii) impose any material limitation on the ability of any
member of the Wider Middleby Group or any member of the Wider
Lincat Group to integrate or co--ordinate all or any part of its
business with all or any part of the business of any other member
of the Wider Middleby Group and/or the Wider Lincat Group; or
(viii) otherwise materially and adversely affect any or all of
the business, assets, liabilities, financial or trading positions,
profits, prospects or operational performance of the Wider Lincat
Group taken as a whole or of the Wider Middleby Group taken as a
whole;
and all applicable waiting and other time periods and any
extensions of such waiting or time periods during which any Third
Party could decide to take, institute, implement or threaten any
such action, proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or reference
or take any other step under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction
or otherwise intervene in respect of the Acquisition or the
acquisition or proposed acquisition of any shares or other
securities in, or control of, Lincat or any other member of the
Wider Lincat Group by Middleby or any other member of the Wider
Middleby Group, having expired, lapsed or been terminated;
(b) all necessary or appropriate notifications, filings or
applications having been made in connection with the Acquisition
and all necessary waiting periods (including any extensions
thereof) under any applicable legislation or regulation of any
jurisdiction including but not limited to the United States
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 having
expired, lapsed or been terminated (as appropriate) and all
statutory and regulatory obligations in any jurisdiction having
been complied with and all Authorisations necessary or appropriate
in any jurisdiction for or in respect of the Acquisition or the
proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or
control of, Lincat or any other member of the Wider Lincat Group by
any member of the Wider Middleby Group having been obtained in
terms and in a form reasonably satisfactory to Bidco from all
appropriate Third Parties or (without prejudice to the generality
of the foregoing) from any person or bodies with whom any member of
the Wider Lincat Group or the Wider Middleby Group has entered into
contractual arrangements and all such Authorisations necessary or
appropriate to carry on the business of any member of the Wider
Lincat Group in any jurisdiction having been obtained in each case
where the direct consequence of a failure to make such notification
or filing or to wait for the expiry, lapse or termination of any
such waiting period or to comply with such obligation or obtain
such Authorisation would be unlawful in any relevant jurisdiction
or have a material adverse effect on the Wider Lincat Group, any
member of the Middleby Group or the ability of Bidco to implement
the Scheme and all such Authorisations (the absence of which would
have an effect as aforesaid) remaining in full force and effect at
the time at which the Acquisition becomes otherwise unconditional
and there being no notice or intimation of an intention to revoke,
suspend, restrict, modify (in each case to an extent which is
material) or not to renew such Authorisations;
(c) except as Disclosed, there being no provision of any
arrangement, agreement, licence, permit, lease or other instrument
to which any member of the Wider Lincat Group is a party or by or
to which any such member or any of its assets is or may be bound or
be subject or any event or circumstance which, as a consequence of
the Acquisition or the proposed acquisition by any member of the
Wider Middleby Group of any shares or other securities in Lincat or
because of a change in the control or management of any member of
the Wider Lincat Group or otherwise, could or might reasonably be
expected to result in, in each case to an extent which is material
in the context of the Wider Lincat Group taken as a whole:
(i) any monies borrowed by, or any other indebtedness or
liabilities (actual or contingent) of, or any grant available to,
any member of the Wider Lincat Group being or becoming repayable,
or capable of being declared repayable, immediately or prior to its
or their stated maturity date or repayment date, or the ability of
any such member to borrow monies or incur any indebtedness being
withdrawn or inhibited or being capable of becoming or being
withdrawn or inhibited;
(ii) the rights, liabilities, obligations, interests or business
of any member of the Wider Lincat Group or any member of the Wider
Middleby Group under any such arrangement, agreement, licence,
permit, lease or other instrument or the interests or business of
any member of the Wider Lincat Group or any member of the Wider
Middleby Group in or with any other firm or company or body or
person (or any agreement or arrangement relating to any such
business or interests) being terminated or adversely modified or
affected or any onerous obligation or liability arising or any
adverse action being taken thereunder;
(iii) any member of the Wider Lincat Group ceasing to be able to
carry on business under any name under which it presently carries
on business;
(iv) any assets or interests of, or any asset the use of which
is enjoyed by, any member of the Wider Lincat Group being or
falling to be disposed of or charged or any right arising under
which any such asset or interest could be required to be disposed
of or charged or could cease to be available to any member of the
Wider Lincat Group otherwise than in the ordinary course of
business;
(v) the creation or enforcement of any mortgage, charge or other
security interest over the whole or any part of the business,
property, assets or interests of any member of the Wider Lincat
Group or any such mortgage, charge or other security interest
(whenever created, arising or having arisen) becoming
enforceable;
(vi) the value of, or the financial or trading position or
prospects of, any member of the Wider Lincat Group being prejudiced
or adversely affected;
(vii) the creation of any liability (actual or contingent) by
any member of the Wider Lincat Group; or
(viii) any liability of any member of the Wider Lincat Group to
make any severance, termination, bonus or other payment to any of
its directors or other officers; or
(ix) the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of any
member of the Wider Lincat Group in, or the business of any such
member with, any person, firm, body or company (or any arrangements
or agreements relating to any such interest or business) being or
becoming capable of being terminated or adversely modified or
affected,
and, save as Disclosed, no event having occurred which, under
any provision of any such arrangement, agreement, licence, permit,
lease or other instrument to which any member of the Wider Lincat
Group is a party or by or to which any such member or any of its
assets is or may be bound or be subject could result in or would be
reasonably likely to result in any of the events or circumstances
which are referred to in paragraphs (i) to (ix) of this Condition
to an extent which is material in the context of the Lincat Group
taken as a whole;
(d) except as Disclosed, no member of the Wider Lincat Group
having, since 1 January 2011:
(i) issued or agreed to issue or authorised or proposed the
issue of additional shares of any class, or securities or
securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, or rights,
warrants or options to subscribe for or acquire, any such shares or
convertible securities or transferred or sold or agreed to transfer
or sell or authorised or proposed the transfer or sale of Lincat
Shares out of treasury (save, where relevant, as between Lincat and
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Lincat or between such wholly-owned
subsidiaries or for the grant of awards under the Lincat LTIP or to
the Trustee or in order to satisfy any awards granted under the
Lincat LTIP and save as contemplated pursuant to the Scheme or the
Implementation Agreement);
(ii) recommended, declared, paid or made or proposed to
recommend, declare, pay or make any bonus, dividend or other
distribution (whether payable in cash or otherwise) other than to
Lincat or one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries;
(iii) save as between wholly-owned subsidiaries of Lincat or
between Lincat and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, merged with or
demerged from or acquired any body corporate, partnership or
business or acquired or disposed of, or, other than in the ordinary
course of business, transferred, mortgaged or charged or created
any security interest over, any assets or any right, title or
interest in any asset (including shares and trade investments) or
authorised, proposed or announced any intention to do so which is
in each case material in the context of the Wider Lincat Group
taken as a whole;
(iv) save as between Lincat and its wholly-owned subsidiaries or
between such wholly-owned subsidiaries made, authorised, proposed
or announced an intention to propose any change in its loan
capital;
(v) issued, authorised or proposed the issue of any debentures
or (save as between Lincat and its wholly-owned subsidiaries or
between such wholly-owned subsidiaries) incurred or increased any
indebtedness or become subject to any contingent liability, in each
case other than in the ordinary course of business, to an extent
which is material in the context of the Lincat Group taken as a
whole;
(vi) other than in relation to the implementation of the Scheme
or the Acquisition, entered into or varied or authorised, proposed
or announced its intention to enter into or vary any contract,
transaction, arrangement or commitment (whether in respect of
capital expenditure or otherwise) (otherwise than in the ordinary
course of business) which is of a long-term, unusual or onerous
nature, or which involves or could involve an obligation of a
nature or magnitude which is, in any such case, material in the
context of the Lincat Group taken as a whole or which is or is
likely to be restrictive on the business of any member of the Wider
Lincat Group or the Wider Middleby Group;
(vii) entered into or varied the terms of any service agreement
with any director or senior executive of any member of the Wider
Lincat Group (other than increases in remuneration as provided
under the terms of the relevant agreements);
(viii) other than as may be required by the implementation of
the Scheme or the Acquisition and save as contemplated pursuant to
the Implementation Agreement, proposed, agreed to provide or
modified in any material respect the terms of, or exercised
discretion in a way that is not consistent with past practice in
respect of, any share option scheme, incentive scheme, or other
benefit relating to the employment or termination of employment of
any employee of any member of the Wider Lincat Group;
(ix) made or agreed or consented to any significant change to
the terms of the trust deeds constituting the pension schemes
established for its directors, employees or their dependants or the
benefits which accrue or to the pensions which are payable
thereunder, or to the basis on which qualification for, or accrual
or entitlement to, such benefits or pensions are calculated or
determined or to the basis on which the liabilities (including
pensions) of such pension schemes are funded or made or the
contributions payable to any such schemes, or agreed or consented
to any change to the trustees involving the appointment of a trust
corporation;
(x) implemented or effected, or authorised, proposed or
announced its intention to implement or effect, any composition,
assignment, reconstruction, amalgamation, commitment, scheme or
other transaction or arrangement (other than the Scheme);
(xi) purchased, redeemed or repaid or announced any proposal to
purchase, redeem or repay any of its own shares or other securities
or reduced or, save in respect of the matters mentioned in
sub--paragraph (i) above, made any other change to any part of its
share capital;
(xii) waived or compromised any claim otherwise than in the
ordinary course of business in any case in a manner or on terms
that are material in the context of the Lincat Group taken as a
whole;
(xiii) save as envisaged by the terms of Scheme or as required
to implement the Acquisition, made any material alteration to its
articles of association or other incorporation documents;
(xiv) (other than in respect of a member which is dormant and
was solvent at the relevant time) taken or proposed any steps,
corporate action or had any legal proceedings instituted or
threatened against it in relation to the suspension of payments, a
moratorium of any indebtedness, its winding-up (voluntary or
otherwise), dissolution, reorganisation or for the appointment of
any administrator, receiver, manager, administrative receiver,
trustee or similar officer of all or any material part of its
assets or revenues or any analogous proceedings in any jurisdiction
or appointed any analogous person in any jurisdiction or had any
such person appointed;
(xv) been unable, or admitted in writing that it is unable, to
pay its debts or commenced negotiations with one or more of its
creditors with a view to rescheduling or restructuring any of its
indebtedness, or having stopped or suspended (or threatened to stop
or suspend) payment of its debts generally or ceased or threatened
to cease carrying on all or a substantial part of its business;
or
(xvi) entered into any contract, commitment, agreement or
arrangement otherwise than in the ordinary course of business or
passed any resolution or made any offer (which remains open for
acceptance) with respect to or announced an intention to, or to
propose to, effect any of the transactions, matters or events
referred to in this Condition;
(e) except as Disclosed, since 1 January 2011:
(i) there having been no adverse change in the business, assets,
financial or trading position or profits or prospects or
operational performance of any member of the Wider Lincat Group to
an extent which is material to the Lincat Group taken as a
whole;
(ii) no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or
other legal proceedings having been threatened, announced or
instituted by or against or remaining outstanding against any
member of the Wider Lincat Group or to which any member of the
Wider Lincat Group is or may become a party (whether as claimant or
defendant or otherwise) and no enquiry or investigation by, or
complaint or reference to, any Third Party against or in respect of
any member of the Wider Lincat Group having been threatened,
announced or instituted by or against, or remaining outstanding in
respect of, any member of the Wider Lincat Group which, in any such
case, might reasonably be expected materially and adversely to
affect the Lincat Group taken as a whole;
(iii) no enquiry or investigation by, or complaint or reference
to, any Third Party having been threatened, announced, implemented
or instituted by or against or remaining outstanding against or in
respect of any member of the Wider Lincat Group which in any such
case is or could reasonably be expected to be adverse to the
interests of any member of the Wider Lincat Group and is material
in the context of the Wider Lincat Group taken as a whole;
(iv) no contingent or other liability having arisen or become
known to Bidco which might be likely adversely to affect the
business, assets, financial or trading position or profits or
prospects of any member of the Wider Lincat Group to an extent
which is material to the Lincat Group taken as a whole;
(v) no steps having been taken and no omissions having been made
which are likely to result in the withdrawal, cancellation,
termination or modification of any Authorisation held by any member
of the Wider Lincat Group, which is necessary for the proper
carrying on of its business and the withdrawal, cancellation,
termination or modification of which is material to the Lincat
Group taken as a whole; and
(vi) no member of the Wider Lincat Group having conducted its
business in breach of any applicable laws and regulations to an
extent which is material in the context of the Wider Lincat Group
taken as a whole;
(f) except as Disclosed, Bidco not having discovered after the
date of this announcement:
(i) that any financial, business or other information concerning
the Wider Lincat Group publicly disclosed or disclosed to any
member of the Wider Middleby Group at any time by or on behalf of
any member of the Wider Lincat Group which is material in the
context of the Acquisition is to a material extent misleading,
contains a material misrepresentation of fact or omits to state a
fact necessary to make that information not misleading (and which
was not subsequently corrected before the date of this
announcement);
(ii) that any member of the Wider Lincat Group is subject to any
liability, contingent or otherwise, which is material in the
context of the Lincat Group taken as a whole; or
(iii) any information which affects the import of any
information disclosed to any member of the Wider Middleby Group at
any time by or on behalf of any member of the Wider Lincat Group
which is material in the context of the Lincat Group taken as a
whole;
(g) except as Disclosed, Bidco not having discovered after the
date of this announcement in relation to any release, emission,
accumulation, discharge, disposal or other fact or circumstance
which has impaired or is likely to impair the environment
(including property) or harmed or is likely to harm human health,
that any past or present member of the Wider Lincat Group, in a
manner or to an extent which is material in the context of the
Lincat Group, (i) has committed any violation of any applicable
laws, statutes, regulations, notices or other requirements of any
Third Party; and/or (ii) has incurred any liability (whether actual
or contingent) to any Third Party; and/or (iii) is likely to incur
any liability (whether actual or contingent), or is required, to
make good, remediate, repair, re--instate or clean up the
environment (including any property).
Further Terms of the Acquisition
1. Subject to the requirements of the Panel in accordance with
the Code, Bidco reserves the right to waive, in whole or in part,
all or any of the above Conditions, except Condition 1. The
Conditions, other than Condition 1, must be fulfilled, be
determined by Bidco to be or remain satisfied or (if capable of
waiver) be waived prior to the commencement of the First Court
Hearing, failing which the Scheme will lapse. Bidcoshall be under
no obligation to waive, to determine to be or remain satisfied or
treat as fulfilled any of such Conditions as at that time,
notwithstanding that the other Conditions may at an earlier date
have been waived or fulfilled and that there are, at such earlier
date, no circumstances indicating that any such Condition may not
be capable of fulfillment.
2. If Bidco is required by the Panel to make an offer for Lincat
Shares under the provisions of Rule 9 of the Code, Bidco may make
such alterations to any of the above Conditions as are necessary to
comply with the provisions of that Rule.
3. Bidco reserves the right to elect (with the consent of the
Panel where necessary) to implement the Acquisition by means of an
Offer as an alternative to the Scheme. In such event, the Offer
will be implemented on substantially the same terms, subject to
appropriate amendments, as those which would apply to the Scheme.
If Bidco makes an Offer it will be conditional on valid acceptances
being received in respect of 75 per cent. (or such higher
percentage as Bidco may decide with the consent of the Panel, or
such lower percentage as Bidco may decide or the Panel may require)
in nominal value of Lincat Shares to which the Offer relates.
Further, if sufficient acceptances of such Offer are received
and/or sufficient Lincat Shares are otherwise acquired, it is the
intention of Bidco to apply the provisions of the Act to acquire
compulsorily any outstanding Lincat Shares to which such Offer
relates.
4. The Scheme will lapse if it is referred to the UK Competition
Commission on or before the later of the date of the Court Meeting
and the date of the General Meeting. In such event, Lincat will not
be bound by the terms of the Scheme.
5. The availability of the offer by Bidco to acquire the entire
issued and to be issued share capital of Lincat to persons not
resident in the UK may be affected by the laws of the relevant
jurisdictions. Persons who are not resident in the UK should inform
themselves about and observe any applicable requirements.
6. Each of the Conditions shall be regarded as a separate
Condition and shall not be limited by reference to any other
Condition.
7. The Scheme will be governed by English law and be subject to
the jurisdiction of the English courts, to the Conditions and to
the further terms set out in the Scheme Document. The Scheme will
be subject to the applicable requirements of the Code, the Panel,
the London Stock Exchange and the FSA.
Appendix 2 SOURCES AND BASES OF INFORMATION
Unless otherwise stated in this announcement:
1. The financial informationrelating to Middleby is extracted
from Middleby's announcement of its results for the three months
ending 1 January 2011 and the financial year ending 1 January
2011;
2. The financial information relating to Lincat is extracted
from the Preliminary Results Announcement and the audited
consolidated financial statements of Lincat for the relevant
years;
3. As at the close of business on 22 March 2011, being the last
Business Day prior to this announcement, there were 5,491,989
Lincat Shares in issue, as has been confirmed by Lincat. The
International Securities Identification Number for Lincat Shares is
GB0005170492;
4. The fully diluted share capital of Lincat (being 5,514,489
([1]) Lincat Shares) is calculated upon the basis of:
-- the current issued share capital of Lincat as referred to in
paragraph 3 above; and
-- a further 22,500 Lincat Shares which may be issued on or
after the date of this announcement in connection with the Lincat
LTIP;
_____________________________
([1] ) Excludes the 1 Lincat Share proposed to be subscribed for by Bidco at a price of 1,050 pence prior to the hearing of the Court at which the First Court Order will be sought.
5. The value of the entire issued and to be issued share capital
of Lincat under the terms of the Acquisition is based on the offer
price of 1,050 pence per Lincat Share and fully diluted share
capital of Lincat as set out in 4 above;
6. All prices for Lincat Shares have been derived from Bloomberg
and represent Closing Prices on the relevant date(s);
7. The premium calculations to the price per Lincat Share have
been calculated by reference to:
-- a price of 762.5 pence per Lincat Share, being the Closing
Price on 22 March 2011, the last Business Day prior to the date of
this announcement, as derived from data provided by Bloomberg;
-- a price of 757.1 pence per Lincat Share, being the average
Closing Price over the one month period from 22 February 2011 until
22 March 2011, as derived from data provided by Bloomberg; and
-- a price of 706.2 pence per Lincat Share, being the average
Closing Price over the three months period from 22 December 2010
until 22 March 2011, as derived from data provided by
Bloomberg.
Appendix 3 DETAILS OF IRREVOCABLE UNDERTAKINGS
1. Lincat Directors
The following Lincat Directors have given irrevocable
undertakings to vote, or to procure (or, in the case of 22,575
Lincat Shares representing approximately 0.4 per cent. of the
current issued share capital of Lincat, to use best endeavours to
procure) that the registered holder votes, in favour of the
resolutions relating to the Acquisition at the Meetings (or, in the
event the Acquisition is implemented by means of an Offer, to
accept, or procure acceptance of (or, in the case of 22,575 Lincat
Shares representing approximately 0.4 per cent. of the current
issued share capital of Lincat, to use best endeavours to procure
acceptance of) the Offer) in respect of their own beneficial
holdings of Lincat Shares:
Total Number of Percentage of the current issued share
Name Lincat Shares capital of Lincat
Martin Craddock 1,144,910 20.85%
Paul Bouscarle 493,045 8.98%
Richard Kemp 22,575 0.41%
Terry Storey 4,527 0.08%
Steve Mitchell 1,901 0.03%
Alan Schroeder 5,652 0.10%
Total 1,672,610 30.5%
These irrevocable undertakings will continue to be binding in
the event that a higher competing offer for Lincat is made.
2. Other Lincat Shareholders
The following Lincat Shareholders have given irrevocable
undertakings to vote, or to procure (or, in the case of 5,359
Lincat Shares representing approximately 0.1 per cent. of the
current issued share capital of Lincat, to use best endeavours to
procure) that the registered holder votes, in favour of the
resolutions relating to the Acquisition at the Meetings (or, in the
event the Acquisition is implemented by means of an Offer, to
accept or procure the acceptance of (or, in the case of 5,359
Lincat Shares representing approximately 0.1 per cent. of the
current issued share capital of Lincat, to use best endeavours to
procure acceptance of) the Offer) in respect of their own
beneficial holdings of Lincat Shares:
Percentage of the current
Total Number of issued share capital of
Name Lincat Shares Lincat
Marilyn Schroeder 27,105 0.49%
Renata Kemp 5,359 0.10%
John Craddock 377,432 6.87%
Philip and Diana Bouscarle 223,772 4.07%
John and Doreen Hill 161,808 2.95%
Jan Atherton 1,206 0.02%
Ailsa Craddock 13,000 0.24%
Tim Tindle 3,372 0.06%
Total 813,054 14.8%
These irrevocable undertakings will continue to be binding in
the event that a higher competing offer for Lincat is made.
Percentage of the current
Total Number of issued share capital of
Name Lincat Shares Lincat
Marlborough Fund Managers 324,500 5.91%
Total 324,500 5.91%
This irrevocable undertaking will cease to be binding if: (i) a
competing cash offer for all Lincat Shares is announced which
values each Lincat Share at a price which equals or exceeds 110 per
cent. of the value of the consideration per Lincat Share available
under the terms of the Acquisition; (ii) Bidco does not, within ten
days of the announcement of such competing offer, announce a
revised offer which values each Lincat Share at a price equal to or
greater than the value of the consideration per Lincat Share under
the terms of the competing offer; and (iii) Marlborough Fund
Managersnotifies Bidco within three days of the expiry of such ten
day period that its obligations under the irrevocable undertaking
have ceased to have effect.
3. Lapse of Irrevocable Undertakings
Each of the irrevocable commitments described in this Appendix 3
will cease to be binding on the earlier of the following
occurrences:
-- if the Scheme has not become Effective by 6.00 p.m. on 30
September 2011 (or such later time or date as agreed between Bidco
and Lincat, with the approval of the Court and/or the Panel if
required) and an Offer has not been announced prior to that time;
or
-- if the Scheme lapses or (with the consent of the Panel) is
withdrawn and no Offer is announced within 14 days of such lapse or
withdrawal; or
-- if an Offer, if made, lapses or (with the consent of the
Panel) is withdrawn without becoming or being declared
unconditional in all respects.
Appendix 4 DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply throughout this announcement
unless the context otherwise requires:
"Acquisition" the proposed acquisition by Bidco of
the entire issued and to be issued
share capital of Lincat (other than
the Excluded Shares), to be
implemented by means of the Scheme
or, should Bidco so elect with the
consent of the Panel, by means of an
Offer
"Act" the Companies Act 2006, as amended or
re-enacted
"Affiliate" in relation to a party, any person
that directly or indirectly, through
one or more intermediaries, controls,
is controlled by, or is under common
control with, the party, and for
these purposes a party shall be
deemed to control a person if such
party possesses, directly or
indirectly, the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management
and policies of the person, whether
through the ownership of over 50 per
cent. of the voting securities or the
right to appoint over 50 per cent. of
the relevant board of directors by
contract or otherwise
"AIM" the AIM market of the London Stock
Exchange
"AIM Rules" the AIM Rules for Companies published
by the London Stock Exchange from
time to time
"Approach" an approach, offer, enquiry, proposal
or similar action
"Authorisations" authorisations, orders, grants,
recognitions, confirmations,
consents, licences, clearances,
certificates, permissions or
approvals
"Award Holder" the holder of a subsisting award to
acquire Lincat Shares granted
pursuant to the Lincat LTIP and
"Award Holders" shall be construed
accordingly
"Bidco" Middleby Holding UK Ltd
"Business Day" a day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays
and public holidays) on which banks
are generally open for business in
the City of London
"Capital Reduction" the proposed reduction of Lincat's
share capital involving the
cancellation and the extinguishing of
the Scheme Shares pursuant to the
Scheme as provided for under section
641 of the Act
"Closing Price" the closing middle market price of a
Lincat Share as derived from
Bloomberg on any particular date
"Code" the City Code on Takeovers and
Mergers, issued by the Panel
"Competing Asset Proposal" an Approach (whether or not
conditional) made by or on behalf of
a third party which is not acting in
concert (as defined in the Code) with
Bidco in relation to a transaction
that constitutes a disposal of a
significant proportion or value
(being 15 per cent. or more) of the
undertaking, assets or business of
Lincat or any member of the Lincat
Group, whether implemented in a
single transaction or a series of
transactions
"Competing Offer Proposal" an Approach (whether or not
conditional) made by or on behalf of
a third party which is not acting in
concert with Bidco in relation to:
(a) an offer, scheme of arrangement,
merger, acquisition or business
combination involving Lincat or any
member of the Lincat Group, the
purpose of which is to acquire all or
a substantial proportion of (being 15
per cent. or more when aggregated
with shares already held by the
relevant third party and any body
acting in concert with that third
party) the issued or to be issued
share capital of Lincat or any member
of the Lincat Group; or (b) a
demerger and/or any material
reorganisation, division or split of
Lincat or the Lincat Group; or (c) a
transaction which would be an
alternative to, or is inconsistent
with, or would be reasonably likely
to preclude or materially impede,
delay or prejudice the implementation
of, the Acquisition, in each case
whether implemented in a single
transaction or a series of
transactions
"Competing Proposal" a Competing Asset Proposal or a
Competing Offer Proposal
"Conditions" the conditions to the implementation
of the Acquisition set out in
Appendix 1 to this announcement, with
such consequential amendments as may
be required as a result of any
election by Bidco to implement the
Acquisition by means of an Offer
"Court" the High Court of Justice in England
and Wales
"Court Meeting" the meeting or meetings of Scheme
Shareholders as may be convened
pursuant to an order of the Court
under section 896 of the Act for the
purposes of considering and, if
thought fit, approving the Scheme
(with or without any amendment
approved or imposed by the Court and
agreed by Lincat and Bidco) including
any adjournment, postponement or
reconvention of any such meeting,
notice of which shall be contained in
the Scheme Document
"Court Orders" the First Court Order and the Second
Court Order
"CREST" the relevant system (as defined in
the Regulations) in respect of which
Euroclear is the operator (as defined
in the Regulations)
"Disclosed" (i) as fairly disclosed in the
Preliminary Results Announcement and
Lincat's report and accounts for the
year ended 31 December 2009; (ii) as
publicly announced by Lincat (by the
delivery of an announcement to a
Regulatory Information Service) prior
to the date of this announcement;
(iii) as fairly disclosed in the
Scheme Document; or (iv) as otherwise
fairly disclosed in writing by or on
behalf of Lincat to Middleby, Bidco
or their advisers prior to the date
of this announcement in the course of
negotiations in connection with the
Acquisition
"Effective" (i) if the Acquisition is implemented
by means of the Scheme, the Scheme
having become effective pursuant to
its terms; or (ii) if the Acquisition
is implemented by means of an Offer,
the Offer having been declared or
having become unconditional in all
respects in accordance with the
requirements of the Code
"Effective Date" the date on which the Acquisition
becomes Effective
"Enlarged Group" the combined businesses of the
Middleby Group and the Lincat Group
following completion of the
Acquisition
"Euroclear" Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited
"Excluded Shares" any Lincat Shares which are: (a)
registered in the name of or
beneficially owned by any member of
the Middleby Group or its nominee(s)
at the relevant time; or (b)
registered in the name of the Trustee
and which the Trustee requires in
order to satisfy an award granted by
it pursuant to the Lincat LTIP in
respect of which the Trustee has not
received an Exercise Notice from the
Award Holder prior to the Scheme
Record Time
"Exercise Notice" a notice issued by an Award Holder to
the Trustee pursuant to which the
Award Holder exercises an award
granted to him pursuant to the Lincat
LTIP in accordance with the LTIP
Proposals
"FSA" the Financial Services Authority
"First Court Order" the order of the Court sanctioning
the Scheme under section 899 of the
Act
"General Meeting" the general meeting of Lincat to be
convened in connection with the
Scheme and the Capital Reduction,
notice of which will be contained in
the Scheme Document, including any
adjournment, postponement or
reconvention thereof
"General Resolution" the resolution to be proposed at the
General Meeting in connection with
the Scheme
"Group" in relation to any person, its
subsidiaries, subsidiary undertakings
and holding companies and the
subsidiaries and subsidiary
undertakings of any such holding
company
"Implementation Agreement" the implementation agreement between
Bidco, Middleby and Lincat dated 22
March 2011
"KPMG Corporate Finance" KPMG Corporate Finance, a division of
KPMG LLP which is authorised and
regulated by the FSA for investment
business activities. KPMG LLP is
registered in England with number
OC301540 and has its registered
office at 15 Canada Square, London
E14 5GL
"Lincat" Lincat Group plc
"Lincat Board" or Lincat Directors" the directors of Lincat
"Lincat EBT" the Lincat Group plc Employee Benefit
Trust
"Lincat Group" Lincat and its Group
"Lincat LTIP" the Lincat Group plc Long Term
Incentive Plan (2007)
"Lincat Shareholder(s)" holders of Lincat Shares
"Lincat Share(s)" ordinary shares of 10 pence each in
the capital of Lincat
"Livingstone Partners" Livingstone Partners LLP, a limited
liability partnership registered in
England with number OC307858 and with
its registered office at 15 Adam
Street, London WC2N 6RJ
"London Stock Exchange" the London Stock Exchange plc or its
successor
"LTIP Proposals" the proposals as agreed by Lincat and
Middleby for the exercise of
subsisting awards granted pursuant to
the Lincat LTIP in connection with
the Scheme
"Marlborough Fund Managers" Marlborough Fund Managers
(Marlborough UK Micro-Cap Growth Fund
and Marlborough Special Situations
Fund)
"Meetings" the Court Meeting and the General
Meeting and "Meeting" means either of
them
"Middleby" The Middleby Corporation
"Middleby Group" Middleby and its Group
"Offer" should Bidco elect to effect the
Acquisition by means of a takeover
offer (within the meaning of section
974 of the Act), the offer to be made
by Bidco (or an Affiliate of Bidco)
for the entire issued and to be
issued ordinary share capital of
Lincat (other than any shares held by
any associate (as that term is
defined in section 988 of the Act) of
Middleby) on the terms and subject to
the conditions to be set out in the
related offer document and form of
acceptance including, where the
context requires, any subsequent
amendment, revision, variation,
extension or renewal thereof
"Panel" the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers
"Preliminary Results Announcement" Lincat's preliminary announcement of
its results for the year ended 31
December 2010 published on the same
date as this announcement
"Registrar" the Registrar of Companies in England
and Wales, within the meaning of the
Act
"Regulations" the Uncertificated Securities
Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3755)
"Regulatory Information Service" an information dissemination provider
approved by the FSA and whose name is
set out in a list maintained by the
FSA
"Scheme" the scheme of arrangement proposed to
be made under Part 26 of the Act
between Lincat and the Scheme
Shareholders to implement the
Acquisition to be contained in the
Scheme Document, the principal terms
of which are set out in this
announcement, with or subject to any
modification, amendment, revision,
addition or condition approved or
imposed by the Court and agreed to by
Lincat and Bidco
"Scheme Document" the circular to be issued by Lincat
to Scheme Shareholders setting out
the terms and conditions of the
Acquisition and certain information
about the parties and containing the
Scheme and notices convening the
Meetings
"Scheme Record Time" the time and date specified as such
in the Scheme Document, expected to
be 6.00 p.m. (London time) on the
Business Day immediately preceding
the Second Court Hearing Date
"Scheme Shareholders" holders of Scheme Shares, and a
"Scheme Shareholder" shall mean any
one of these Scheme Shareholders
"Scheme Shares" the Lincat Shares in issue on the
date of the Scheme Document together
with any further Lincat Shares (if
any): (a) issued after the date of
despatch of the Scheme Document and
prior to the Voting Record Time; and
(b) issued on or after the Voting
Record Time and prior to the Scheme
Record Time either on terms that the
original or any subsequent holder
thereof shall be bound by the Scheme
or, in respect of which the holder
thereof is, or shall have agreed in
writing to be, bound by the Scheme,
other than the Excluded Shares
"Second Court Hearing" the hearing by the Court to confirm
the Capital Reduction
"Second Court Hearing Date" the date of the commencement of the
Second Court Hearing
"Second Court Order" the order of the Court confirming the
Capital Reduction under section 648
of the Act
"Statement of Capital" the statement of capital (approved by
the Court) showing with respect to
Lincat's share capital, as altered by
the Second Court Order confirming the
Capital Reduction, the information
required by section 649 of the Act
"subsidiary", "subsidiary shall be construed in accordance with
undertaking", "undertaking", "holding the Act
company" and "associated
undertaking"
"Third Party" any central bank, ministry,
government (whether national, state,
municipal or local government and
including any subdivision, court,
administrative agency or commission
or other authority thereof),
governmental or quasi governmental
(including the European Union),
supranational, statutory, regulatory,
environmental, administrative, fiscal
or investigative body (including,
without limitation, any national or
supranational anti-trust or merger
control authority), court, trade
agency, authority, association,
institution, private body corporate,
or any other body, entity or person
whatsoever in any jurisdiction
including, for the avoidance of
doubt, the Panel
"Trustee" Lincat Group EBT Limited in its
capacity as trustee of the Lincat
EBT
"UK" or "United Kingdom" the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland
"US" or "United States" the United States of America, its
territories and possessions, any
state of the United States of America
and the District of Columbia and all
other areas subject to its
jurisdiction
"US$" the lawful currency of the United
States
"Wider Lincat Group" Lincat and its associated
undertakings and any other body
corporate, partnership, joint venture
or person in which the Lincat and
such undertakings (aggregating their
interests) have an interest of more
than 20 per cent. of the voting or
equity capital or the equivalent
"Wider Middleby Group" Middleby and its associated
undertakings and any other body
corporate, partnership, joint venture
or person in which Middleby and such
undertakings (aggregating their
interests) have an interest of more
than 20 per cent. of the voting or
equity capital or the equivalent ,
including Bidco
"Voting Record Time" 6.00 p.m. (London time) on the day
which is two days before the date of
the Court Meeting or any adjournment,
postponement or reconvention thereof
"GBP" or "pounds" or "pence" the lawful currency of the United
Kingdom
All times referred to are London time unless otherwise
stated.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
OFBPGUACWUPGUUW
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