TIDMSTT
RNS Number : 3465G
One Fifty One plc
06 May 2014
The One51 Plastics Holdings Limited ("One51") Recommended cash
offer for Straight plc ("Straight") to be effected by means of a
scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006
announcement for One51 released on 02/05/14 at 16:39 under RNS No
2389G has been re-released to facilitate onward transmission by
third party vendors.
The announcement is unchanged and is reproduced in full
below.
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 OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION
Announcement For Immediate Release
2 May 2014
One51 Plastics Holdings Limited ("One51")
Recommended cash offer for
Straight plc ("Straight")
to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement
under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006
SUMMARY
-- The boards of One51 and Straight announce that they have
reached agreement on the terms of a recommended offer by One51 for
the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Straight (the
"Offer"). The Offer is to be effected by means of a scheme of
arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act.
-- The consideration payable for each Straight Share shall be 78 pence in cash.
-- The Offer values the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Straight at approximately GBP10.7 million and represents a premium of approximately:
-- 66.0 per cent to the Closing Price of 47.0 pence per Straight
Share on 13 February 2014 (being the last business day prior to the
date on which the Offer Period commenced);
-- 82.1 per cent to the average Closing Price of 42.8 pence per
Straight Share in the one month period ended 13 February 2014
(being the last business day prior to the date on which the Offer
Period commenced);
-- 100.2 per cent to the average Closing Price of approximately
39.0 pence per Straight Share over the three month period ended 13
February 2014 (being the last business day prior to the date on
which the Offer Period commenced); and
-- 98.9 per cent to the average Closing Price of approximately
39.2 pence per Straight Share over the six month period ended 13
February 2014 (being the last business day prior to the date on
which the Offer Period commenced).
-- The Board of Straight, which has been so advised by Cenkos
Securities plc ("Cenkos"), consider the terms of the Offer to be
fair and reasonable. In providing its advice to the Board of
Straight, Cenkos has taken into account the Board of Straight's
commercial assessment.
-- The Board of Straight unanimously recommends that all
Straight Shareholders vote in favour of all of the resolutions to
be proposed at the Court Meeting and the GM to approve and
implement the Offer.
-- One51 has received irrevocable undertakings from each of the
Directors of Straight to vote in favour of the Offer at the Court
Meeting and the GM in respect of, in aggregate, 4,710,303 Straight
Shares, representing approximately 39.6 per cent of the existing
issued share capital of Straight.
-- All of the above undertakings remain binding even in the
event of a higher competing offer for Straight, unless the Offer
lapses or is withdrawn.
-- One51 has also obtained irrevocable undertakings from:
Straight Shareholder Number of Straight Percentage of
Shares Straight Shares
(%)
---------------------- ------------------- -----------------
Ruffer LLP 413,700 3.5
---------------------- ------------------- -----------------
Trustees of the
Straight Employee
Benefit Trust 400,000 3.4
---------------------- ------------------- -----------------
Investec Wealth
& Investment
Limited 276,350 2.3
---------------------- ------------------- -----------------
-- The above undertakings remain binding in the event of a
higher competing offer for Straight, unless the Offer lapses or is
withdrawn or unless such higher competing offer is at a price which
is more than 10 per cent. higher than the Offer Price.
-- One51 has therefore received irrevocable undertakings in
respect of a total of 5,800,353 Straight Shares, representing, in
aggregate, approximately 48.7 per cent. of the issued share capital
of Straight to vote in favour of the Offer at the Court Meeting and
the GM.
-- IBI Corporate Finance Limited, financial adviser to One51, is
satisfied that sufficient resources are available to One51 to
satisfy in full the cash consideration payable by One51 pursuant to
the terms of the Offer.
-- In accordance with Rule 13 of the Code, it is a pre-condition
of the Offer being made that there will be no reference of the
Offer to Phase 2 investigation by the Competition and Markets
Authority under section 33 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (as amended)
("Phase 2 Investigation") or, if there is such a reference, a
decision by the relevant authority to allow the Offer to proceed is
made on terms satisfactory to One51.
Commenting on the Offer Alan Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of
One51 Group, said:
"The board of One51 Group looks forward to the integration of
Straight within its existing plastics division. We aim to support
Straight in its growth plans by providing the security of a strong
balance sheet and continuing to innovate the business model through
investment in technology and machinery. The combination of One51
and Straight is an exciting opportunity as it adds considerable
breadth, depth and scale to One51's existing offering, creating a
leading specialist injection moulding group in the UK which can
then grow into other European markets. This acquisition will also
drive growth for the Enlarged Group driving further value to our
shareholders.
James Newman, Chairman of Straight, said:
"The Board of Straight is pleased to have agreed terms with
One51. We consider that the Offer represents an attractive premium
to the average share price of Straight in the period prior to the
announcement of a potential Offer. We welcome the opportunity to
join One51 which we believe will bring immediate and long term
benefits to our clients and staff ".
This summary should be read in conjunction with, and is subject
to, the full text of the following announcement. The Offer will be
made subject to the Conditions and further terms set out in
Appendix 1 to this announcement and on and subject to the full
terms and conditions to be set out in the Scheme Document.
The Scheme Document, containing further details, terms and
conditions of the Offer, will be posted to Straight Shareholders as
soon as practicable after the Court grants leave to convene the
Court Meeting and in any event within 28 days of the date of this
announcement. Resolutions to approve the Scheme will be put to
Straight Shareholders at the Court Meeting and resolutions relating
to the Scheme will be put to Straight Shareholders at the GM. It is
expected that the Court Meeting and the GM to approve the Scheme
and the Capital Reduction will be held in June 2014. Subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of the Conditions, it is expected that the
Scheme will become effective in early July 2014.
Enquiries:
One51 Group
Alan Walsh, Chief Executive
Officer Telephone: +353(0)1 612 1151
IBI Corporate Finance
Limited
(financial adviser to
One51)
Leo Casey Telephone: +353(0) 7662 34800
Straight
James Newman, Chairman
Jonathan Straight, Chief
Executive Officer Telephone: 0113 245 2244
Cenkos Securities plc
(financial adviser to
Straight)
Ivonne Cantú
Michael Johnson Telephone: 020 7397 8900
FURTHER INFORMATION
This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or a document
which is equivalent to a prospectus. Any decision in relation to
the Offer should be made only on the basis of the information
contained in the Scheme Document or any document by which the
proposals relating to the Offer are made, which will include the
full terms and conditions of the Offer, including details of how to
vote in respect of the Offer. The One51 Directors and the Straight
Directors urge Straight Shareholders to read the Scheme Document
when it becomes available as it will contain important information
relating to the Offer.
IBI Corporate Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated
by the Central Bank of Ireland, is acting exclusively for One51 and
no-one else in connection with the Offer and will not be
responsible to anyone other than One51 for providing the
protections afforded to clients of IBI Corporate Finance Limited
nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer, the content of
this announcement nor any matter referred to herein.
Cenkos Securities plc, which is authorised and regulated in the
United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting
exclusively for Straight and no-one else in connection with the
Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Straight for
providing the protections afforded to clients of Cenkos Securities
plc nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer, the content
of this announcement nor any matter referred to herein.
Appendix 1 sets out the Conditions to, and certain further terms
of, the Offer.
Appendix 2 sets out further information, including the bases and
sources of information from which the financial calculations used
in this announcement have been derived.
Appendix 3 contains the definitions of terms used in this
announcement (including this summary).
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be affected by the
laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of
which they are citizens. Such persons (including, without
limitation, nominees, trustees and custodians) should inform
themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory
requirements of their jurisdictions. Further details in relation to
Overseas Shareholders will be contained in the Scheme Document.
Responsibility for the information contained in this
announcement is accepted in accordance with the statement regarding
such responsibility on page 15 of this announcement.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements
with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and
business of Straight and certain plans and objectives of the boards
of Straight and One51 with respect to them. These forward-looking
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate
only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements
often use words such as "anticipate", "target", "expect",
"estimate", "intend", "plan", "goal", "believe", "will", "may",
"should", "would", "could" or other words of similar meaning. These
statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by the
boards of Straight and One51 in light of their experience and their
perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected
future developments and other factors they believe appropriate. By
their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and
uncertainty, because they relate to events and depend on
circumstances that will or may occur in the future and the factors
described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this
announcement could cause actual results and developments to differ
materially from those expressed in or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Although Straight, One51 and the
persons who have accepted responsibility for the information
contained in this announcement believe that the expectations
reflected in their respective forward-looking statements are
reasonable, they can give no assurance that such expectations will
prove to have been correct and Straight, One51 and the persons who
have accepted responsibility for the information contained in this
announcement therefore caution you not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements which speak only as at the date of
this announcement.
NOTICE TO US INVESTORS IN STRAIGHT
The Offer relates to the shares of an English company that is
not registered under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"US Exchange Act") and is being made by means of a scheme of
arrangement provided for under English company law. A transaction
effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the
tender offer rules or the proxy solicitation rules under the US
Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Offer is subject to the disclosure
requirements and practices applicable in the United Kingdom to
schemes of arrangement which differ from the disclosure
requirements of the United States tender offer and proxy
solicitation rules under the Exchange Act. If, in the future, One51
exercises the right to implement the Offer by way of a takeover
offer and decides to extend the offer into the United States, the
offer will be made in compliance with applicable US laws and
regulations including the applicable provisions of the tender offer
rules under the US Exchange Act, to the extent applicable.
Financial information included (or incorporated by reference) in
this announcement and the Scheme Document has been or will have
been prepared in accordance with accounting standards applicable in
the United Kingdom that may not be comparable to financial
information of US companies or companies whose financial statements
are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States.
It may be difficult for US holders of Straight Shares to enforce
their rights and any claim arising out of US federal laws, since
One51 and Straight are located in a non-US jurisdiction and some or
all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-US
jurisdiction. US holders of Straight Shares may not be able to sue
a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for
violations of the US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult
to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves
to a US court's judgement.
NO PROFIT FORECASTS OR ESTIMATES
No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit
forecast or estimate for any period and no statement in this
announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or
earnings per ordinary share for One51 or Straight, as appropriate,
for the current or future financial years would necessarily match
or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per
ordinary shares for One51 or Straight, as appropriate.
PUBLICATION ON WEBSITE
A copy of this announcement will be available free of charge,
subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in
Restricted Jurisdictions, on One51's website at www.one51.com and
on Straight's website at www.straight.co.uk/investors by not later
than noon (London time) on the business day following this
announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the contents of
those websites nor the contents of any website accessible from
hyperlinks on any such website are incorporated into or form part
of this announcement.
Neither One51 nor Straight (nor any of their respective
directors, officers, employees, agents or advisers) make any
representation or warranty (express or implied), or give any
guarantee in this announcement as to the accuracy or completeness
of the information on the websites referred to above (nor any other
website) nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks
on any such
website, nor shall they be liable for any loss or damage of any
kind, direct or indirect, that any person may suffer as a result of
using these websites or acting in reliance of the information on
such websites. Persons who access such websites shall do so subject
to the terms (if any) stated on those websites.
You may request a hard copy of this announcement (by contacting
Sarah Dunne of IBI Corporate Finance at
sarah.dunne@ibicorporatefinance.ie or by submitting a request in
writing to Sarah Dunne at IBI Corporate Finance, 2 Burlington
Plaza, Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland. It is important that you
note that, unless you make such a request, a hard copy of this
announcement may not be sent to you. You may also request that all
future documents, announcements and information to be sent to you
in relation to the Offer should be in hard copy form.
DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY CODE
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the City Code, any person who is interested
in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree
company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror
other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced
that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an
Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer
period and, if later, following the announcement in which any
securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening
Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests
and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant
securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any
securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a
person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than
3.30pm (London time) on the 10(th) business day following the
commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later
than 3.30pm (London time) on the 10(th) business day following the
announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first
identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of
the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to
the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead
make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the City Code, any person who is, or
becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant
securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange
offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any
relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities
exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the
dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions
in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of
(i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror,
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 3.30pm (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
securities exchange 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 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.
You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44
(0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are
required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing
Disclosure.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain
other information provided by Straight Shareholders, persons with
information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of
communications from Straight may be provided to One51 during the
offer period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the City
Code to comply with Rule 2.12(c).
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 OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION
Announcement For Immediate Release
2 May 2014
One51 Plastics Holdings Limited ("One51")
Recommended cash offer for
Straight plc ("Straight")
to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement
under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006
1. Introduction
1.1 The boards of One51 and Straight announce that they have
reached agreement on the terms of a recommended offer by One51 for
the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Straight. The
Offer is to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement under
Part 26 of the Companies Act.
1.2 Further information on One51 Group is set out in paragraph 6 below.
2. terms of the Offer
2.1 Under the Scheme, which will be subject to the Conditions
and certain further terms set out in Appendix 1 to this
announcement and to be set out in full in the Scheme Document,
Scheme Shareholders will be entitled to receive:
for each Straight Share 78 pence in cash
2.2 The Offer values the entire issued and to be issued share
capital of Straight at approximately GBP10.7 million and represents
a premium of approximately:
2.2.1 66.0 per cent to the Closing Price of 47.0 pence per
Straight Share on 13 February 2014 (being the last business day
prior to the date on which the Offer Period commenced);
2.2.2 82.1 per cent to the average Closing Price of 42.8 pence
per Straight Share in the one month period ended 13 February 2014
(being the last business day prior to the date on which the Offer
Period commenced);
2.2.3 100.2 per cent to the average Closing Price of
approximately 39.0 pence per Straight Share over the three month
period ended 13 February 2014 (being the last business day prior to
the date on which the Offer Period commenced); and
2.2.4 98.9 per cent to the average Closing Price of
approximately 39.2 pence per Straight Share over the six month
period ended 13 February 2014 (being the last business day prior to
the date on which the Offer Period commenced).
2.3 The Offer will extend to all Straight Shares unconditionally
allotted or issued at the date of the Scheme Document, after the
date of the Scheme Document and before the Scheme Voting Record
Time or after the Scheme Voting Record Time and before the Scheme
Record Time on terms that the original or any subsequent holders of
those Straight Shares shall be bound by the Scheme or in respect of
which their holders are, or have agreed to be, bound by the
Scheme.
2.4 Under the Scheme, the Straight Shares which are to be the
subject of the Offer will be acquired by One51 fully paid and free
from all liens, equities, mortgages, charges, encumbrances, rights
of pre-emption and other third party rights or interests of any
nature whatsoever and together with all rights now or hereafter
attaching to them, including all voting rights and the right to
receive and retain all dividends and other distributions (if any)
declared, made or paid on or after the date of this
announcement.
2.5 There are no agreements or arrangements to which One51 is a
party which relate to the circumstances in which it may or may not
seek to invoke any of the Conditions to the implementation of the
Offer.
2.6 Details of the Conditions and certain further terms of the
Offer are set out below and in Appendix 1 to this announcement.
3. Recommendation
3.1 The Board of Straight, which has been so advised by Cenkos
Securities plc, considers the terms of the Offer to be fair and
reasonable. In providing its advice to the Board of Straight,
Cenkos has taken into account the Board of Straight's commercial
assessment.
3.2 The Board of Straight unanimously recommends that all
Straight Shareholders vote in favour of the resolutions to be
proposed at the Court Meeting and the GM to approve and implement
the Offer.
4. BACKGROUND TO AND REASONS FOR THE OFFER
4.1 Having established itself as a leading player in the UK
wheeled bin market via its subsidiary which traded as MGB Plastics,
One51 wants to build upon this success by undertaking complementary
strategic acquisitions in the UK.
4.2 One51 believes that an acquisition of Straight would be a
good strategic fit in this regard. In particular, a combination of
MGB Plastics and Straight would create a leading specialist
injection moulding group in the UK.
5. BACKGROUND TO AND REASONS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE OFFER
BY THE STRAIGHT DIRECTORS
Straight plc was founded in 1993 and was admitted to trading on
AIM in 2003 in order to access growth capital and to provide the
means to incentivise its key staff. Since its admission to AIM
Straight's turnover has grown from GBP10.2m to GBP26.1m for the
year ended 2013 supported by acquisitions, organic growth and the
successful development of new products. The Directors of Straight
believe that the business will benefit substantially from being
part of a larger group that will leverage its existing customer
network as well as its product development and branding
expertise.
In making its recommendation the Board of Straight has
considered the following:
-- Straight shareholders representing in aggregate approximately
48.7 per cent. of Straight's issued share capital have already
indicated their support for the Offer;
-- the consideration payable under the Offer represents a
premium of 66.0 per cent. to the Closing Price of 47.0 pence per
Straight Share on 13 February 2014, being the last Business Day
prior to Straight announcing that it was in discussions regarding a
potential offer.
On the basis of the above, the Board of Straight unanimously
recommends that Straight Shareholders vote in favour of all of the
resolutions to be proposed at the Court Meeting and the GM to
approve and implement the Offer.
6. INFORMATION ON ONE51 AND ONE51 GROUP
6.1 Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, One51 is a wholly owned
subsidiary of One51 plc, an investment holding company with a
portfolio of industrial businesses in the UK and Ireland. One51 plc
is an unlisted publicly quoted company. One51 Group's principal
activities are as follows:
-- ClearCircle Environmental, One51 Group's environmental
services division, is a provider of recycling and waste management
services in Ireland, and has a growing UK footprint. Its operations
are focused on metals recycling, materials recycling and hazardous
waste management;
-- the plastics division incorporates a portfolio of injection
moulding businesses in Ireland and the UK, with a manufacturing
facility in China. These businesses operate in niche sectors
typified by high volumes, outsize parts, bespoke tooling and high
tonnage injection moulding machines;
-- the renewable energy division is comprised of a portfolio of
renewable energy investments providing the One51 Group, either
directly or indirectly, with exposure to wind, solar and tidal
energy development. The One51 Group's largest investment in this
sector is its 23 per cent. holding in NTR plc.
6.2 One51 Group's plastic injection moulding division is the
second largest contributor to One51 Group's turnover (approximately
32.9 per cent. in 2013) and is comprised of the following five
businesses:
-- Protech Performance Plastics (Ireland/China)
-- Thormac Engineering (Ireland)
-- AAC Plastics (UK)
-- Protech Plastics Containers UK (UK)
-- MGB Plastics (UK)
6.3 The plastic injection moulding division manufactures a range
of products including wheeled bins, paint cans, bread trays, animal
feed containers and plastic casings and serve an array of customers
operating within the electronics, packaging, medical and
infrastructure sectors. MGB Plastics operates in the same broad
market segment as Straight, with the majority of its turnover
derived from the sale of wheeled bins. It is a leading UK supplier
of wheeled bins and has established itself as a trusted and
recognised brand in the market.
7. current trading and prospects OF ONE51 GROUP
7.1 On 22 April 2014 One51 plc released its results for the
financial year ended 31 December 2013 which stated that:
-- Revenues decreased by 12.8 per cent. to EUR301.6 million
(from EUR345.9 million in the 12 months ended 31 December
2012);
-- EBIT increased by 116 per cent. to EUR10.8 million (from
EUR5.0 million in the 12 months ended 31 December 2012);
-- Profit after tax increased to EUR7.1 million (from a loss
after tax of EUR116.1 million in the 12 months ended 31 December
2012);
-- Net debt decreased by 54.6 per cent. to EUR40.3 million at 31
December 2013 (from EUR88.9 million at 31 December 2012).
7.2 At the present time, One51 Group is trading ahead of the
expectations of the directors of One51 plc, who believe that One51
Group remains well positioned for further growth, subject to wider
general economic conditions, and those specific risks and
uncertainties that One51 Group is exposed to which have been
referred to in the announcement of results for the year ended 31
December 2013.
8. FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF THE OFFER
8.1 Following completion of the Offer, the consolidated assets
and liabilities of the Enlarged Group will comprise the assets and
liabilities of One51 Group and Straight Group. The extent and
amount of any fair value adjustments is not yet known.
8.2 It is anticipated that the consolidated revenues and
earnings of the Enlarged Group will be enhanced by potential cross
selling opportunities, but these are not yet known.
9. INFORMATION ON STRAIGHT
9.1 Straight provides environmental products and services to
both the UK market and overseas. Straight is a leading UK
manufacturer and supplier of specialist kerbside recycling
containers, as well as being a key supplier of a broad range of
waste and recycling containers. Since its inception the business
has supplied more than 25 million kerbside boxes, baskets and
caddies to local authorities across the UK and overseas.
The business operates through two divisions:
-- the core trade business supplying products in bulk to local
authorities, utilities, the waste industry, retailers and other
businesses;
-- the retail business supplying a range of proprietary,
environmentally friendly consumer products directly to the public,
often in partnership with a local authority or a utility.
9.2 Almost two-thirds of the products which Straight supplies
are produced in Straight's own factory in Hull. Straight's main
market is the UK but it also has established overseas sales
channels for its products, some of which are manufactured locally
to their markets in North America and in Australia.
10. financing for the offer
10.1 The cash consideration payable under the Offer will be
financed fully out of a committed debt facility of One51 Group. The
debt facility is a dedicated new facility within the existing group
facilities of One51 Group made available by The Governor and
Company of the Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks P.L.C. and
Ulster Bank Ireland Limited. Further details will be set out in the
Scheme Document.
10.2 IBI Corporate Finance Limited, financial adviser to One51,
is satisfied that sufficient resources are available to One51 to
satisfy in full the cash consideration payable by One51 pursuant to
the terms of the Offer.
Completion of the Offer would result in a maximum cash
consideration of approximately GBP10.7 million being payable to
Straight Shareholders, assuming that all outstanding Straight Share
Options with an exercise price below the Offer Price are exercised
in full.
11. Current trading AND PROSPECTS OF STRAIGHT
On 17 April 2014, Straight announced its results for the year
ended 31 December 2013 reporting revenue of GBP26.1m, underlying
operating profit of GBP0.8m and a net loss of GBP0.04m. The
announcement included the following outlook statement "2013 has
seen a significant improvement in the trading performance of the
Group, which has maintained its market leading position. 2014 has
started well with a strong order book already in place".
12. Directors, management and employees
12.1 One51 has informed the Board of Straight that, following
the completion of the Offer, the existing employment rights, terms
and conditions of all the employees of the Straight Group will be
fully safeguarded and that its plans do not involve any material
change in the conditions of employment of the employees of the
Straight Group, nor are there any plans to change the principal
locations of the businesses of the Straight Group. One51 has
further advised the Straight Directors that the Straight Group's
pension obligations will be complied with and has informed the
Board of Straight that it has no intention to make any detrimental
changes to the benefits provided under the Straight Group's pension
schemes.
12.2 Accordingly, the Board of Straight does not believe that
One51's intentions as set out in paragraph 12.1 above would
prejudice the Straight Group's employees and have taken these
intentions into account when deciding to recommend the Offer.
12.3 The non-executive Directors of Straight have undertaken to
resign from the Board of Straight following the Offer becoming
Effective. Straight will, following such resignations, pay to such
Directors all unpaid remuneration and reimbursement of expenses
accrued due to them as at the date of resignation, together with
appropriate amounts due in lieu of notice under their existing
letters of appointment with Straight.
12.4 Jonathan Straight, currently Straight's Chief Executive
Officer, has agreed to resign as a Director and employee of
Straight following the offer becoming effective. Straight will,
following such resignation, pay to him a termination payment in
lieu of notice, of GBP330,000, comprising GBP198,000 in respect of
salary, GBP102,000 in respect of bonus and GBP30,000 in respect of
other contractual benefits. Jonathan Straight has also entered into
a consultancy agreement with Straight for a fixed term of 18
months, for a consultancy fee of GBP150,000 per year under which he
will provide consultancy services to the Enlarged Group. The
agreement may be terminated by either party on one month's notice.
Should the agreement be terminated for any reason by Straight, or
be terminated by Jonathan Straight in the event of a fundamental
breach by Straight, Straight will pay any outstanding fees for the
remainder of the term of the agreement. The agreement is
conditional upon the Offer becoming Effective and will come into
effect on the business day after the Effective Date.
12.5 The executive Directors of Straight, other than Jonathan
Straight, will continue to serve as Directors and employees of
Straight on the terms of their existing service contracts.
13. Straight Share Option Schemes
13.1 Straight will shortly write to Straight Optionholders
explaining the effects of the Scheme on them and, where
appropriate, their right to exercise their outstanding Straight
Share Options. Under the Scheme, the Offer will extend to any
Straight Shares unconditionally allotted or issued after the date
of this announcement and before the Scheme Record Time or, in the
event that the Offer is implemented by way of an offer, before the
date on which that offer ceases to be open for acceptance (or such
earlier date as One51 may, in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the offer, decide).
13.2 It is proposed to amend the articles of association of
Straight at the GM to provide that, if the Scheme becomes
Effective, any Straight Shares issued after the Scheme Record Time
will automatically (and immediately following issue) be transferred
to One51 or its nominees in exchange for the same consideration
payable by One51 in respect of Scheme Shares under the Scheme.
Consequently, participants in the Straight Share Option Schemes who
exercise any options after the Scheme Record Time will receive the
same consideration as Scheme Shareholders under the Scheme.
14. Irrevocable undertakings
14.1 One51 has received irrevocable undertakings from each of
the Directors of Straight to vote in favour of the Offer at the
Court Meeting and the GM in respect of, in aggregate, 4,710,303
Straight Shares, representing approximately 39.58 per cent of the
existing issued share capital of Straight.
14.2 All of the above undertakings remain binding even in the
event of a higher competing offer for Straight, unless the Offer
lapses or is withdrawn.
14.3 One51 has also obtained irrevocable undertakings from:
Straight Shareholder Number of Straight Percentage of
Shares Straight Shares
(%)
---------------------- ------------------- -----------------
Ruffer LLP 413,700 3.5
---------------------- ------------------- -----------------
Trustees of the
Straight Employee
Benefit Trust 400,000 3.4
---------------------- ------------------- -----------------
Investec Wealth
& Investment
Limited 276,350 2.3
---------------------- ------------------- -----------------
14.4 The above undertakings remain binding in the event of a
higher competing offer for Straight, unless the Offer lapses or is
withdrawn or unless such higher competing offer is at a price which
is more than 10 per cent. higher than the Offer Price.
14.5 One51 has therefore received irrevocable undertakings in
respect of a total of 5,800,353 Straight Shares, representing, in
aggregate, approximately 48.7 per cent. of the issued share capital
of Straight to vote in favour of the Offer at the Court Meeting and
the GM.
14.6 Apart from the irrevocable undertakings described above,
neither One51 nor any persons acting in concert with One51 for the
purposes of the Offer has any arrangement with any persons relating
to the securities of Straight, including any indemnity or option
agreement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal,
of whatever nature, relating to relevant securities which may be an
inducement to deal or refrain from dealing.
15. overseas shareholders
The availability of the Offer to persons not resident in the
United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant
jurisdiction. Such persons should inform themselves about and
observe any applicable requirements. Further details in relation to
Overseas Shareholders will be contained in the Scheme Document.
16. Implementation of Scheme
16.1 It is intended that the Offer will be effected by means of
a scheme of arrangement between Straight and the Scheme
Shareholders under Part 26 of the Companies Act. The procedure
involves an application by Straight to the Court to sanction the
Scheme and to confirm the Capital Reduction. In consideration for
the cancellation of their Straight Shares, Scheme Shareholders will
receive cash as outlined in paragraph 2 above. As part of the
Scheme Straight will be re-registered as a private limited company
and shall become a wholly-owned subsidiary of One51. Following the
Effective Date Straight Shares will be de-listed from trading on
AIM.
16.2 One51 and Straight have agreed that One51 may, if it so
determines in its absolute discretion, implement the Offer by
making an offer for the entire issued and to be issued ordinary
share capital of Straight.
16.3 The Offer will be subject to, among other things, the
Conditions and further terms set out in Appendix 1 to this
announcement and to be set out in full in the Scheme Document,
including approval of the Scheme by the Straight Shareholders by
the passing of a resolution at a meeting of the Straight
Shareholders convened by order of the Court pursuant to section 896
of the Companies Act (or at any adjournment of that meeting) to
consider and, if thought fit, approve the Scheme with or without
any modification to it. This resolution must be approved by a
majority in number of Straight Shareholders present and voting,
either in person or by proxy, at the Court Meeting, representing
not less than 75 per cent. in value of the Straight Shares held by
such Straight Shareholders. The Scheme must be sanctioned by the
Court and the associated Capital Reduction must be confirmed by the
Court, in each case at the relevant Court Hearing.
16.4 In addition, the implementation of the Scheme will require
separate approval by the passing of resolutions at the GM, inter
alia, to:
16.4.1 authorise the Board of Straight to take such action as
they consider necessary or appropriate to effect the Scheme;
16.4.2 cancel the existing Straight Shares (other than any
Straight Shares already held by One51) and approve the issue of the
New Straight Shares to One51 (and/or its nominee(s)) in accordance
with the Scheme; and
16.4.3 amend Straight's articles of association to ensure that
the Straight Shares issued under the Straight Share Option Schemes
will be subject to the Scheme or, if issued following the Scheme
Record Time, will be automatically transferred to One51 or its
nominee on the same terms as under the Scheme.
16.5 The GM will be held directly after the Court Meeting.
16.6 If the Scheme becomes Effective, it will be binding on all
Scheme Shareholders irrespective of whether or not they attend or
vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting or attend or vote
in favour of the resolutions to be proposed at the GM.
16.7 Further details of the Scheme, including the timetable for
its implementation, will be set out in the Scheme Document. The
Scheme Document will be posted as soon as practicable after the
Court grants leave to convene the Court Meeting. Resolutions to
approve the Scheme will be put to Straight Shareholders at the
Court Meeting and resolutions relating to the Scheme will be put to
Straight Shareholders at the GM. It is expected that the Court
Meeting and the GM to approve the Scheme and the Capital Reduction
will be held in June 2014. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
the Conditions, it is expected that the Scheme will become
effective in early July 2014.
16.8 In accordance with Rule 13 of the Code, it is a
pre-condition of the Offer being made that there will be no
reference of the Offer to Phase 2 Investigation, or, if there is
such a reference, a decision by the relevant authority to allow the
Offer to proceed is made on terms satisfactory to One51.
17. re-registration OF STRAIGHT AS A PRIVATE COMPANY AND
CANCELLATION OF ADMISSION TO TRADING ON AIM
17.1 As part of the Scheme, it is proposed that Straight will be
re--registered as a private limited company.
17.2 Prior to the Scheme becoming Effective, and subject to
applicable requirements of the AIM Rules and the London Stock
Exchange, Straight will apply to the London Stock Exchange for the
Straight Shares to cease to be admitted to trading on AIM, to take
effect on the Effective Date.
17.3 Subject to the Scheme becoming Effective, share
certificates in respect of Straight Shares will cease to be valid
on the Effective Date and should be destroyed. In addition, on the
Effective Date, entitlements to Straight Shares held in CREST will
be cancelled.
17.4 If the Offer is subsequently structured as an offer rather
than the Scheme, One51 intends, assuming that it receives
sufficient acceptances under the Offer to entitle it to do so, to
use the procedures set out in sections 979 to 982 (inclusive) of
the Companies Act to acquire compulsorily, on the same terms as the
Offer, any outstanding Straight Shares in respect of which the
Offer has not been accepted.
18. OFFER RELATED ARRANGEMENTS
18.1 Details of irrevocable undertakings obtained by One51 in
respect of Straight Shares are set out in paragraph 14 above.
18.2 In addition, One51 plc and Straight have entered into a
confidentiality agreement dated 24 February 2014, pursuant to which
One51 Group and Straight have undertaken, subject to certain
exceptions, to keep information disclosed by the other party
confidential and not to disclose it to third parties (other than
their respective officers, employees, agents and professional
advisers for the purpose of the Offer). The confidentiality
agreement is available for inspection as referred to in paragraph
21 below.
19. Disclosure of interests in Straight
19.1 One51 confirms that an Opening Position Disclosure was made
on 27 February 2014, setting out the details required to be
disclosed by it under Rule 8.1(a) of the City Code.
19.2 Save for the arrangements with Straight Shareholders in
relation to irrevocable undertakings summarised in paragraph 14
above, as at the close of business on 1 May 2014, being the last
business day prior to this announcement, neither One51 nor any
One51 Director nor, so far as One51 is aware, any person acting in
concert (as defined in the City Code) with One51, owns or controls
any Straight Shares or any securities convertible or exchangeable
into, or any rights to subscribe for or purchase, or any options
(including traded options) to purchase or any short positions
(whether conditional or absolute and whether in the money or
otherwise and including under a derivative), agreement to sell,
delivery obligation or right to require another person to take
delivery of or any derivatives referenced to Straight Shares, nor
does any such person have any arrangement in relation to Straight
Shares. For these purposes, "arrangement" includes any indemnity or
option arrangement, any agreement or understanding, formal or
informal, of whatever nature, relating to Straight Shares which may
be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing in such Straight
Shares
20. General
20.1 The Offer will be subject to the Conditions and certain
further terms set out in Appendix 1 and the further terms and
conditions to be set out in the Scheme Document. These documents
will be posted to Straight Shareholders and, for information only,
to Straight Optionholders, as soon as practicable and in any event
within 28 days of the date of this announcement, unless otherwise
agreed with the Panel.
20.2 The Scheme Document will include full details of the
Scheme, together with notices of the Court Meeting and the GM and
the expected timetable, and will specify the necessary action to be
taken by Straight Shareholders.
20.3 The Offer and the Scheme will be governed by English law.
21. DOCUMENTS ON WEBSITE
21.1 A copy of this announcement, the irrevocable undertakings
referred to in paragraph 14 above and the confidentiality agreement
referred to in paragraph 18 above will be available free of charge,
subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in
Restricted Jurisdictions, on One51's website at www.one51.com and
on Straight's website at www.straight.co.uk/investors by no later
than noon (London time) on the day following this announcement. For
the avoidance of doubt, neither the contents of those websites nor
the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on any such
website are incorporated into or form part of this
announcement.
21.2 Neither One51 nor Straight (nor any of their respective
directors, officers, employees, agents or advisers) make any
representation or warranty (express or implied), or give any
guarantee in this announcement as to the accuracy or completeness
of the information on the websites referred to above (nor any other
website) nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks
on any such website, nor shall they be liable for any loss or
damage of any kind, direct or indirect, that any person may suffer
as a result of using these websites or acting in reliance of the
information on such websites. Persons who access such websites
shall do so subject to the terms (if any) stated on those
websites.
22. Appendices
22.1 Appendix 1 sets out the Conditions to, and certain further terms of, the Offer.
22.2 Appendix 2 sets out the bases and sources of information
from which the financial calculations used in this announcement
have been derived.
22.3 Appendix 3 contains definitions of terms used in this announcement.
FURTHER INFORMATION
This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or a document
which is equivalent to a prospectus. Any decision in relation to
the Offer should be made only on the basis of the information
contained in the Scheme Document or any document by which the
proposals relating to the Offer are made, which will include the
full terms and conditions of the Offer, including details of how to
vote at the Court Meeting and the GM.
IBI Corporate Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated
by the Central Bank of Ireland, is acting exclusively for One51 and
no-one else in connection with the Offer and will not be
responsible to anyone other than One51 for providing the
protections afforded to clients of IBI Corporate Finance Limited
nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer, the content of
this announcement nor any matter referred to herein.
Cenkos Securities plc, which is authorised and regulated in the
United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting
exclusively for Straight and no-one else in connection with the
Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Straight for
providing the protections afforded to clients of Cenkos Securities
plc nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer, the content
of this announcement nor any matter referred to herein.
DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY CODE
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the City Code, any person who is interested
in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree
company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror
other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced
that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an
Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer
period and, if later, following the announcement in which any
securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening
Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests
and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant
securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any
securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a
person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than
3.30pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the
commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later
than 3.30pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the
announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first
identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of
the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to
the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead
make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the City Code, any person who is, or
becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant
securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange
offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any
relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities
exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the
dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions
in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of
(i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror,
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 3.30pm (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
securities exchange 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 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.
You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44
(0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are
required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing
Disclosure.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT
The One51 Directors accept responsibility for the information
contained in this announcement (other than that relating to (i)
Straight, (ii) the opinions of Straight or the Board of Straight or
(iii) the individual Directors of Straight and members of their
immediate families, related trusts or other persons connected with
them), including the statements expressed to be opinions of the
One51 Directors. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the
One51 Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that
such is the case), the information contained in this announcement
for which they accept responsibility is in accordance with the
facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of
such information.
The Board of Straight accept responsibility for the information
contained in this announcement relating to (i) Straight, (ii) the
opinions of Straight and the Board of Straight and (iii) the
individual Directors of Straight and members of their immediate
families, related trusts and other persons connected with them
(including without limitation, the recommendation of the Offer by
the Straight Directors). To the best of the knowledge and belief of
the Board of Straight (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure
that such is the case), the information contained in this
announcement for which they accept responsibility is in accordance
with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the
import of such information.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain
other information provided by Straight Shareholders, persons with
information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of
communications from Straight may be provided to One51 during the
offer period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the City
Code to comply with Rule 2.12(c).
Appendix 1
CONDITIONS AND CERTAIN FURTHER TERMS OF THE OFFER
The Offer, which will be made by One51, will comply with the
Code. The Offer will be conditional on the Scheme becoming
Effective by no later than 31 August 2014 (or such later date as
One51 and Straight may agree and the Court and the Panel may
allow). The Offer and any dispute or claim arising out of, or in
connection with, it (whether contractual or non-contractual in
nature) will be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
English law and be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of
England. The Offer will be made on the terms and conditions set out
in the Scheme Document.
Straight and One51 have agreed that, save as stated in this
Appendix 1, the necessary actions to make the Scheme Effective will
not be taken unless Conditions 1.1 to 1.3 have been fulfilled and
Conditions 1.4 to 1.10 (as amended if appropriate) have been
satisfied or waived.
1. CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
The Offer will be subject to the following conditions:
1.1 the approval of the Scheme by a majority in number,
representing not less than 75 per cent in value, of the holders of
Straight Shares who are on the register of members of Straight at
the Scheme Voting Record Time, present and voting, whether in
person or by proxy, at the Court Meeting (or at any adjournment of
it);
1.2 the resolutions required to implement the Scheme, the
Capital Reduction and reorganise Straight's share capital being
passed at the GM (or at any adjournment of it);
1.3 the sanction (with or without modification (but subject to
such modification being acceptable to One51 and Straight)) of the
Scheme and the confirmation of the Capital Reduction by the Court,
copies of the Court Orders and of the statement of capital being
delivered for registration to the Registrar of Companies;
1.4 the Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") issuing a
decision, in terms reasonably satisfactory to One51, that it is not
referring the proposed acquisition of Straight by One51 or any
matter arising from it to a Phase 2 investigation under section 33
Enterprise Act 2002 (as amended) ("Enterprise Act");
1.5 no government or governmental, quasi governmental,
supranational, statutory, administrative or regulatory body,
authority, court, trade agency, association, institution,
environmental body or any other person or body in any jurisdiction
(each a "Relevant Authority") having decided to take, instituted,
implemented or threatened any action, proceedings, suit,
investigation, enquiry or reference, or made, proposed or enacted
any statute, regulation, order or decision or taken any other steps
and there not continuing to be outstanding any statute, regulation,
order or decision, which would or might:
1.5.1 make the Offer or the acquisition of any Straight Shares,
or control of Straight by One51 void, illegal or unenforceable or
otherwise restrict, restrain, prohibit, delay or interfere with
their implementation, or impose additional conditions or
obligations with respect to them, or require material amendment
thereof or otherwise challenge or interfere with them (in any case
to an extent which is material in the context of the Offer);
1.5.2 require or prevent the divestiture by Straight or any of
its subsidiaries or subsidiary undertakings or any associated
undertaking or any company of which 20 per cent. or more of the
voting capital is held by the Straight Group or any partnership,
joint venture, firm or company in which any member of the Straight
Group may be interested (the "wider Straight Group") or by One51 or
any of its subsidiaries or subsidiary undertakings or any
associated undertaking or any company of which 20 per cent. or more
of the voting capital is held by the One51 Group or any
partnership, joint venture, firm or company in which any member of
the One51 Group may be interested (the "wider One51 Group") of all
or any material portion of their respective businesses, assets or
property or impose any material limitation on the ability of any of
them to conduct their respective businesses or own any of their
assets or property;
1.5.3 impose any material limitation on or result in a material
delay in the ability of any member of the wider Straight Group or
the wider One51 Group to acquire or to hold or to exercise
effectively any rights of ownership of shares or loans or
securities convertible into shares in any member of the wider
Straight Group or of the wider One51 Group held or owned by it or
to exercise management control over any member of the wider
Straight Group or of the wider One51 Group;
1.5.4 require any member of the wider One51 Group or the wider
Straight Group to acquire or offer to acquire any shares or other
securities in any member of the wider Straight Group; or
1.5.5 otherwise materially and adversely affect the assets,
business, profits or prospects of the wider One51 Group (taken as a
whole) or of the wider Straight Group (taken as a whole);
and all applicable waiting and other time periods during which
any such Relevant Authority could decide to take, institute,
implement or threaten any such action, proceeding, suit,
investigation, enquiry or reference having expired, lapsed or been
terminated;
1.6 all necessary notifications and filings having been made,
all applicable waiting periods (including any extensions of them)
under any applicable legislation or regulations of any jurisdiction
having expired, lapsed or been terminated, in each case in respect
of the Offer and the acquisition of any Straight Shares, or of
control of Straight, by One51, and all authorisations, orders,
recognitions, grants, consents, licences, confirmations,
clearances, permissions and approvals ("Authorisations") necessary
or appropriate in any jurisdiction for, or in respect of, the Offer
and the proposed acquisition of any Straight Shares, or of control
of Straight, by One51 and to carry on the business of any member of
the wider One51 Group or of the wider Straight Group having been
obtained, in terms and in a form satisfactory to One51, from all
appropriate Relevant Authorities and from any persons or bodies
with whom any member of the wider One51 Group or the wider Straight
Group has entered into contractual arrangements in each case the
absence of which would have a material adverse effect on the wider
Straight Group (taken as a whole), and all such Authorisations
remaining in full force and effect at the time at which the Offer
becomes unconditional in all respects and One51 having no knowledge
of an intention or proposal to revoke, suspend or modify or not to
renew any of the same and all necessary statutory or regulatory
obligations in any jurisdiction having been complied with;
1.7 except as publicly announced by Straight prior to the date
hereof (by the delivery of an announcement to a Regulatory
Information Service) or otherwise Fairly Disclosed, there being no
provision of any arrangement, agreement, licence, permit or other
instrument to which any member of the wider Straight Group is a
party or by or to which any such member or any of their assets is
or may be bound, entitled or be subject to and which, in
consequence of the Offer or the acquisition or proposed acquisition
of any Straight Shares, or control of Straight, by One51 or
otherwise, would or might, result in (in any case to an extent
which is or would be material in the context of the wider Straight
Group taken as a whole):
1.7.1 any monies borrowed by, or other indebtedness actual or
contingent of, any such member of the wider Straight Group being or
becoming repayable or being capable of being declared immediately
or prior to its or their stated maturity or the ability of any such
member to borrow monies or incur any indebtedness being inhibited
or becoming capable of being withdrawn;
1.7.2 the creation or enforcement of any mortgage, charge or
other security interest over the whole or any part of the business,
property or assets of any such member or any such security
(whenever arising or having arisen) being enforced or becoming
enforceable;
1.7.3 any such arrangement, agreement, licence or instrument
being terminated or adversely modified or any action being taken of
an adverse nature or any obligation or liability arising
thereunder;
1.7.4 any assets of any such member being disposed of or
charged, or right arising under which any such asset could be
required to be disposed of or charged, other than in the ordinary
course of business;
1.7.5 the interest or business of any such member of the wider
Straight Group in or with any firm or body or person, or any
agreements or arrangements relating to such interest or business,
being terminated or adversely modified or affected;
1.7.6 any such member ceasing to be able to carry on business
under any name under which it presently does so;
1.7.7 the creation of liabilities (actual or contingent) by any such member; or
1.7.8 the financial or trading position of any such member being
prejudiced or adversely affected
and no event having occurred which, under any provision of any
arrangement, agreement, licence or other instrument to which any
member of the wider Straight Group is a party, or to which any such
member or any of its assets may be bound, entitled or subject,
could reasonably be expected to result in any of the events or
circumstances as are referred to in paragraphs 1.7.1 to 1.7.8
(inclusive) to an extent which is material in the context of the
wider Straight Group, taken as a whole;
1.8 except as publicly announced by Straight prior to the date
hereof (by the delivery of an announcement to a Regulatory
Information Service) or otherwise Fairly Disclosed, no member of
the wider Straight Group having, since 31 December 2013:
1.8.1 issued, agreed to issue or proposed the issue of
additional shares or securities of any class, or securities
convertible into, or exchangeable for or rights, warrants or
options to subscribe for or acquire, any such shares, securities or
convertible securities (save as between Straight and wholly owned
subsidiaries of Straight and save for options granted, and for any
Straight Shares allotted upon exercise of options granted under the
Straight Share Option Schemes before the date hereof), or redeemed,
purchased or reduced any part of its share capital;
1.8.2 sold or transferred or agreed to sell or transfer any treasury shares;
1.8.3 recommended, declared, paid or made or proposed to
recommend, declare, pay or make any bonus, dividend or other
distribution other than to Straight or a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Straight;
1.8.4 agreed, authorised, proposed or announced its intention to
propose any merger or demerger or acquisition or disposal of assets
or shares (other than in the ordinary course of trading) or to any
material change in its share or loan capital;
1.8.5 issued, authorised or proposed the issue of any debentures
or incurred any indebtedness or contingent liability;
1.8.6 acquired or disposed of or transferred, mortgaged or
encumbered any asset or any right, title or interest in any asset
(other than in the ordinary course of trading);
1.8.7 entered into or varied or announced its intention to enter
into or vary any contract, arrangement or commitment (whether in
respect of capital expenditure or otherwise) which is of a long
term or unusual nature or involves or could involve an obligation
of a nature or magnitude;
1.8.8 entered into or proposed or announced its intention to
enter into any reconstruction, amalgamation, transaction or
arrangement (otherwise than in the ordinary course of
business);
1.8.9 taken any action nor having had any steps taken or legal
proceedings started or threatened against it for its winding up or
dissolution or for it to enter into any arrangement or composition
for the benefit of its creditors, or for the appointment of a
receiver, administrator, trustee or similar officer if it or any of
its assets (or any analogous proceedings or appointment in any
overseas jurisdiction);
1.8.10 been unable, or admitted in writing that it is unable, to
pay its debts 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;
1.8.11 entered into or varied or made any offer to enter into or
vary the terms of any service agreement or arrangement with any of
the directors of Straight;
1.8.12 waived, compromised or settled any claim which is
material in the context of the wider Straight Group (taken as a
whole); or
1.8.13 entered into any agreement, arrangement or commitment or
passed any resolution with respect to any of the transactions or
events referred to in this paragraph 1.8;
1.9 since 31 December 2013, except as publicly announced by
Straight prior to the date hereof (by the delivery of an
announcement to a Regulatory Information Service) or otherwise
Fairly Disclosed:
1.9.1 there having been no material adverse change in the
business, assets, financial or trading position or profits or
prospects of the wider Straight Group (taken as a whole);
1.9.2 no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or
other legal proceedings having been instituted, announced or
threatened by or against or remaining outstanding against any
member of the wider Straight Group and no enquiry or investigation
by or complaint or reference to any Relevant Authority against or
in respect of any member of the wider Straight Group having been
threatened, announced or instituted or remaining outstanding which
in any case is material in the context of the wider Straight Group
(taken as a whole); and
1.9.3 no contingent or other liability having arisen or been
incurred which might reasonably be expected materially and
adversely to affect the Straight Group (taken as a whole);
1.10 One51 not having discovered that, save as publicly
announced by Straight prior to the date hereof (by the delivery of
an announcement to a Regulatory Information Service) or otherwise
Fairly Disclosed:
1.10.1 the financial, business or other information concerning
the wider Straight Group which has been disclosed in writing at any
time by or on behalf of any member of the wider Straight Group
whether publicly (by the delivery of an announcement to a
Regulatory Information Service) or to One51 or its professional
advisers, either contains a misrepresentation of fact or omits to
state a fact necessary to make the information contained therein
not misleading;
1.10.2 any member of the wider Straight Group is subject to any
liability, contingent or otherwise, which is not disclosed in the
annual report and accounts of Straight for the financial year ended
31 December 2012;
1.10.3 any past or present member of the wider Straight Group
has not complied with all applicable legislation or regulations of
any jurisdiction or any notice or requirement of any Relevant
Authority with regard to the storage, disposal, discharge,
spillage, leak or emission of any waste or hazardous substance or
any substance likely to impair the environment or harm human health
which non-compliance would be likely to give rise to any liability
(whether actual or contingent) on the part of any member of the
wider Straight Group;
1.10.4 there is or is likely to be any obligation or liability
(whether actual or contingent) to make good, repair, reinstate or
clean up any property now or previously owned, occupied or made use
of by any past or present member of the wider Straight Group or in
which any such member may now or previously have had an interest
under any environmental legislation or regulation or notice,
circular or order of any Relevant Authority in any jurisdiction;
or
1.10.5 circumstances exist whereby a person or class of persons
would be likely to have any claim or claims in respect of any
product or process of manufacture, or materials used therein, now
or previously manufactured, sold or carried out by any past or
present member of the wider Straight Group which claim or claims
would be likely to affect adversely any member of the wider
Straight Group,
which in each case is material in the context of the wider
Straight Group (taken as a whole).
One51 reserves the right to waive, in whole or in part, all or
any of Conditions 1.4 to 1.10 (inclusive). If One51 is required by
the Panel to make an offer for Straight Shares under the provisions
of Rule 9 of the Code, One51 may make such alterations to the
Conditions, including Conditions 1.1 to 1.3 (inclusive) above, as
are necessary to comply with the provisions of that Rule.
The Offer will lapse unless the Conditions (other than
Conditions 1.1 to 1.3 (inclusive) to the Offer) are fulfilled or
(if capable of waiver) waived or, where appropriate, have been
determined by One51 in its reasonable opinion to be or to remain
satisfied by no later than the time of the Court Hearing to
sanction the Scheme, or such later date as One51 may, with the
consent of the Panel, decide. One51 shall be under no obligation to
waive or treat as satisfied any of Conditions 1.4 to 1.10 inclusive
by a date earlier than the latest date specified above for their
satisfaction notwithstanding that the other conditions of the Offer
may at such earlier date have been waived or fulfilled or satisfied
and that there are at such earlier date no circumstances indicating
that any of such conditions may not be capable of fulfilment or
satisfaction.
The Offer will lapse if it is referred to a Phase 2
investigation under section 33 Enterprise Act before the Court
Meeting. If the Offer so lapses none of the Straight Shareholders
or One51 will be bound by any term of the Scheme.
For the purposes of the Conditions, information shall have been
Fairly Disclosed if it has been disclosed: (i) in writing prior to
the date of this announcement by or on behalf of Straight to One51
or One51's financial, accounting, tax or legal advisers in
sufficient detail to enable One51 to take a reasonably informed
decision as to the impact of the information on the business,
profits, losses and/or prospects of the Straight Group; (ii) in
Straight's published annual and/or half year report and accounts
for the relevant financial period or periods referred to in the
relevant Condition; (iii) in a public announcement made in
accordance with the AIM Rules or the Disclosure and Transparency
Rules by Straight prior to the date of this announcement; or (iv)
in this announcement or the Scheme Document.
One51 reserves the right to elect (with the consent of the
Panel) to implement the Offer by way of a takeover offer (as
defined in Part 28 of the Companies Act). In such event, the Offer
will be implemented on the same terms, so far as applicable, as
those which would apply to the Scheme, subject to appropriate
amendments, including (without limitation and subject to the
consent of the Panel) an acceptance condition that is set at 90 per
cent, (or such lesser percentage, as One51 may decide) (i) in
nominal value of the shares to which such offer relates; and (ii)
of the voting rights attached to those shares, and that is subject
to One51 and/ or (with the consent of the Panel) any members of the
One51 Group having acquired or agreed to acquire, whether pursuant
to the offer or otherwise, shares carrying more than 50 per cent.
of the voting rights normally exercisable at a general meeting of
Straight, including, for this purpose, any such voting rights
attaching to Straight Shares that are unconditionally allotted or
issued before the takeover offer becomes or is declared
unconditional as to acceptances, whether pursuant to the exercise
of any outstanding subscription or conversion rights or
otherwise.
The availability of the Offer to persons not resident in the
United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant
jurisdictions. Persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom
should inform themselves about and observe any applicable
requirements.
Under Rule 13.5 of the City Code, One51 may only invoke a
Condition so as to cause the Offer not to proceed, to lapse or to
be withdrawn if the circumstances which give rise to the right to
invoke the Condition are of material significance to One51 in the
context of the Offer. The Conditions in paragraphs 1.1 to 1.4
(inclusive) are not subject to this provision of the City Code.
2. FURTHER TERMS OF THE OFFER
2.1 The Offer will extend to (i) all Straight Shares
unconditionally allotted or issued at the date of the Scheme
Document, (ii) any further Straight Shares unconditionally allotted
or issued after the date of the Scheme Document and before the
Scheme Voting Record Time and (iii) any further Straight Shares
unconditionally allotted or issued after the Scheme Voting Record
Time and before the Scheme Record Time on terms that the original
or any subsequent holders of those Straight Shares shall be bound
by the Scheme or in respect of which their holders are, or have
agreed to be, bound by the Scheme, other than (in all cases) the
Excluded Shares.
2.2 The Straight Shares are to be acquired by One51 fully paid
and free from all liens, charges and encumbrances, rights of pre
emption and any other third party rights of any nature whatsoever
and together with all rights attaching to them, including the right
to all dividends or other distributions declared, paid or made
after the date of this announcement. If a dividend and/or a
distribution and/or a return of capital is proposed, declared,
made, paid or becomes payable by Straight in respect of a Straight
Share on or after the date of this announcement and prior to the
Offer becoming Effective, One51 reserves the right to reduce the
value of the consideration payable for each Straight Share under
the Offer in respect of any Straight Share by up to the amount of
the dividend and/or distribution and/or return of capital except
where the Straight Share is or will be transferred pursuant to the
Offer on a basis which entitles One51 to receive the dividend
and/or distribution and/or return of capital and to retain it.
2.3 The Offer will be governed by English law and is subject to
the jurisdiction of the courts of England. In addition, the Offer
will be subject to the terms and conditions as set out in the
Scheme Document. The Offer will comply with, and be subject to, the
applicable rules and regulations of the Financial Conduct Authority
in the United Kingdom, the London Stock Exchange, the AIM Rules and
the City Code.
APPENDIX 2
FURTHER INFORMATION AND BASES AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION
1. Unless otherwise stated, the financial information regarding
Straight contained in this announcement has been extracted from
Straight's final results for the year ended 31 December 2013 as
announced on 17 April 2014.
2. The value attributed to the existing issued share capital of
Straight is based upon the 11,899,294 Straight Shares in issue on 1
May 2014 (being the last business day prior to this
announcement).
3. The premia implied by the Offer Price of 78 pence per
Straight Share have been calculated based on data provided by
Bloomberg.
4. The International Securities Identification Number for
Straight Shares is GB0033695486.
5. The maximum cash consideration due pursuant to the Offer is
based upon the 11,899,294 Straight Shares in issue as at 1 May 2014
(being the last business day prior to this announcement) and the
1,761,362 Straight Shares which may be issued under the Straight
Share Option Schemes where the exercise monies payable by Straight
Optionholders in respect of such exercise is less than the Offer
Price.
APPENDIX 3
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply throughout this announcement
unless the context requires otherwise:
AIM
the market of that name operated by the London Stock
Exchange;
AIM Rules
the AIM Rules for Companies as published by the London Stock
Exchange from time to time;
associated undertaking
is to be construed in accordance with section 344(3) of the
Companies Act;
Board of Straight
the board of directors of Straight;
business day
a day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and UK public holidays) on
which banks are generally open for business in the City of
London;
Capital Reduction
the proposed reduction of the share capital of Straight pursuant
to the Scheme;
Cenkos or Cenkos Securities plc
Cenkos Securities plc, financial adviser to Straight;
City Code
the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers;
Closing Price
the closing middle market quotation of a Straight Share as
derived from the AIM appendix to the Daily Official List on any
particular day;
Companies Act
the Companies Act 2006;
Conditions
the conditions to the Offer which are set out in Appendix 1 to
this announcement and which will be set out in the Scheme
Document;
Court
the High Court of Justice in England;
Court Hearings
the two separate hearings by the Court of the petition to
sanction the Scheme and to confirm the Capital Reduction;
Court Meeting
the meeting of the Straight Shareholders to be convened by order
of the Court under section 896 of the Companies Act to consider
and, if thought fit, approve the Scheme (with or without amendment)
and any adjournment of it;
Court Orders
the First Court Order and the Second Court Order;
Daily Official List
the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange;
Directors of Straight
the directors of Straight, namely James Henry Newman, Jonathan
Michael Straight, James David Mellor, Mark Jeremy Halford and Colin
Glass;
Effective
in the context of the Offer:
(a) if the Offer is implemented by way of the Scheme, the Scheme
having become effective pursuant to its terms; or
(b) if the Offer is implemented by way of an offer, such offer
having been declared or become unconditional in all respects in
accordance with the requirements of the City Code;
Effective Date
the date on which the Offer becomes Effective;
Enlarged Group
the One51 Group and the Straight Group;
Excluded Shares
any Straight Shares which are registered in the name of, or are
beneficially owned by, One51 or which One51 acquires or becomes
beneficially interested in from time to time;
First Court Order
the order of the Court sanctioning the Scheme under section 899
of the Companies Act;
GM
the general meeting of Straight Shareholders (and any
adjournment of it) convened for the purposes of considering and, if
thought fit, approving certain resolutions in connection with the
Scheme and the Capital Reduction, notice of which will be included
in the Scheme Document;
holder
in relation to shares or other securities, a registered holder,
including any person entitled by transmission;
IBI
IBI Corporate Finance Limited, financial adviser to One51;
London Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange plc;
Meetings
the Court Meeting and the GM;
New Straight Shares
the new ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the capital of
Straight to be issued, credited as fully paid, to One51 pursuant to
the Scheme;
Offer
the offer, details of which are set out in this
announcement;
Offer Period
the period commencing on 14 February 2014 and ending on the
Effective Date, or such other date as the Panel may decide;
Offer Price
78 pence per Straight Share
One51
One51 Plastics Holdings Limited, a company registered in Ireland
with registered number 542775;
One51 Directors
the Directors of One51, being Alan Walsh and Pat Dalton;
One51 Group
One51 plc and its subsidiaries from time to time;
One51plc
One Fifty One plc;
overseas person
any person who is not resident in the United Kingdom, or who is
a citizen, resident or national of a jurisdiction outside the
United Kingdom or who is a nominee of, or custodian or trustee for,
any citizen(s), resident(s) or national(s) of any other
country;
Overseas Shareholder
a Straight Shareholder who is an overseas person, including any
US Person who holds any Straight Shares;
Panel
the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers;
Registrar of Companies
the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales;
Regulatory Information Service
has the meaning given to that expression in the AIM Rules;
Scheme
the proposed scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the
Companies Act between Straight and the Scheme Shareholders to
implement the Offer;
Scheme Document
the document to be dispatched to Straight Shareholders in
relation to the Scheme including the statement required by section
897 of the Companies Act;
Scheme Record Time
6.00 p.m. on the business day immediately preceding the date on
which the Second Court Order is made;
Scheme Shareholders
holders of Scheme Shares;
Scheme Shares
all Straight Shares which are:
(a) unconditionally allotted or issued at the date of the Scheme Document;
(b) unconditionally allotted or issued after the date of the
Scheme Document and before the Scheme Voting Record Time; or
(c ) unconditionally allotted or issued at or after the Scheme
Voting Record Time and before the Scheme Record Time on terms that
the original or any subsequent holders of those Straight Shares
shall be bound by the Scheme or in respect of which their holders
are, or have agreed to be, bound by the Scheme,
in each case, other than the Excluded Shares;
Scheme Voting Record Time
6.00 pm on the day which is two days before the Court Meeting
or, if the Court Meeting is adjourned, 6.00 pm on the second day
before the date of such adjourned meeting;
Second Court Order
the order of the Court confirming the Capital Reduction under
the Companies Act;
Straight
Straight plc, a public limited company incorporated in England
and Wales with registered number 2923140;
Straight Group
Straight and its subsidiary undertakings;
Straight Option holders
holders of Straight Share Options;
Straight Shareholders
holders of Straight Shares;
Straight Share Options
options to subscribe for Straight Shares granted or awarded
pursuant to the Straight Share Option Schemes;
Straight Share Option Schemes
the Straight plc Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme, the
Straight plc Executive Share Option Scheme and the Straight plc
Long Term Incentive Plan 2010;
Straight Shares
ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the capital of Straight;
subsidiary, subsidiary undertaking and undertaking
are to be construed in accordance with the Companies Act;
substantial interest
in relation to an undertaking, an interest, direct or indirect,
in 20 per cent. or more of the voting rights exercisable in
relation to the undertaking or in the capital or of any class of
capital of such undertaking;
United Kingdom or UK
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
United States or USA
the United States of America, its territories and possessions,
any state of the United States of America and the District of
Columbia;
US Person
a US Person as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities
Act;
US Securities Act
the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated under it.
All references to legislation in this announcement are to
English legislation unless the contrary is indicated. Any reference
to any provision of any legislation shall include any amendment,
modification, extension or re-enactment of that provision.
All references to a scheme of arrangement are to a scheme of
arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006.
Unless otherwise stated, all references to time in this
announcement are to London time. Words in this announcement
importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.
References to the singular include the plural.
GBP and pence means pounds and pence sterling, the lawful
currency of the United Kingdom.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
OUPUGUAWAUPCGGQ
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