TIDMPTSG

RNS Number : 2654H

Premier Technical Services Grp PLC

31 July 2019

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO.596/2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

31 July 2019

RECOMMED CASH ACQUISITION

OF

PREMIER TECHNICAL SERVICES GROUP PLC ("PTSG")

BY

BERNARD BIDCO LIMITED ("BIDCO")

a newly-incorporated company established on behalf of Macquarie Principal Finance Pty Limited, UK branch and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Macquarie Group Limited

SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE AND BOARD CHANGES

The Independent Directors of PTSG and the board of Bidco are pleased to announce that, further to the announcement dated 30 July 2019 that the Court had sanctioned the Scheme, the Court Order has today been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and, accordingly, the recommended Acquisition of PTSG by Bidco has now become effective in accordance with its terms.

Full details of the Acquisition are set out in the Scheme Document published on 28 June 2019. Capitalised terms used but not otherwise defined in this announcement have the meaning given to them in the Scheme Document.

Trading in PTSG Shares on AIM was suspended with effect from 7.30 a.m. (London time) today. Following the application by PTSG to the London Stock Exchange, the cancellation of admission to trading of PTSG Shares on AIM is expected to be effective as of 7.00 a.m. (London time) on 1 August 2019.

Scheme Shareholders on the register of PTSG at the Scheme Record Time, being 8.00 p.m. (London time) on 30 July 2019, are entitled to receive 210.1 pence in cash for every Scheme Share held. Cheques will be dispatched to Scheme Shareholders holding Scheme Shares in certificated form and the CREST accounts of Scheme Shareholders holding Scheme Shares in uncertificated form will be credited by the creation of an assured payment obligation, in each case by no later than 14 August 2019.

As the Scheme has now become effective, PTSG announces that the non-executive directors of PTSG, Michael Higgins and Alan Howarth, have tendered their resignations and will step down from the board of directors of PTSG effective from today's date.

PTSG is no longer in an "Offer Period" as defined in the Code and accordingly the dealing disclosure requirements previously notified to investors no longer apply.

Enquiries:

Bidco/Macquarie Group Tel: + 44 (0) 20 3037 2000

Victoria Webb

   Rothschild & Co (Financial adviser to Bidco)                           Tel: + 44 (0) 207 280 5000 

Stuart Vincent

Robert Dunnett

Alistair Allen

   Premier Technical Services Group plc                                     Tel: + 44 (0) 1977 668 771 

Paul Teasdale, Chief Executive Officer

   KPMG LLP (Lead financial adviser to PTSG)                            Tel: + 44 (0) 207 311 1000 

Manuel Sammut

Helen Roxburgh

Giles Taylor

   Numis Securities Limited (Financial adviser,                           Tel: + 44 (0) 207 260 1000 

nominated adviser and broker to PTSG)

Stuart Skinner

Kevin Cruickshank

Michael Burke

   Hudson Sandler (Public relations adviser to PTSG)                 Tel: + 44 (0) 207 796 4133 

Charlie Jack

Important notices

Rothschild & Co, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting exclusively as financial adviser to Bidco and no one else in connection with the Acquisition or any matters referred to in in this announcement In connection with such matters, Rothschild & Co, its affiliates and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to anyone other than Bidco for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for providing advice in relation to the Acquisition, the contents of this announcement or any other matter referred to in this announcement or owe or accept any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise to any person other than Bidco in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement, or otherwise.

KPMG, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting exclusively as lead financial adviser to PTSG and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition or any matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than PTSG for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the Acquisition, the contents of this announcement or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Neither KPMG nor any of its affiliates, respective directors, officers, employees and agents owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of KPMG in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement, or otherwise.

Numis Securities Limited ("Numis"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as financial adviser, nominated adviser and broker exclusively for PTSG and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than PTSG for providing the protections afforded to clients of Numis, nor for providing advice in relation to any matter referred to herein.

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer to sell or an invitation to purchase any securities or a solicitation of an offer to buy, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any purchase, sale, issuance or exchange of securities or such solicitation in any jurisdiction in which such offer, invitation, solicitation, purchase, sale, issuance or exchange is unlawful.

This announcement has been prepared in connection with proposals in relation to a scheme of arrangement pursuant to and for the purpose of complying with English law, the Takeover Code and the AIM Rules and information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom. Nothing in this announcement should be relied on for any other purpose.

The statements contained in this announcement are made as at the date of this announcement, unless some other time is specified in relation to them, and the release of this announcement shall not give rise to any implication that there has been no change in the facts set out in this announcement since such date.

Overseas jurisdictions

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by the laws and/or regulations of those jurisdictions and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes who are subject to the laws and/or regulations of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom should inform themselves about and observe any such applicable restrictions in their jurisdiction. Further details in relation to the Overseas Shareholders are contained in the Scheme Document. Any failure to comply with any such restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person.

Unless otherwise determined by Bidco or required by the Takeover Code, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Acquisition will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction and no person may vote in favour of the Scheme by any such means from within a Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction if to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and all documents relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction, and persons receiving this announcement and all documents relating to the Acquisition (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise distribute or send them in, into or from such jurisdictions where to do so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction. If the Acquisition is implemented by Takeover Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law or regulation), the Takeover Offer may not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into or by use of the mails or any other means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile, email or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national state or other securities exchange of any Restricted Jurisdiction) and the Takeover Offer will not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means instrumentality or facilities or from or within any Restricted Jurisdiction.

The availability of the Acquisition to PTSG Shareholders who are not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are resident. Persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable requirements.

Additional information for US investors

PTSG Shareholders in the United States should note that the Acquisition relates to the securities of a company incorporated in England and is proposed to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement under the laws of England and Wales. This announcement, the Scheme Document and certain other documents relating to the Acquisition have been prepared in accordance with English law, the Takeover Code and UK disclosure requirements, format and style, all of which differ from those in the United States. 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 Acquisition is subject to the disclosure requirements of 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. If, in the future, Bidco exercises the right to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer and determines to extend the offer into the United States, the Acquisition will be made in compliance with applicable United States laws and regulations, including any applicable exemptions under the US Exchange Act.

PTSG's financial statements, and all financial information that is included in this announcement or in the Scheme Document, or any other documents relating to the Acquisition, have been or will be prepared in accordance with IFRS and may not be comparable to financial statements of companies in the United States or other companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles.

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Acquisition by a US holder as consideration for the transfer of its PTSG Shares pursuant to the Scheme will likely be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes and under applicable United States state and local, as well as foreign and other, tax laws. Each PTSG Shareholder is urged to consult his independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of the Acquisition applicable to him.

It may be difficult for US holders to enforce their rights and claims arising out of US federal securities laws, since Bidco and PTSG are located in countries other than the US, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of countries other than the US. US holders may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgement.

In accordance with normal practice in the UK and consistent with Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, Bidco, certain affiliated companies and their nominees or brokers (acting as agents) may make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, shares in PTSG outside the US, other than pursuant to the Acquisition, until the date on which the Acquisition and/or Scheme becomes Effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn. If such purchases or arrangements to purchase were to be made they would occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices and comply with applicable law, including the US Exchange Act. Any information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase will be disclosed as required in the United Kingdom, will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com.

Forward-looking statements

This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Bidco, Macquarie Group or PTSG contain statements about Bidco, Macquarie Group and/or PTSG that are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement may be forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words "targets", "plans", "believes", "expects", "aims", "intends", "will", "may", "anticipates", "estimates", "hopes" "projects", "continue", "schedule" or words or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to the following: (i) future capital expenditures, expenses, revenues, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, dividend policy, losses and future prospects; (ii) business and management strategies and the expansion and growth of Bidco's, Macquarie Group's or PTSG's operations and potential synergies resulting from the Acquisition; and (iii) the effects of government regulation on Bidco's, Macquarie Group's or PTSG's business.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. By their nature, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond the entities' ability to control or estimate precisely. These factors include, but are not limited to, the satisfaction of the conditions to the Acquisition, as well as additional factors, such as changes in political and economic conditions, changes in the level of capital investment, retention of key employees, changes in customer habits, success of business and operating initiatives and restructuring objectives, impact of any acquisitions or similar transactions, changes in customers' strategies and stability, competitive product and pricing measures, changes in the regulatory environment, fluctuations of interest and exchange rates, the outcome of any litigation. For a discussion of important factors which could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements in relation to the PTSG Group, refer to the annual report for PTSG for the financial year ended 31 December 2018. Neither Bidco, Macquarie Group or PTSG, nor any of their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement will actually occur. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Bidco, Macquarie Group or PTSG or any of their respective members, directors, officers or employees or any persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. Bidco, Macquarie Group and PTSG disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements contained in this announcement, except as required by applicable law.

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 share for PTSG for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share for PTSG.

Publication of this announcement 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 PTSG's website at www.ptsg.co.uk/offer-for-ptsg/ and on Bidco's website at www.macquarie.com/uk/about/investors/graphite by no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Business Day following this announcement.

For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of these websites and any websites accessible from hyperlinks on this website are not incorporated into and do not form part of this announcement.

Rounding

Certain figures included in this announcement have been subjected to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for the same category presented in different tables may vary slightly and figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

FURMMGFNVGLGLZM

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 31, 2019 02:45 ET (06:45 GMT)

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