HOLI Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 8)*

 

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.

(Name of Issuer)

 

Ordinary Shares, par value $0.001 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

G45667105

(CUSIP Number)

 

Mengyun Tang
c/o Advanced Technology (Cayman)
Limited
Suite 3501, 35/F, Jardine House
1 Connaught Place, Central
Hong Kong, China
+852-2165-9000

 

With Copies To:

 

Marcia Ellis Rongjing Zhao Morrison & Foerster LLP Edinburgh Tower, 33/F The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central Hong Kong, China +852-2585-0888

Spencer Klein Mitchell Presser John Owen Morrison & Foerster LLP 250 West 55th Street New York, NY 10019-9601 +1-212-468-8000

 

July 18, 2024

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. ¨

 

*	The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 

CUSIP No. G45667105

1			Name of Reporting Persons Liang Meng
2			Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3			SEC Use Only
4			Source of Funds AF
5			Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Item 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6			Citizenship or Place of Organization Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of People’s Republic of China
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With					7		Sole Voting Power 0
					8		Shared Voting Power 8,491,875
					9		Sole Dispositive Power 0
					10		Shared Dispositive Power 8,491,875
11			Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 8,491,875
12			Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares ¨
13			Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 13.7%*
14			Type of Reporting Person IN
*	Based on 62,095,839 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 28, 2023, as provided in the Issuer’s Proxy Statement filed as an exhibit to the Issuer’s Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 5, 2024.

 

 

CUSIP No. G45667105

1			Name of Reporting Persons Ascendent Capital Partners III GP Limited
2			Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3			SEC Use Only
4			Source of Funds AF
5			Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Item 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6			Citizenship or Place of Organization Cayman Islands
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With					7		Sole Voting Power 0
					8		Shared Voting Power 8,491,875
					9		Sole Dispositive Power 0
					10		Shared Dispositive Power 8,491,875
11			Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 8,491,875
12			Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares ¨
13			Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 13.7%*
14			Type of Reporting Person CO
*	Based on 62,095,839 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 28, 2023, as provided in the Issuer’s Proxy Statement filed as an exhibit to the Issuer’s Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 5, 2024.

 

 

CUSIP No. G45667105

1			Name of Reporting Persons Ascendent Capital Partners III GP, L.P.
2			Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3			SEC Use Only
4			Source of Funds AF
5			Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Item 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6			Citizenship or Place of Organization Cayman Islands
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With					7		Sole Voting Power 0
					8		Shared Voting Power 8,491,875
					9		Sole Dispositive Power 0
					10		Shared Dispositive Power 8,491,875
11			Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 8,491,875
12			Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares ¨
13			Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 13.7%*
14			Type of Reporting Person PN
*	Based on 62,095,839 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 28, 2023, as provided in the Issuer’s Proxy Statement filed as an exhibit to the Issuer’s Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 5, 2024.

 

 

CUSIP No. G45667105

1			Name of Reporting Persons Ascendent Capital Partners III, L.P.
2			Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3			SEC Use Only
4			Source of Funds AF
5			Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Item 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6			Citizenship or Place of Organization Cayman Islands
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With					7		Sole Voting Power 0
					8		Shared Voting Power 8,491,875
					9		Sole Dispositive Power 0
					10		Shared Dispositive Power 8,491,875
11			Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 8,491,875
12			Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares ¨
13			Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 13.7%*
14			Type of Reporting Person PN
*	Based on 62,095,839 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 28, 2023, as provided in the Issuer’s Proxy Statement filed as an exhibit to the Issuer’s Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 5, 2024.

 

 

CUSIP No. G45667105

1			Name of Reporting Persons Skyline Automation Technologies L.P.
2			Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3			SEC Use Only
4			Source of Funds AF
5			Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Item 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6			Citizenship or Place of Organization British Virgin Islands
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With					7		Sole Voting Power 0
					8		Shared Voting Power 8,491,875
					9		Sole Dispositive Power 0
					10		Shared Dispositive Power 8,491,875
11			Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 8,491,875
12			Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares ¨
13			Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 13.7%*
14			Type of Reporting Person PN
*	Based on 62,095,839 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 28, 2023, as provided in the Issuer’s Proxy Statement filed as an exhibit to the Issuer’s Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 5, 2024.

 

 

CUSIP No. G45667105

1			Name of Reporting Persons Advanced Technology (Cayman) Limited
2			Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3			SEC Use Only
4			Source of Funds WC
5			Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Item 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6			Citizenship or Place of Organization Cayman Islands
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With					7		Sole Voting Power 0
					8		Shared Voting Power 8,491,875
					9		Sole Dispositive Power 0
					10		Shared Dispositive Power 8,491,875
11			Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 8,491,875
12			Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares ¨
13			Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 13.7%*
14			Type of Reporting Person CO
*	Based on 62,095,839 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of December 28, 2023, as provided in the Issuer’s Proxy Statement filed as an exhibit to the Issuer’s Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 5, 2024.

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This Amendment No. 8 (this “Schedule 13D Amendment”) to the Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 6, 2023 (the “Original Schedule 13D” and, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed with the SEC on November 24, 2023, Amendment No. 2 filed with the SEC on December 13, 2023 (“Amendment No. 2”), Amendment No. 3 filed with the SEC on January 2, 2024, Amendment No. 4 filed with the SEC on February 5, 2024, Amendment No. 5 filed with the SEC on February 9, 2024, Amendment No. 6 filed with the SEC on July 1, 2024, Amendment No. 7 filed with the SEC on July 12, 2024 and this Schedule 13D Amendment, the “Schedule 13D”) is being filed by Mr. Liang Meng, Ascendent Capital Partners III GP Limited (“GPGP”), Ascendent Capital Partners III GP, L.P. (“GPLP”), Ascendent Capital Partners III, L.P. (“ACP III”), Skyline Automation Technologies L.P. (“Superior Fund”) and Advanced Technology (Cayman) Limited (“Advanced Technology” and, together with Mr. Meng, GPGP, GPLP, ACP III and Superior Fund, the “Reporting Persons”), with respect to Ordinary Shares, $0.001 par value per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), of Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Issuer”).

 

The Reporting Persons are filing this Schedule 13D Amendment to disclose a press release of the Issuer related to the expected timing of the closing of the Merger (as defined in Amendment No. 2).

 

Other than as set forth below, all Items in the Original Schedule 13D are materially unchanged. Capitalized terms used in this Schedule 13D Amendment which are not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Original Schedule 13D.

 

Item 4.

Purpose of Transaction.

 

Item 4 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented to include the following:

 

On July 18, 2024, the Issuer issued a press release providing an update on the expected timing of the closing of the Merger.

 

The foregoing description of the press release is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.16, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.

Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

 

Item 7 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented to include the following:

 

Exhibit Number		Description
99.16		Issuer’s Press Release, dated July 18, 2024

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Dated: July 19, 2024

 

	Liang Meng
	/s/ Liang Meng
	Ascendent Capital Partners III GP Limited
	By:	/s/ Liang Meng
	Name:	Liang Meng
	Title:	Director
	Ascendent Capital Partners III GP, L.P.
	By: Ascendent Capital Partners III GP Limited, its General Partner
	By:	/s/ Liang Meng
	Name:	Liang Meng
	Title:	Director
	Ascendent Capital Partners III, L.P.
	By: Ascendent Capital Partners III GP, L.P., its General Partner
	By: Ascendent Capital Partners III GP Limited, its General Partner
	By:	/s/ Liang Meng
	Name:	Liang Meng
	Title:	Director
	Skyline Automation Technologies L.P.
	By: Ascendent Capital Partners III GP, L.P., its General Partner
	By: Ascendent Capital Partners III GP Limited, its General Partner
	By:	/s/ Liang Meng
	Name:	Liang Meng
	Title:	Director
	Advanced Technology (Cayman) Limited
	By:	/s/ Liang Meng
	Name:	Liang Meng
	Title:	Director

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.16

 

Hollysys Announces Expected Completion Date of Merger Transaction with Ascendent Capital Partners

 

Jul 18, 2024

 

BEIJING, July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: HOLI) ("Hollysys" or the "Company") today announced that it expects to complete its merger transaction with a buyer controlled by Ascendent Capital Partners as soon as July 25, 2024.

 

The parties have successfully obtained all necessary approvals and expect to satisfy (or obtain waiver of) all closing conditions by this anticipated closing date. The Company has notified Nasdaq of its intention to delist its shares from the NASDAQ Global Select Market on that date or shortly thereafter.

 

About Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.

 

Hollysys is a leading automation control system solutions provider in China, with overseas operations in eight other countries and regions throughout Asia. Leveraging its proprietary technology and deep industry know-how, Hollysys empowers its customers with enhanced operational safety, reliability, efficiency, and intelligence which are critical to their businesses. Hollysys derives its revenues mainly from providing integrated solutions for industrial automation and rail transportation. In industrial automation, Hollysys delivers the full spectrum of automation hardware, software, and services spanning field devices, control systems, enterprise manufacturing management and cloud-based applications. In rail transportation, Hollysys provides advanced signaling control and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems for high-speed rail and urban rail (including subways). Founded in 1993, with technical expertise and innovation, Hollysys has grown from a research team specializing in automation control in the power industry into a group providing integrated automation control system solutions for customers in diverse industry verticals. As of June 30, 2023, Hollysys had cumulatively carried out more than 45,000 projects for approximately 23,000 customers in various sectors including power, petrochemical, high-speed rail, and urban rail, in which Hollysys has established leading market positions.

 

About Ascendent Capital Partners

 

Ascendent Capital Partners, headquartered in Hong Kong, is a private equity investment management firm managing assets for global institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds, endowments, pensions and foundations.

 

Ascendent has successfully led and executed a large number of innovative and ground-breaking private equity investments, generating strong risk-adjusted returns for investors and business growth for our portfolio companies. Ascendent has established a consistent track record in providing advice and solution capital to entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams, building long-lasting relationships through in-depth collaboration. For additional information about Ascendent, please visit Ascendent's website at www.ascendentcp.com.

 

Safe Harbor Statements

 

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are "forward-looking statements," including statements regarding the ability of the Company to achieve its commercial objectives; the business strategy, plans and objectives of the Company; growth in financial and operational performance of the Company; and any other statements of non-historical information. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "confident," or similar expressions involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements, based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Hollysys' management, are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website (http://www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

 

 

Contact Information

 

Company Contact:
Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.

www.hollysys.com

+8610-5898-1386

investors@hollysys.com

 

Media Contacts (Hong Kong and New York):
Brunswick Group

hollysys@brunswickgroup.com

 

Daniel Del Re (Hong Kong)

ddelre@brunswickgroup.com

+852 9255 5136

 

Libby Lloyd (New York)

llloyd@brunswickgroup.com

+1 347 283 3871

 

SOURCE Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd

 

 

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