TIDMGOI
RNS Number : 9755C
GoIndustry-DoveBid PLC
09 May 2012
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
9 May 2012
RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION
by
Liquidity Services Limited ("Liquidity Services UK")
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liquidity Services, Inc.)
of
GoIndustry-DoveBid plc ("GoIndustry")
(to be implemented by way of a Scheme of Arrangement
under Part 26 of the Companies Act)
Summary
-- The GoIndustry Board and the Liquidity Services Board are
pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms
of a recommended cash acquisition to be made by Liquidity Services
UK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liquidity Services, Inc.
("Liquidity Services"), of the entire issued and to be issued share
capital of GoIndustry (the "Acquisition"). It is intended that the
Acquisition will be effected by way of a scheme of arrangement made
between GoIndustry and Scheme Shareholders under Part 26 of the
Companies Act.
-- The GoIndustry Board intend unanimously to recommend the
Acquisition to GoIndustry Shareholders.
-- Under the terms of the Acquisition, Scheme Shareholders will
be entitled to receive 73 pence in cash for each GoIndustry Share
held at the Scheme Record Time, valuing the entire issued and to be
issued share capital of GoIndustry at approximately GBP7.30
million.
-- The consideration of 73 pence for each GoIndustry Share represents:-
- a premium of approximately 54 per cent. to the Closing Price
of 47.5 pence per GoIndustry Share on 30 April 2012, being the last
Business Day prior to the commencement of the Offer Period; and
- a premium of approximately 12 per cent. to the Closing Price
of 65 pence per GoIndustry Share on 8 May 2012, being the last
Business Day prior to the date of this announcement.
-- The consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition
will be funded from Liquidity Services' existing cash
resources.
-- It is intended that the Acquisition will be effected by way
of a scheme of arrangement made between GoIndustry and Scheme
Shareholders under Part 26 of the Companies Act. The Scheme will
require the approval of the Scheme Shareholders and the sanction of
the Court. Upon the Scheme becoming effective, it will be binding
on all Scheme Shareholders, irrespective of whether they attend or
vote at the Court Meeting or the General Meeting (and, if they
attended and voted, whether or not they voted in favour).
-- Liquidity Services is a public corporation incorporated under
the laws of Delaware in the United States of America and shares in
Liquidity Services are listed on NASDAQ. Liquidity Services
provides corporations, public sector agencies and buying customers
with online marketplaces and integrated services for the sale of
surplus assets. On behalf of its clients, Liquidity Services has
completed the sale of over US$2.6 billion of surplus, returned and
end-of-life assets, in over 500 product categories, including
consumer goods, capital assets and industrial equipment. Liquidity
Services is based in Washington, D.C. and has approximately 700
employees.
-- The GoIndustry Group has made strong strategic progress on a
number of fronts. However, it has yet to see tangible results of
this progress in terms of realising consistent profitability and
increasing the market value of GoIndustry. After considering the
opportunities that lie ahead and the resources available to realise
such opportunities, the GoIndustry Board believes that combining
the GoIndustry Group's business with the Liquidity Services Group
is in the bests interests of GoIndustry Shareholders.
-- The Acquisition will allow Scheme Shareholders to realise a
cash premium of 25.5 pence to the GoIndustry share price based on
the Closing Price of 47.5 pence per GoIndustry Share on 30 April
2012, being the last Business Day prior to the commencement of the
Offer Period. The Liquidity Services Board believes that, as part
of the Liquidity Services Group, the Acquisition will enable
GoIndustry to better capitalise on opportunities in the market.
-- The GoIndustry Directors, who have been so advised by WH
Ireland, consider the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and
reasonable. In providing advice to the GoIndustry Directors, WH
Ireland has taken into account the commercial assessments of the
GoIndustry Directors. Accordingly, the GoIndustry Directors intend
unanimously to recommend eligible GoIndustry Shareholders to vote
in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Special
Resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting, as those
GoIndustry Directors who hold GoIndustry Shares and the trustee of
a trust of which one of the GoIndustry Directors is the sole
beneficiary have undertaken so to do in respect of their own
beneficial holdings amounting, in aggregate, to 141,678GoIndustry
Shares (representing, approximately 1.45 per cent. of the
GoIndustry Shares currently in issue).
-- Liquidity Services and Liquidity Services UK have also
received irrevocable undertakings from certain other GoIndustry
Shareholders to vote in favour of the Scheme and the Scheme
Resolutions (or, in the event that Liquidity Services UK elects to
proceed by means of a Takeover Offer, to accept or procure
acceptance of the Takeover Offer), in respect of 5,524,359
GoIndustry Shares, representing in aggregate approximately 56.38
per cent. of the GoIndustry Shares currently in issue.
-- The Scheme Document, containing further information about the
Acquisition and notices of the Court Meeting and General Meeting
together with the Forms of Proxy, will be posted to GoIndustry
Shareholders (and, for information only, to participants in the
GoIndustry Share Schemes) as soon as practicable and in any event
within 28 days from the date of this announcement. Subject to the
approval of GoIndustry Shareholders, the sanction of the Court and
the satisfaction or waiver of the other Conditions, it is expected
that the Scheme will become effective in July2012.
Commenting on the Acquisition, Jack Reinelt, Chief Executive of
GoIndustry, said:-
"GoIndustry has made a great deal of progress in the last few
years in strengthening the company and delivering high quality
surplus asset management services to some of the largest and most
respected companies in the world. However, volatile market
conditions have made it difficult for the company to grow quickly
enough to achieve consistent profitability. Executive management
and the GoIndustry Board strongly believe that combining
GoIndustry's business with Liquidity Services offers the best
opportunity to serve our stakeholders, whether they are corporate
customers, buyers of assets, GoIndustry Shareholders or
employees."
Commenting on the Acquisition, William P. Angrick III, Chairman
& Chief Executive Officer of Liquidity Services, said:-
"The Acquisition represents a strategic combination which will
enhance the size and scale of our online capital assets marketplace
in several key industry areas and strengthen our existing position
in the aerospace, industrial equipment, transportation and scrap
metal markets. In addition, the Acquisition will contribute new
"inside the building" capabilities for the biopharma, consumer
packaged goods, transport, semiconductor and electronics
markets.
The Acquisition will enable us to serve Liquidity Services' and
GoIndustry's respective Fortune 1000 clients and buying customers
with the broadest array of innovative services. Combining Liquidity
Services' and GoIndustry's technology platforms will boost access
to prospective buyers and increase our global footprint to maximise
financial recovery. The combined offering of Liquidity Services and
GoIndustry will enable our respective clients to manage
efficiently, value and sell surplus and idle equipment with a
uniformly high level of service and transparency throughout the
globe in any asset class. Our complementary strengths and
technologies and the expansion of the size and depth of Liquidity
Services' buyer base, its sales team and marketing capabilities
will clearly position Liquidity Services as the trusted provider of
choice for Fortune 1000 corporations in the reverse supply
chain."
Enquiries:
Liquidity Services, Inc. +1 203 467 6868
Jim Rallo, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
1920 L Street, N.W.
6(th) Floor
Washington, D.C.
United States of America
RBC Capital Markets (Financial Adviser to Liquidity
Services) +44 207 653 4000
Stephen J. McPherson
Mark Rushton
GoIndustry-DoveBid plc +44 20 7098 3700
Neville Davis, Chairman
Jack Reinelt, Chief Executive Officer
Leslie-Ann Reed, Chief Financial Officer
WH Ireland Ltd. (Financial Adviser and Nominated
Adviser to GoIndustry) +44 20 7220 1650
Chris Fielding
James Bavister
St. Brides Media & Finance Ltd. (Public Relations
Adviser to GoIndustry) +44 20 7236 1177
Felicity Edwards
This summary should be read in conjunction with, and is subject
to, the full text of this announcement, including the
Appendices.
WH Ireland, which is authorised and regulated in the United
Kingdom by the FSA, is acting exclusively for GoIndustry and no one
else in connection with the Acquisition and other matters referred
to in this announcement and will not be responsible to any person
other than GoIndustry for providing the protections afforded to
clients of WH Ireland nor for giving advice in relation to the
Acquisition or any other matter or arrangement referred to in this
announcement.
RBC Capital Markets, which is authorised and regulated in the
United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting exclusively for Liquidity
Services and Liquidity Services UK and no one else in connection
with the Acquisition and other matters referred to in this
announcement and will not be responsible to any person other than
Liquidity Services or Liquidity Services UK for providing the
protections afforded to clients of RBC Capital Markets nor for
giving advice in relation to the Acquisition or any other matter or
arrangement referred to in this announcement.
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 subscribe for or any invitation to purchase or subscribe
for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in
any jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise. The
Acquisition will be made solely through the Scheme Document and the
Forms of Proxy, which will contain the full terms and conditions of
the Acquisition, including details of how to vote in favour of the
Scheme. Any approval, decision or other response to the Acquisition
should be made only on the basis of the information in the Scheme
Document. Scheme Shareholders are strongly advised by the
GoIndustry Board to read the formal documentation in relation to
the Acquisition once it has been despatched. It is expected that
the Scheme Document (including notices of the Shareholder Meetings)
together with the Forms of Proxy, will be posted to GoIndustry
Shareholders as soon as possible, but will in any event be posted
within 28 days of this announcement, unless otherwise agreed with
the Panel.
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 service of this announcement shall not give
rise to any implication that there has been no change in the facts
set forth in this announcement since such date. Nothing contained
in this announcement shall be deemed to be a forecast, projection
or estimate of the future financial performance of GoIndustry or
the GoIndustry Group or Liquidity Services or the Liquidity
Services Group except where otherwise stated.
Overseas shareholders
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by
law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom should inform themselves
about, and observe, any applicable requirements. Any failure to
comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This announcement does
not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe
for any securities or a solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities pursuant to this announcement or otherwise in any
jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. This
announcement has been prepared for the purposes of complying with
the laws of England and Wales and the Code and the information
disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been
disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with
the laws of any jurisdiction outside England and Wales.
The Acquisition relates to shares in a UK company and is
proposed to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement under
the laws of England and Wales. A transaction effected by means of a
scheme of arrangement is not subject to the proxy solicitation or
tender offer rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the disclosure
requirements, rules and practices applicable in England and Wales
to schemes of arrangement, which differ from the requirements of
the US proxy solicitation and tender offer rules. However, if
Liquidity Services UK were to elect to implement the Acquisition by
means of a Takeover Offer (which it reserves the right to do), such
Takeover Offer will be made in compliance with all applicable laws
and regulations, including the US tender offer rules, to the extent
applicable.
The availability of the Acquisition to GoIndustry 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.
Unless otherwise agreed by Liquidity Services UK and GoIndustry,
or required by the Code, and permitted by applicable law and
regulation, the Acquisition will not be made available, directly or
indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do
so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction and no person may
vote in favour of the Scheme by any such use, means,
instrumentality or form 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.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
This announcement, any oral statements made by Liquidity
Services, Liquidity Services UK or GoIndustry in relation to the
Acquisition, and other information published by Liquidity Services,
Liquidity Services UK or GoIndustry may contain statements about
Liquidity Services, Liquidity Services UK or GoIndustry that are or
may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
can be identified by the fact that they do not relate 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 directors of
GoIndustry and Liquidity Services in the light of their experience
and their perception of historical trends, current conditions,
expected future developments and other factors they believe
appropriate. 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 Liquidity Services' or GoIndustry's operations and
potential synergies resulting from the Acquisition; and (iii) the
effects of government regulation on Liquidity Services' or
GoIndustry's business. By their nature, forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainty and the factors described in the
context of such forward-looking statements in this
announcementcould cause actual results and developments to differ
materially from those expressed in or implied by such
forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are
not guarantees of future financial performance. Except as expressly
provided in this announcement, they have not been reviewed by the
auditors of GoIndustry or Liquidity Services. In particular, no
statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast or
profit estimate and no statement in this announcement should be
interpreted to mean that the future earnings per share of Liquidity
Services following the Acquisition will, for current or future
financial years, necessarily match or exceed the historical or
published earnings per share of Liquidity Services.
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. 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 GoIndustry or Liquidity Services 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.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialise,
or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results
may vary materially from those described in this announcement.
GoIndustry and Liquidity Services assume no obligation to update or
correct the information contained in this announcement except as
required by applicable law.
Dealing disclosure requirements
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in
one per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an
offeree company or of any paper offeror (being any offeror other
than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its
offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening
Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period
and, if later, following the announcement in which any paper
offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must
contain details of the person's interests and short positions in,
and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i)
the offeree company and (ii) any paper offeror(s). An Opening
Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be
made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10(th) business
day following the commencement of the offer period and, if
appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10(th)
business day following the announcement in which any paper offeror
is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant
securities of the offeree company or of a paper offeror prior to
the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead
make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes,
interested in one per cent. or more of any class of relevant
securities of the offeree company or of any paper offeror must make
a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities
of the offeree company or of any paper offeror. A Dealing
Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the
person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe
for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and
(ii) any paper offeror, save to the extent that these details have
previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a
person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than
3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the
relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or
understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an
interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a paper
offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose
of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree
company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be
made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons
acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and
8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose
relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing
Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on
the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk,
including details of the number of relevant securities in issue,
when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first
identified. 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.
Market purchases
In accordance with normal UK market practice, Liquidity Services
UK or its nominees or brokers (acting as agents) may from time to
time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase,
GoIndustry Shares outside the United States, other than pursuant to
the Scheme, prior to the Scheme Effective Date. These purchases may
occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private
transactions at negotiated prices. Any information about such
purchases will be disclosed as required in the United Kingdom.
Information relating to GoIndustry Shareholders, GoIndustry
Option Holders and holders of Convertible Loan Notes
GoIndustry Shareholders, GoIndustry Option Holders and holders
of Convertible Loan Notes should be aware that addresses,
electronic addresses and certain information provided by GoIndustry
Shareholders and other relevant persons for the receipt of
communications from GoIndustry may be provided to Liquidity
Services UK during the Offer Period as required under Section 4 of
Appendix 4 of the Code.
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 GoIndustry's website at
http://www.go-dove.com/company/InvestorRelations.asp by no later
than 12.00 noon on 10 May2012.
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
9 May 2012
RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION
by
Liquidity Services Limited ("Liquidity Services UK")
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liquidity Services, Inc.)
of
GoIndustry-DoveBid plc ("GoIndustry")
(to be implemented by way of a Scheme of Arrangement
under Part 26 of the Companies Act)
1. Introduction
The GoIndustry Board and the Liquidity Services Board are
pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms
of a recommended cash acquisition to be made by Liquidity Services
UK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liquidity Services, Inc.
("Liquidity Services"), of the entire issued and to be issued share
capital of GoIndustry (the "Acquisition"). It is intended that the
Acquisition will be effected by way of a scheme of arrangement made
between GoIndustry and Scheme Shareholders under Part 26 of the
Companies Act. The Scheme will require the approval of Scheme
Shareholders. The terms of the Acquisition value the entire issued
share capital of GoIndustry at approximately GBP7.15 million.
2. Recommendation
The GoIndustry Directors, who have been so advised by WH
Ireland, consider the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and
reasonable. In providing advice to the GoIndustry Directors, WH
Ireland has taken into account the commercial assessments of the
GoIndustry Directors.
Accordingly, the GoIndustry Directors intend unanimously to
recommend to eligible GoIndustry Shareholders that they vote in
favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the resolutions to be
proposed at the Court Meeting and the General Meeting (or in the
event that the Acquisition is subsequently structured as a Takeover
Offer, to accept or procure acceptance of any such Takeover Offer
made by Liquidity Services UK), as those GoIndustry Directors who
hold GoIndustry Shares and the trustee of a trust of which one of
the GoIndustry Directors is the sole beneficiary have undertaken so
to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings of 141,678
GoIndustry Shares in aggregate, representing approximately 1.45 per
cent. of the GoIndustry Shares currently in issue.
3. Summary of the terms of the Acquisition
It is intended that the Acquisition will be effected by way of a
scheme of arrangement made between GoIndustry and Scheme
Shareholders under Part 26 of the Companies Act. The Acquisition
and the Scheme will be subject to the satisfaction (or, if
applicable, waiver) of the Conditions set out in Appendix I to this
announcement and the full terms and conditions that will be set out
in the Scheme Document.
If the Scheme becomes effective in accordance with its terms,
the Scheme Shares will be cancelled and Scheme Shareholders holding
Scheme Shares at the Scheme Record Time will be entitled to
receive:-
for each GoIndustry Share 73 pence in cash
The Acquisition values the entire existing issued share capital
of GoIndustry at approximately GBP7.15 million and the entire
issued and to be issued share capital of GoIndustry at
approximately GBP7.30 million (or US$11.79 million based on the
sterling to US dollar exchange rate as at close of business in
London on the last Business Day prior to the date of this
announcement).
The consideration of 73 pence for each GoIndustry Share
represents:-
- a premium of approximately 54 per cent. to the Closing Price
of 47.5 pence per GoIndustry Share on 30 April 2012, being the last
Business Day prior to the commencement of the Offer Period; and
- a premium of approximately 12 per cent. to the Closing Price
of 65 pence per GoIndustry Share on 8 May 2012, being the last
Business Day prior to the date of this announcement.
4. Background to and reasons for the Acquisition
The Liquidity Services Board believes that the acquisition of
GoIndustry will provide Liquidity Services with an enhanced
international presence contributing new and complementary
capabilities to Liquidity Services' existing services for the sale
of surplus assets. The Liquidity Services Directors believe that
the Acquisition represents a strategic combination which will
increase the size and scale of its online capital assets
marketplace in several key industry areas and strengthen Liquidity
Services' existing position in the aerospace, industrial equipment,
transportation and scrap metal markets. In addition, the
Acquisition will contribute new "inside the building" capabilities
for the biopharma, consumer packaged goods, transport,
semiconductor and electronics markets.
The Acquisition presents the opportunity for Liquidity Services
to acquire GoIndustry's existing portfolio of approximately 5,000
selling clients and over 400,000 registered bidders, which include
an impressive base of global enterprises clients. The Liquidity
Services Board also believes that the Acquisition will enable
Liquidity Services to improve its access to buyers and enhance its
ability to serve Liquidity Services' existing clients. In addition,
the Liquidity Services Board wants to position the Liquidity
Services Group strategically so that it can increase the Liquidity
Services Group's presence in the European and South-East Asian
markets and believes the acquisition of GoIndustry represents the
next stage of Liquidity Services' expansion into these key
markets.
The Liquidity Services Board believes that the integration of
the GoIndustry and Liquidity Services businesses will allow
GoIndustry's business to grow more profitably within a more
cost-efficient corporate structure. Whilst the Acquisition is not
expected to impact Liquidity Services' earnings per share for its
2012 financial year, the Liquidity Services Board also believes
that the combination of the Liquidity Services and GoIndustry
businesses will enhance Liquidity Services' earnings per share by
one to three cents in Liquidity Services' 2013 financial year.
Following completion of the Acquisition, it is therefore Liquidity
Services' intention to combine the GoIndustry and Liquidity
Services businesses.
5. Background to and reasons for recommending the Acquisition
GoIndustry has announced today its preliminary results for the
year ended 31 December 2011. Whilst the GoIndustry Group is making
strategic progress on a number of fronts, it has yet to see
tangible results of this progress in terms of realising consistent
profitability and increasing the market value of GoIndustry.
After considering GoIndustry's progress, the opportunities that
lie ahead and the resources available to realise such
opportunities, the GoIndustry Board unanimously recommends
GoIndustry Shareholders to vote in favour of the Scheme and the
resolutions to be proposed at the Court Meeting and the General
Meeting which would result in the entire issued and to be issued
share capital of GoIndustry being acquired at 73 pence per share in
cash by Liquidity Services UK. GoIndustry and its advisers have
made substantial efforts to determine if offers would be available
at more favourable terms. Based on those efforts, the GoIndustry
Board believes that the Acquisition represents fair and reasonable
consideration for GoIndustry Shareholders and represents a premium
of approximately 54 per cent. to the Closing Price of 47.5 pence
per GoIndustry Share on 30 April 2012, being the last Business Day
prior to the commencement of the Offer Period.
6. Current trading
The GoIndustry Board has been continuing to implement its
strategy to position the GoIndustry Group for growth by signing
more large corporate forward flow accounts. The GoIndustry Board
believes that this will bring greater visibility to revenue, and
will help improve both profits and cashflow. The GoIndustry Board
has also had an ongoing focus on efficiency, having reduced costs
substantially during the latter part of 2011, whilst continuing to
improve business processes. In addition, the GoIndustry Board
expected the GoIndustry Group to benefit from improved performance
as the investment climate recovers in North America and momentum
within its markets improves.
7. Management and employees, places of business and fixed assets of the GoIndustry Group
The Liquidity Services Directors have discussed with the
GoIndustry Directors, Liquidity Services' plans for GoIndustry's
management and employees within the Enlarged Group. Liquidity
Services attaches great importance to the skills and experience of
the existing management and employees of the GoIndustry Group.
Liquidity Services has given assurances that, upon completion of
the Acquisition, the existing employment rights, including pension
rights, of all employees of the GoIndustry Group will be fully
safeguarded.
Save in the case of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief
Financial Officer and the General Counsel of GoIndustry, Liquidity
Services does not currently have any plans to make any material
change to the terms and conditions of employment of the management
and employees of GoIndustry and its subsidiaries.
Liquidity Services has advised the GoIndustry Board that whilst
it has no current intention to change the location of GoIndustry's
operational places of business or to redeploy the fixed assets of
the GoIndustry Group, it intends to carry out a strategic review of
these locations following completion of the Acquisition.
Liquidity Services plans to work with the GoIndustry management
teams to develop and integrate the GoIndustry business within the
existing Liquidity Services Group. The GoIndustry Board and the
Liquidity Services Board both believe that there will be
opportunities for GoIndustry employees to develop their careers
within the broader framework of the Enlarged Group. In due course,
when the integration is complete, Liquidity Services expects to
review the Enlarged Group's operations and it may then be desirable
to make limited operational changes to maximise efficiency and
effectiveness.
Each of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer
and the General Counsel of GoIndustry will be leaving employment
with the GoIndustry Group immediately prior to the Scheme becoming
effective. They will each receive remuneration in line with the
termination provisions of their respective service contracts by way
of compensation pursuant to the terms of conditional compromise
agreements entered into on or about the date of this announcement
together with payment of all outstanding salary and benefits and
agreed termination payments. Further details of the compromise
agreements will be set out in the Scheme Document.
The Non-Executive Directors of GoIndustry have also agreed to
resign as members of the GoIndustry Board immediately prior to the
Scheme becoming effective. They will each receive payments in lieu
of the notice that GoIndustry would otherwise be required to give
them under their respective letters of appointment.
8. Information on the GoIndustry Group
GoIndustry is a public limited company incorporated in England
and Wales. GoIndustry Shares are quoted on the London Stock
Exchange's AIM market (Epic: GOI). GoIndustry is a global market
leader in the provision of asset management, auction and valuation
services and has over 400,000 registered bidders. GoIndustry
delivers innovative solutions that help to value assets accurately,
optimise asset utilisation and reduce costs. GoIndustry combines
its asset, industry and market expertise, with eCommerce technology
to service the needs of multi-national manufacturing corporations,
financial institutions, insolvency practitioners, used equipment
dealers and asset based lenders around the world.
The GoIndustry Directors are Neville Davis (Non-Executive
Chairman), Jack Reinelt (Chief Executive Officer), Leslie-Ann Reed
(Chief Financial Officer), David Bailey (Non-Executive Director),
Kamal Advani (Non-Executive Director) and Max Steinkopf
(Non-Executive Director).
In its preliminary results for the financial year ended 31
December 2011 announced on 9 May 2012, GoIndustry had revenues of
GBP33.5 million (31 December 2010: GBP40.1 million) and a loss
before tax of GBP4.0 million (31 December 2010: GBP0.7 million). As
at 31 December 2011, total assets were GBP48.0 million (31 December
2010: GBP54.6 million) and net assets were GBP22.1 million (31
December 2010: GBP26.6 million).
9. Information on the Liquidity Services Group
Information on Liquidity Services
Liquidity Services is a public corporation incorporated under
the laws of Delaware, USA. Shares in Liquidity Services are listed
on NASDAQ. Liquidity Services provides corporations, public sector
agencies and buying customers with online marketplaces and
integrated services for the sale of surplus assets. On behalf of
its clients, Liquidity Services has completed the sale of over
approximately US$2.6 billion of surplus, returned and end-of-life
assets, in over 500 product categories, including consumer goods,
capital assets and industrial equipment. Liquidity Services is
based in Washington, D.C. and has approximately 700 employees.
The Liquidity Services Directors are William P. Angrick, III
(Chairman & Chief Executive Officer) and Jaime Mateus-Tique,
Phillip A. Clough, Patrick W. Gross, Franklin D. Kramer, David A.
Perdue, Jr. and George H. Ellis.
Information on Liquidity Services UK
Liquidity Services UK is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of
Liquidity Services incorporated in England and Wales with
registered number 04843035. The Liquidity Services UK Directors are
William P. Angrick, III and Thomas Burton. Further information in
relation to Liquidity Services UK will be contained in the Scheme
Document.
10. Irrevocable undertakings
Liquidity Services and Liquidity Services UK have received
irrevocable undertakings from those GoIndustry Directors who hold
GoIndustry Shares (being Neville Davis, Jack Reinelt and David
Bailey) and from Jasmine Trustees Limited (the trustee of a trust
of which Max Steinkopf is the sole beneficiary) and from certain
other GoIndustry Shareholders in respect of, in aggregate,
5,666,037 GoIndustry Shares (representing approximately 57.83 per
cent. of GoIndustry Shares currently in issue) (i) to vote (or (as
applicable) to use reasonable endeavours to procure voting) in
favour of the Scheme Resolutions and the Ordinary Resolution and
(ii) if the Scheme is subsequently structured as a Takeover Offer,
to accept (or (as applicable) use reasonable endeavours to procure
the acceptance of) any potential Takeover Offer by Liquidity
Services UK at the Offer Price.
Further details of these irrevocable undertakings are set out in
Appendix III to this announcement.
11. Confidentiality Agreement
On 29 September 2011, Liquidity Services entered into a
confidentiality agreement with GoIndustry (the "Confidentiality
Agreement") pursuant to which, amongst other things, Liquidity
Services has undertaken (i) to keep confidential certain non-public
information it receives relating to the GoIndustry Group, (ii) not
to disclose such information to third parties (other than certain
permitted disclosees who are directly concerned with Liquidity
Services' assessment of the Acquisition) unless required by law,
legal process, a rule of any listing authority on which Liquidity
Services' shares are listed or traded or by a governmental or
regulatory authority or other authority with relevant powers to
which Liquidity Services is subject or to which it submits (iii)
that such information may only be used to assist Liquidity Services
and its permitted disclosees to evaluate, negotiate, advise on and
implement the Acquisition and (iv) not to use such information in a
way which is prejudicial to the business of the GoIndustry
Group.
Liquidity Services has further undertaken that, subject to
certain limited exclusions, during the period of 12 months from the
date of the Confidentiality Agreement, it will not (and shall
procure that no entity controlled, either directly or indirectly by
it will not) solicit or entice away, or endeavour to solicit or
entice away, from any company in the GoIndustry Group, or employ
any key employee, including sales personnel, of any company in the
GoIndustry Group. Liquidity Services has further undertaken that it
will (and will ensure that any permitted disclosee will) only make
contact with such directors, employees, advisers to, suppliers,
customers (in each case of the GoIndustry Group) or other third
parties who do business with the GoIndustry Group, as shall be
agreed in writing with GoIndustry.
Liquidity Services has also agreed that it will not (and shall
procure that no entity controlled, either directly or indirectly by
it will not), without the prior written consent of GoIndustry, at
any time during the period of 12 months from the date of the
Confidentially Agreement, acquire or cause another person to
acquire an interest in any GoIndustry Shares or enter into any
agreement or arrangement (legally binding or not) to do the same or
make, or cause another person to make an offer for any GoIndustry
Shares or enter into any agreement or arrangement (legally binding
or not) or do or omit to do any act as a result of which Liquidity
Services or such other person may become obliged (under the Code or
otherwise) to make any such offer.
12. Fees Undertaking Letter
On 18 April 2012, Liquidity Services entered into an undertaking
letter with GoIndustry (the "Fees Undertaking Letter") pursuant to
which Liquidity Services has undertaken to put GoIndustry in funds
in order to pay (in advance of being required to pay) GoIndustry's
additional fees (up to a limit of GBP100,000 (inclusive of
applicable VAT thereon and disbursements) in relation to effecting
the Acquisition by way of the Scheme, subject to being provided
with copies of the relevant invoices addressed to GoIndustry. The
undertaking includes but is not limited to the additional fees of
GoIndustry's solicitors, of WH Ireland, the fees of Counsel to be
instructed by GoIndustry in relation to the Scheme, the fees
payable by GoIndustry to the Panel, the fees payable by GoIndustry
to the Court, the fees and expenses of GoIndustry's registrars,
Capita Registrars, in relation to the Scheme, the fees and expenses
of printers and the mailing house in respect of the Scheme Document
and the costs of advertising the various Court Meetings and/or
Court Orders.
13. Transaction Letter
On 9 May 2012, Liquidity Services and Liquidity Services UK
entered into an undertaking letter with GoIndustry (the
"Transaction Letter") pursuant to which Liquidity Services and
Liquidity Services UK have confirmed, undertaken and agreed to and
with GoIndustry, amongst other things:-
(a) subject to the Conditions and any terms and conditions to be
set out in the Scheme Document, to proceed with the Acquisition and
the Scheme and to be bound by the Scheme (and in particular, to pay
the Cash Consideration of 73 pence to GoIndustry Shareholders in
accordance with the provisions of the Scheme);
(b) to acquire a GoIndustry Share prior to the Scheme Record
Time and to hold such share until after the Scheme Effective
Date;
(c) to authorise GoIndustry to brief Counsel for GoIndustry to
appear on behalf of Liquidity Services UK at the Scheme Court
Hearing, to consent to the Scheme and undertake to the Court on
behalf of Liquidity Services UK that Liquidity Services UK will be
bound by the Scheme;
(d) to procure that any holder of GoIndustry Shares beneficially
owned by Liquidity Services UK or any other member of the Liquidity
Services Group will appear by Counsel at the Scheme Court Hearing,
and to submit to be bound by and to undertake to the Court to be
bound by the Scheme;
(e) to provide all such information about itself, its subsidiary
and associated undertakings, its assets, liabilities and financial
position and its directors and their associates as may reasonably
be required by GoIndustry for the purposes of preparing and
verifying the Scheme Document in sufficient time prior to the
despatch of the Scheme Document to shareholders of GoIndustry and
to provide to GoIndustry as soon as reasonably practicable all such
other assistance as may reasonably be required in connection with
the preparation of the Scheme Document;
(f) unless Liquidity Services UK shall previously have invoked a
condition to the Acquisition so as to cause the Acquisition not to
proceed, that Liquidity Services UK will deliver (and Liquidity
Services has undertaken that it will procure that Liquidity
Services UK will deliver) immediately prior to the Scheme Court
Hearing, confirmation that all of the Conditions referred to in
paragraph 3 of the Conditions (as set out in Part A of Appendix I
of this announcement and to be set out in the Scheme Document) have
either been satisfied or waived. If Liquidity Services UK or
Liquidity Services becomes aware of any fact, matter or
circumstance such that it cannot provide such confirmation in
writing immediately prior to the Scheme Court Hearing, Liquidity
Services UK shall inform GoIndustry as soon as reasonably
practicable and, if the date on which GoIndustry is informed is
less than five (5) Business Days prior to the Scheme Court Hearing,
Liquidity Services UK shall (at the request of GoIndustry) give all
reasonable assistance to GoIndustry to enable GoIndustry to procure
that the Scheme Court Hearing and the Capital Reduction Court
Hearing are each postponed for a period of up to five (5) Business
Days (or such further period as GoIndustry may agree) to allow for
the investigation of such fact, matter or circumstance;
(g) to use its reasonable endeavours to procure that each of the
directors, officers and employees of Liquidity Services UK and
Liquidity Services (and those of their subsidiaries) shall do all
such acts as are reasonably necessary to give effect to the terms
of the Transaction Letter;
and each of the parties has agreed with each other:-
(i) to co-operate for the purposes of obtaining any and all
consents, clearances, permissions and waivers as may be necessary
or expedient, and completing all filings and waiting periods as may
be necessary, pursuant to any law, regulation or practice applied
by any applicable law or applicable regulatory authority in
connection with the Acquisition (provided any such disclosure would
not breach any duty of confidence or any applicable law or
regulation); and
(ii) to use all reasonable endeavours to implement proposals by
Liquidity Services and Liquidity Services UK in relation to the
GoIndustry Share Schemes in a manner consistent with the rules of
each GoIndustry Share Scheme and all other applicable all laws and
regulations;
but so that the obligations of Liquidity Services and Liquidity
Services UK under paragraphs (f) and (g) above and under paragraph
(i) above and of GoIndustry under paragraph (i) above shall be
terminated (except to the extent that any such obligation is due to
be performed prior to such date) if (i) the Scheme has not become
effective by 31 August 2012, (ii) the GoIndustry Shareholders fail
to pass by the required majority the resolutions to be proposed at
the Court Meeting or the General Meeting (iii) the Court refuses to
sanction the Scheme including the related Capital Reduction); or
(iv) Liquidity Services UK gives written notice, with the prior
written consent of the Panel, that a Condition has been invoked
with the result that the Acquisition will no longer proceed.
14. Prior transfers of GoIndustry AG subsidiaries and US assets of the GoIndustry Group
In order to ensure that certain operating losses within the
GoIndustry Group will continue to be available to the Enlarged
Group following completion of the Acquisition, GoIndustry and
Liquidity Services have agreed that certain subsidiaries and assets
of the GoIndustry Group will be transferred to the Liquidity
Services Group following the Scheme Sanction Order being made and
in advance of the Scheme becoming effective. These transfers
comprise:-
(a) the entire issued share capital of three members of the
GoIndustry Group (being GoIndustry (UK) Limited, GoIndustry
Operations Limited and GoIndustry (Osterreich) GmbH (together the
"AG Sub Group")), being transferred by GoIndustry AG to Liquidity
Services UK pursuant to the provisions of the UK Share Sale
Agreement for US$25,000 each in cash; and
(b) the assets of GoIndustry, Inc. being transferred by
GoIndustry, Inc. to Liquidity Services Sub pursuant to the
provisions of the US Assets Sale Agreement for US$100,000 in cash
and the assumption by Liquidity Services Sub of the liabilities of
GoIndustry, Inc.
Completion of the UK Share Sale Agreement and the US Assets Sale
Agreement is conditional upon, amongst other things, the Ordinary
Resolution being passed and the Scheme Sanction Order being
made.
GoIndustry and Liquidity Services have also agreed that these
transactions may be unwound in the event that, amongst other
things, the Capital Reduction Court Order is not made or the Scheme
does not become effective within five business days of the Scheme
Court Hearing. Under the terms of the UK Share Sale Agreement and
the US Assets Sale Agreement, GoIndustry AG and GoIndustry, Inc.
each have the benefit of a call option to require Liquidity
Services UK and Liquidity Services Sub to transfer such shares and
assets back to GoIndustry AG and GoIndustry, Inc., respectively,
and Liquidity Services UK and Liquidity Services Sub each have the
benefit of a put option to require GoIndustry AG and GoIndustry,
Inc. to re-acquire such shares and assets from Liquidity Services
UK and Liquidity Services Sub, on the same terms and conditions as
the original transfer if the Scheme does not become effective
within that five business day period. If the put and call options
become exercisable but notice to exercise the put option or the
call option is not issued, GoIndustry AG and GoIndustry, Inc. shall
be deemed to have served a call option notice to require Liquidity
Services UK and Liquidity Services Sub to dispose of the shares and
assets initially transferred on completion of the UK Share Sale
Agreement and the US Assets Sale Agreement.
The Panel has given consent to GoIndustry AG and GoIndustry,
Inc. entering into the UK Share Sale Agreement and the US Assets
Sale Agreement respectively.
As the three members of the GoIndustry Group and the assets
being sold comprise a substantial part of the GoIndustry Group's
business, completion of both the UK Share Sale Agreement and the US
Assets Sale Agreement is subject to the approval of GoIndustry
Shareholders in accordance with the AIM Rules. This approval will
be sought from GoIndustry Shareholders pursuant to the Ordinary
Resolution to be proposed as a separate resolution at the General
Meeting.
At 31 December 2011, the AG Sub Group had aggregate net
liabilities of GBP22.1 million and sustained an aggregate loss of
GBP2.27 million for the twelve months ended on that date. At 31
December 2011, GoIndustry, Inc. had aggregate net assets of GBP8.4
million and made a profit of GBP0.59 million for the twelve months
ended on that date.
Further details of the UK Share Sale Agreement and the US Assets
Sale Agreement will be set out in the Scheme Document.
15. Financing of the Acquisition and Cash Confirmation
The aggregate Cash Consideration payable by Liquidity Services
UK under the terms of the Acquisition will be funded from the
Liquidity Services Group's existing cash resources.
RBC Capital Markets, financialadviser to Liquidity Services UK,
is satisfied that sufficient resources are available to Liquidity
Services UK to satisfy in full the Cash Consideration payable by
Liquidity Services UK under the terms of the Acquisition.
16. GoIndustry Share Schemes
In accordance with the terms of the GoIndustry Share Schemes
(other than the GoIndustry 2009 Unapproved Share Option Plan),
Share Options granted to GoIndustry Option Holders under such Share
Schemes will, to the extent not already exercisable, become
exercisable for a period of six months from the date that the
Scheme is sanctioned by the Court. Any such Share Options not so
exercised will lapse at the end of such six month period.
In accordance with the terms of the GoIndustry 2009 Unapproved
Share Option Plan, Share Options granted to GoIndustry Option
Holders under such Share Scheme will, to the extent not already
exercisable, become immediately exercisable as a result of the
Scheme Document being despatched (any such exercise to be
conditional on the Scheme being sanctioned by the Court) and if not
so exercised, will lapse immediately upon the Scheme being
sanctioned by the Court.
The Offer Price is less than the exercise price of all
outstanding Share Options granted under the GoIndustry Share
Schemes (other than options to subscribe for 97,443 GoIndustry
Shares granted to Jack Reinelt and for 97,985 GoIndustry Shares
granted to Leslie-Ann Reed in each case under the GoIndustry 2009
Unapproved Share Option Plan). Accordingly, if the GoIndustry
Option Holders were to exercise their Share Options, the amount
they would receive for their resulting GoIndustry Shares when they
are cancelled as part of the Scheme (or acquired by Liquidity
Services UK after the Scheme becomes effective) would be less than
the amount which they would have to pay to exercise the Share
Options. It is therefore expected that GoIndustry Option Holders
(other than Jack Reinelt and Leslie-Ann Reed) will not choose to
exercise their Share Options and that they will lapse shortly after
completion of the Acquisition in accordance with their terms.
Further details in relation to the effect of the Acquisition on
Share Options will be set out in the Scheme Document.
17. Convertible Loan Notes
The outstanding Convertible Loan Notes (currently held by a
single holder) are convertible into GoIndustry Shares at a
subscription price of 280p per share and therefore at a price
substantially in excess of the Offer Price. Accordingly, it is not
anticipated that the holder of the outstanding Convertible Loan
Notes will exercise its subscription rights.
Further details in relation to the effect of the Acquisition on
the outstanding Convertible Loan Notes will be set out in the
Scheme Document.
18. Disclosures of interests
Liquidity Services UK confirms that it has no holding in
GoIndustry Shares that are required to be disclosed by it under
Rule 8.1(a) of the Code.
As at the close of business on 8 May 2012, being the last
practicable date prior to the publication of this announcement,
save for irrevocable undertakings referred to in paragraph 10
above, none of Liquidity Services UK or any of the Liquidity
Services UK Board or, so far as the Liquidity Services UK Board is
aware, any person acting, or deemed to be acting, in concert with
Liquidity Services UK:-
- had an interest in, or right to subscribe for, relevant securities of GoIndustry;
- had any short position in (whether conditional or absolute and
whether in the money or otherwise), including any short position
under a derivative, any agreement to sell or any delivery
obligation or right to require another person to purchase or take
delivery of, relevant securities of GoIndustry;
- had procured an irrevocable commitment or letter of intent to
accept or vote in favour of the Acquisition in respect of relevant
securities of GoIndustry; or
- had borrowed or lent any GoIndustry Shares.
Furthermore, no arrangement exists with Liquidity Services UK or
any person acting in concert with Liquidity Services UK in relation
to GoIndustry Shares. For these purposes, an "arrangement" includes
any indemnity or option arrangement, any agreement or any
understanding, formal or informal, of whatever nature, relating to
GoIndustry Shares which may be an inducement to deal or refrain
from dealing in such securities.
19. Structure of the Acquisition
It is intended that the Acquisition will be effected by means of
a Court sanctioned scheme of arrangement between GoIndustry and the
Scheme Shareholders under Part 26 of the Companies Act. The Scheme
is an arrangement between GoIndustry and the Scheme Shareholders
and is subject to the approval of the Court.
The purpose of the Scheme is to provide for Liquidity Services
UK to become the holder of the entire issued and to be issued
ordinary share capital of GoIndustry. This is to be achieved by the
cancellation of the Scheme Shares and the application of the
reserve arising from such cancellation in paying up in full a
number of new ordinary shares in GoIndustry (which is equal, in
nominal value, to the number of Scheme Shares cancelled) and
issuing such new ordinary shares to Liquidity Services UK (or a
nominee of Liquidity Services UK), in consideration for which the
Scheme Shareholders will receive the Cash Consideration on the
basis set out in paragraph 3 of this announcement.
The Scheme will also be subject to the Conditions and certain
further terms referred to in Appendix I to this announcement and to
be set out in the Scheme Document. The Conditions in Part A of
Appendix I to this announcement provide that the Acquisition will
lapse if:-
- the resolutions required to implement the Scheme at the Court
Meeting and the General Meeting are not passed;
- the Scheme Sanction Court Order and the Capital Reduction Court Order are not made; and
- the Scheme does not become effective,
in each case by the Long Stop Date (or such later date as may be
agreed between Liquidity Services UK and GoIndustry).
In particular, to become effective, the Scheme requires the
approval of Scheme Shareholders by the passing of a resolution at
the Court Meeting. The resolution must be approved by a majority in
number present and voting at the Court Meeting, either in person or
by proxy, representing not less than 75 per cent. of the value of
the Scheme Shares which are voted at the Court Meeting (or any
adjournment thereof).
In addition, to become effective, the Scheme also requires the
passing at the General Meeting of the Special Resolution and such
other resolutions that may be necessary to implement the Scheme.
The Special Resolution requires the approval of GoIndustry
Shareholders representing at least 75 per cent. of the votes cast
at the General Meeting, which will be held immediately after the
Court Meeting has been concluded or adjourned.
Once the necessary approvals of GoIndustry Shareholders have
been obtained, and the other Conditions have been satisfied or
(where applicable) waived, the Scheme must be sanctioned and the
Capital Reduction confirmed by the Court, and the Scheme will only
become effective upon delivery to the Registrar of Companies of the
Court Orders and a Statement of Capital giving details of
GoIndustry's share capital, as altered by the Capital
Reduction.
Upon the Scheme becoming effective, it will be binding on all
Scheme Shareholders, irrespective of whether or not they attended
or voted at the Court Meeting or the General Meeting (and, if they
attended and voted, whether or not they voted in favour).
Further details of the Scheme will be contained in the Scheme
Document.
20. Share certificates, cancellation of admission to trading and re-registration
On the Scheme Effective Date, GoIndustry will become a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Liquidity Services UK and share
certificates in respect of GoIndustry Shares will cease to be valid
and should be destroyed. In addition, entitlements to GoIndustry
Shares held within the CREST system will be cancelled on the Scheme
Effective Date.
If the Scheme becomes effective, Liquidity Services UK intends
to apply to the London Stock Exchange to cancel the admission of
GoIndustry Shares to trading on AIM. The last day of trading in
GoIndustry Shares on AIM is expected to be the Business Day
immediately prior to the Scheme Effective Date and no transfers
will be registered after 6:00 p.m. on that date.
It is also intended that, on or following the Scheme Effective
Date, GoIndustry will be re-registered as a private limited
company.
21. Anticipated timetable
GoIndustry currently anticipates that:-
- it will publish and dispatch the Scheme Document to GoIndustry
Shareholders and, for information only, to participants in the
GoIndustry Share Schemes as soon as practicable and in any event
within 28 days of the date of this announcement (or such later date
as may be agreed by the Panel); and
- the Scheme will become effective in early July 2012, subject
to the satisfaction (or, if applicable, waiver) of the Conditions
set out in Appendix I to this announcement.
If the Scheme does not become effective by the Long Stop Date,
the Scheme will lapse except where the approval of GoIndustry
Shareholders at the Court Meeting and General Meeting is obtained
before this date, in which case the Long Stop Date may be extended
to such later date as Liquidity Services UK and GoIndustry may
agree and, if appropriate, the Court may approve.
22. Documents on display
Copies of the following documents will be made available,
subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in any
Restricted Jurisdiction, on GoIndustry's website
(http://www.go-dove.com/company/InvestorRelations.asp) by no later
than 12.00 noon on 10 May 2012 (being the day following the date of
this announcement) until the end of the Offer Period:-
- this announcement;
- the irrevocable undertakings referred to in paragraph 10 above;
- the Confidentiality Agreement referred to in paragraph 11 above;
- the Fees Undertaking Letter referred to in paragraph 12 above;
- the Transaction Letter referred to in paragraph 13 above; and
- the UK Share Sale Agreement and the US Assets Sale Agreement
referred to in paragraph 14 above.
23. General
The GoIndustry Directors accept responsibility for the
information contained in this announcement relating to the
recommendation and opinions of the GoIndustry Directors, GoIndustry
and the GoIndustry Group. To the best of the knowledge and belief
of the GoIndustry Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to
ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this
announcement for which they are responsible is in accordance with
the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of
such information.
The Liquidity Services Directors and the Liquidity Services UK
Directors accept responsibility for the information contained in
this announcement relating to Liquidity Services, Liquidity
Services UK, the Liquidity Services Group, the Liquidity Services
Directors, the Liquidity Services UK Directors (including their
respective families, related trusts or companies and the persons
connected with them within the meaning of section 252 of the
Companies Act 2006), the parties acting in concert with Liquidity
Services and Liquidity Services UK for the purposes of the Code,
Liquidity Services' future plans for the GoIndustry Group and the
GoIndustry Group's management, employees, places of business and
fixed assets, and the acquisition financing relating to Liquidity
Services. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Liquidity
Services Directors and the Liquidity Services UK Directors (who
have each taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the
case), the information contained in this announcement for which
they are responsible is in accordance with the facts and does not
omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
Liquidity Services UK reserves the right, with the agreement of
GoIndustry and the consent of the Panel (where necessary), to elect
to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer for the
entire issued and to be issued share capital of GoIndustry as an
alternative to the Scheme. Any such Takeover Offer will be subject
to an acceptance condition of Liquidity Services UK having acquired
(whether pursuant to the Takeover Offer or otherwise) such
percentage (being more than 50 per cent.) of the GoIndustry Shares,
as Liquidity Services UK may decide, having consulted with the
Panel. Otherwise the Takeover Offer will be implemented on the same
terms (subject to appropriate amendments), including (without
limitation) an acceptance condition set at 90 per cent. (or such
less percentage, being more than 50 per cent., as Liquidity
Services UK may decide) of the GoIndustry Shares to which such
offer relates, so far as applicable, as those which would apply to
the Scheme and in compliance with applicable laws and
regulations.
If the Acquisition is effected by way of a Takeover Offer and
such offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects and
sufficient acceptances are received, Liquidity Services UK would
intend to: (i) request the London Stock Exchange to cancel the
admission of GoIndustry Shares to trading on AIM; and (ii) exercise
its rights (to the extent such rights are available) to apply the
provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Companies Act to acquire
compulsorily the remaining GoIndustry Shares in respect of which
such offer has not been accepted.
Further details of the Scheme, including how Scheme Shareholders
may participate in the Court Meeting and General Meeting, will be
contained in the Scheme Document.
WH Ireland has given and has not withdrawn its written consent
to the issue of this announcement with the inclusion herein of the
references to its name in the form and context in which it
appears.
RBC Capital Markets, financialadviser to Liquidity Services and
Liquidity Services UK, has given and has not withdrawn its written
consent to the issue of this announcement with the inclusion herein
of the references to its name in the form and context in which it
appears.
Enquiries:
Liquidity Services, Inc. +1 203 467 6868
Jim Rallo, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
1920 L Street, N.W.
6(th) Floor
Washington, D.C.
United States of America
RBC Capital Markets (Financial Adviser to Liquidity
Services) +44 207 653 4000
Stephen J. McPherson
Mark Rushton
GoIndustry-DoveBid plc +44 20 7098 3700
Neville Davis, Chairman
Jack Reinelt, Chief Executive Officer
Leslie-Ann Reed, Chief Financial Officer
WH Ireland Ltd. (Financial Adviser and Nominated
Adviser to GoIndustry) +44 20 7220 1650
Chris Fielding
James Bavister
St. Brides Media & Finance Ltd. (Public Relations
Adviser to GoIndustry) +44 20 7236 1177
Felicity Edwards
This summary should be read in conjunction with, and is subject
to, the full text of this announcement, including the
Appendices.
WH Ireland, which is authorised and regulated in the United
Kingdom by the FSA, is acting exclusively for GoIndustry and no one
else in connection with the Acquisition and other matters referred
to in this announcement and will not be responsible to any person
other than GoIndustry for providing the protections afforded to
clients of WH Ireland nor for giving advice in relation to the
Acquisition or any other matter or arrangement referred to in this
announcement.
RBC Capital Markets, which is authorised and regulated in the
United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting exclusively for Liquidity
Services and Liquidity Services UK and no one else in connection
with the Acquisition and other matters referred to in this
announcement and will not be responsible to any person other than
Liquidity Services or Liquidity Services UK for providing the
protections afforded to clients of RBC Capital Markets nor for
giving advice in relation to the Acquisition or any other matter or
arrangement referred to in this announcement.
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 subscribe for or any invitation to purchase or subscribe
for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in
any jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise. The
Acquisition will be made solely through the Scheme Document and the
Forms of Proxy, which will contain the full terms and conditions of
the Acquisition, including details of how to vote in favour of the
Scheme. Any approval, decision or other response to the Acquisition
should be made only on the basis of the information in the Scheme
Document. Scheme Shareholders are strongly advised by the
GoIndustry Board to read the formal documentation in relation to
the Acquisition once it has been despatched. It is expected that
the Scheme Document (including notices of the Shareholder Meetings)
together with the Forms of Proxy, will be posted to GoIndustry
Shareholders as soon as possible, but will in any event be posted
within 28 days of this announcement, unless otherwise agreed with
the Panel.
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 service of this announcement shall not give
rise to any implication that there has been no change in the facts
set forth in this announcement since such date. Nothing contained
in this announcement shall be deemed to be a forecast, projection
or estimate of the future financial performance of GoIndustry or
the GoIndustry Group or Liquidity Services or the Liquidity
Services Group except where otherwise stated.
Overseas shareholders
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by
law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom should inform themselves
about, and observe, any applicable requirements. Any failure to
comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This announcement does
not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe
for any securities or a solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities pursuant to this announcement or otherwise in any
jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. This
announcement has been prepared for the purposes of complying with
the laws of England and Wales and the Code and the information
disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been
disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with
the laws of any jurisdiction outside England and Wales.
The Acquisition relates to shares in a UK company and is
proposed to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement under
the laws of England and Wales. A transaction effected by means of a
scheme of arrangement is not subject to the proxy solicitation or
tender offer rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the disclosure
requirements, rules and practices applicable in England and Wales
to schemes of arrangement, which differ from the requirements of
the US proxy solicitation and tender offer rules. However, if
Liquidity Services UK were to elect to implement the Acquisition by
means of a Takeover Offer (which it reserves the right to do), such
Takeover Offer will be made in compliance with all applicable laws
and regulations, including the US tender offer rules, to the extent
applicable.
The availability of the Acquisition to GoIndustry 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.
Unless otherwise agreed by Liquidity Services UK and GoIndustry,
or required by the Code, and permitted by applicable law and
regulation, the Acquisition will not be made available, directly or
indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do
so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction and no person may
vote in favour of the Scheme by any such use, means,
instrumentality or form 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.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
This announcement, any oral statements made by Liquidity
Services, Liquidity Services UK or GoIndustry in relation to the
Acquisition, and other information published by Liquidity Services,
Liquidity Services UK or GoIndustry may contain statements about
Liquidity Services, Liquidity Services UK or GoIndustry that are or
may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
can be identified by the fact that they do not relate 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 directors of
GoIndustry and Liquidity Services UK in the light of their
experience and their perception of historical trends, current
conditions, expected future developments and other factors they
believe appropriate. 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 Liquidity Services or GoIndustry's
operations and potential synergies resulting from the Acquisition;
and (iii) the effects of government regulation on Liquidity
Services' or GoIndustry's business. By their nature,
forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty and the
factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements
in this announcementcould cause actual results and developments to
differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such
forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are
not guarantees of future financial performance. Except as expressly
provided in this announcement, they have not been reviewed by the
auditors of GoIndustry or Liquidity Services UK. In particular, no
statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast or
profit estimate and no statement in this announcement should be
interpreted to mean that the future earnings per share of Liquidity
Services following the Acquisition will, for current or future
financial years, necessarily match or exceed the historical or
published earnings per share of Liquidity Services.
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. 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 GoIndustry or Liquidity Services UK 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.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialise,
or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results
may vary materially from those described in this announcement.
GoIndustry and Liquidity Services UK assume no obligation to update
or correct the information contained in this announcement except as
required by applicable law.
Dealing disclosure requirements
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in
one per cent. Or more of any class of relevant securities of an
offeree company or of any paper offeror (being any offeror other
than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its
offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening
Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period
and, if later, following the announcement in which any paper
offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must
contain details of the person's interests and short positions in,
and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i)
the offeree company and (ii) any paper offeror(s). An Opening
Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be
made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10(th) business
day following the commencement of the offer period and, if
appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10(th)
business day following the announcement in which any paper offeror
is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant
securities of the offeree company or of a paper offeror prior to
the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead
make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes,
interested in one per cent. Or more of any class of relevant
securities of the offeree company or of any paper offeror must make
a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities
of the offeree company or of any paper offeror. A Dealing
Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the
person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe
for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and
(ii) any paper offeror, save to the extent that these details have
previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a
person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than
3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the
relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or
understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an
interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a paper
offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose
of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree
company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be
made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons
acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and
8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose
relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing
Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on
the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk,
including details of the number of relevant securities in issue,
when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first
identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit
on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if GoIndustry Shareholders are in any doubt
as to whether they are required to make an Opening Position
Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.
Market purchases
In accordance with normal UK market practice, Liquidity Services
UK or its nominees or brokers (acting as agents) may from time to
time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase,
GoIndustry Shares outside the United States, other than pursuant to
the Scheme, prior to the Scheme Effective Date. These purchases may
occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private
transactions at negotiated prices. Any information about such
purchases will be disclosed as required in the UK.
Information relating to GoIndustry Shareholders,GoIndustry
Option Holders and holders of Convertible Loan Notes
Golndustry Shareholders should be aware that addresses,
electronic addresses and certain information provided by GoIndustry
Shareholders and other relevant persons for the receipt of
communications from GoIndustry may be provided to Liquidity
Services UK during the Offer Period as required under Section 4 of
Appendix 4 of the Code.
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 the GoIndustry website at
http://www.go-dove.com/company/InvestorRelations.asp by no later
than 12.00 noon on 10 May2012.
APPENDIX I
CONDITIONS AND FURTHER TERMS OF THE SCHEME AND THE
ACQUISITION
Part A: Conditions of the Scheme and the Acquisition
1. The Acquisition will be conditional upon the Scheme becoming
unconditional and becoming effective, subject to the Code, no later
than the Long Stop Date or such later date (if any) as Liquidity
Services UK and GoIndustry may (with the consent of the Panel)
agree and, if required, the Court may allow.
2. The Scheme will be conditional upon:-
(i) its approval by a majority in number of the GoIndustry
Shareholders entitled to vote and present at the Court Meeting
representing at least 75 per cent of the value of the GoIndustry
Shares (or the relevant class or classes of GoIndustry Shares, if
applicable) present and voting, either in person or by proxy, at
the Court Meeting and at any separate class meeting which may be
required by the Court or at any adjournment of such meeting;
(ii) all resolutionsnecessary to approve and implement the
Scheme and to approve the Capital Reduction being duly passed by
GoIndustry Shareholders by the requisite majorities at the General
Meeting or at any adjournment of such meeting; and
(iii) the sanction of the Scheme with or without modification
(but subject to any such modification being acceptable to Liquidity
Services UK and GoIndustry) and the confirmation of the Capital
Reduction by the Court and the delivery for registration of the
Scheme Sanction Court Order, the Capital Reduction Court Order and
the Statement of Capital to the Registrar of Companies.
3. In addition, Liquidity Services UK and GoIndustry have agreed
that the Acquisition will be conditional upon the following
conditions and, accordingly, the necessary actions to make the
Scheme effective will not be taken unless the following Conditions
have been satisfied (and continue to be satisfied pending the
commencement of the Court Meeting) or, where relevant, are waived
prior to the Scheme being sanctioned by the Court:-
(a) all filings having been made and all or any appropriate
waiting periods, including any extension thereof, applicable under
US Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (as
amended) and the regulations made under that Act having expired,
lapsed or been terminated as appropriate in each case in respect of
the Acquisition;
(b) save as Disclosed, no government or governmental,
quasi-governmental, supranational, statutory, regulatory, court in
any jurisdiction (each a "Third Party") having given notice of a
decision to take, institute, implement or threaten any action,
proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or reference, or enacted,
made or proposed any statute, regulation, decision or order, or
having taken any other steps which would or might reasonably be
expected to:-
(i) require, prevent or delay the divestiture, or materially
alter the terms envisaged for any proposed divestiture by any
member of the Wider Liquidity Services UK Group or any member of
the GoIndustry Group of all or any portion of their respective
businesses, assets or property or impose any limitation on the
ability of any of them to conduct their respective businesses (or
any of them) or to own or control any of their respective assets or
properties or any part thereof which is material in the context of
the GoIndustry Group taken as a whole;
(ii) require, prevent or materially delay a divestiture by any
member of the Wider Liquidity Services UK Group of any shares or
other securities (or the equivalent) in GoIndustry;
(iii) impose any material limitation on, or result in a material
delay in, the ability of any member of the Wider Liquidity Services
UK Group or the GoIndustry Group directly or indirectly to acquire
or to hold or to exercise effectively any rights of ownership in
respect of shares, or in respect of loans or securities convertible
into shares or any other securities (or the equivalent) in any
member of the GoIndustry Group or on the ability of any such member
to hold or exercise effectively any rights of ownership in respect
of shares or in respect of loans or securities convertible into
shares or any other securities (or the equivalent) in, or to
exercise management control over, any member of the GoIndustry
Group;
(iv) otherwise adversely affect the business, assets or profits
of any member of the Wider Liquidity Services UK Group or of any
member of the GoIndustry Group which is material in the context of
the GoIndustry Group taken as a whole;
(v) make the Acquisition, its implementation or the acquisition
or proposed acquisition by Liquidity Services UK or any member of
the Wider Liquidity Services UK Group of any shares or other
securities in, or control or management of, GoIndustry or any
member of the GoIndustry Group void, illegal, and/or unenforceable
under the laws of any jurisdiction, or otherwise restrain, directly
or indirectly, restrict, prohibit, delay or otherwise materially
interfere with the same, or impose additional material conditions
or obligations with respect thereto, or otherwise materially
challenge or interfere therewith or require material amendment to
the terms thereof;
(vi) require any member of the Wider Liquidity Services UK Group
or the GoIndustry Group to acquire or to offer to acquire any
shares or other securities (or the equivalent) or interest in any
member of the GoIndustry Group or the Wider Liquidity Services UK
Group owned by any third party (other than in connection with the
implementation of the Scheme);
(vii) impose any material limitation on the ability of any
member of the GoIndustry Group or the Wider Liquidity Services UK
Group to conduct, integrate or co-ordinate its business, or any
part of it, with the businesses of any other members; or
(viii) result in any member of the GoIndustry Group ceasing to
be able to carry on business under any name under which it
presently does so which, in any case, is material in the context of
the GoIndustry Group taken as a whole,
and all applicable waiting and other time periods during which
any such Third Party could take, institute, implement or threaten
any action, proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or reference
or any other step under the laws of any jurisdiction in respect of
the Scheme or the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any
GoIndustry Shares, or other securities in, or control of,
GoIndustry or any other member of the GoIndustry Group having
expired, lapsed or been terminated;
(c) save as Disclosed, there being no provision of any
agreement, arrangement, licence, lease, permit or other instrument
to which any member of the GoIndustry Group is a party or by or to
which any such member or any of its assets may be bound, entitled
or subject, which in consequence of the Scheme or the proposed
acquisition of any shares or other securities in GoIndustry or
because of a change in the control or management of GoIndustry or
otherwise, could or might reasonably be expected to result in (to
an extent which is material in the context of the GoIndustry Group
taken as a whole):-
(i) any moneys borrowed by or any other indebtedness (actual or
contingent) of, or grant available to, any such member being or
becoming repayable or capable of being declared repayable
immediately or earlier than their or its stated maturity date or
repayment date, or the ability of any such member to borrow moneys
or incur any indebtedness being withdrawn or inhibited or being
capable of becoming or being withdrawn or inhibited;
(ii) any such agreement, arrangement, licence, lease, permit or
instrument or the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of
any such member thereunder being terminated or modified or affected
or any onerous obligation or liability arising or any action being
taken thereunder;
(iii) any assets or interests of any such member being or
falling to be disposed of or charged, or any right arising under
which any such asset or interest could be required to be disposed
of or charged otherwise than in the ordinary course of
business;
(iv) 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 mortgage, charge or
other security interest (whenever created or arising) becoming
enforceable;
(v) the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of any
such member in, or the business of any such member with, any
person, firm or body (or any arrangement or arrangements relating
to any such interest or business) being terminated, adversely
modified or affected;
(vi) the value of any such member or its financial or trading
position being prejudiced or adversely affected;
(vii) any such member ceasing to be able to carry on business
under any name under which it presently does so; or
(viii) the creation of any liability, actual or contingent, by
any such member otherwise than in the ordinary course of
business,
and no event having occurred which, under any provision of any
agreement, arrangement, licence, lease, permit or other instrument
to which any member of the GoIndustry Group is a party or by 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 (i) -
(viii) of this paragraph (c);
(d) all notifications, filings or applications which are
necessary in connection with the Acquisition having been made and
all statutory or regulatory obligations in any relevant
jurisdiction having been complied with in all material respects in
connection with the Acquisition or the acquisition by any member of
the Wider Liquidity Services UK Group of any shares or other
securities in, or control of, GoIndustry and all authorisations,
orders, recognitions, grants, consents, licences, confirmations,
clearances, permissions and approvals necessary for or in respect
of the Acquisition or the proposed acquisition of any shares or
other securities in, or control of, GoIndustry by any member of the
Wider Liquidity Services UK Group having been obtained in terms and
in a form reasonably satisfactory to Liquidity Services UK from all
appropriate Third Parties including, without limitation, persons
with whom any member of the GoIndustry Group has entered into
contractual arrangements and all such authorisations, orders,
recognitions, grants, consents, licences, confirmations,
clearances, permissions and approvals together with all material
authorisations orders, recognitions, grants, licences,
confirmations, clearances, permissions and approvals necessary to
carry on the business of any member of the GoIndustry Group
remaining in full force and effect and all filings necessary for
such purpose having been made and no notice of any intention to
revoke or not to renew any of the same having been received;
(e) save as Disclosed and in relation to the Acquisition and the
Scheme, no member of the GoIndustry Group having, since 31 December
2011:-
(i) save as between GoIndustry and any member of the GoIndustry
Group or between any such members of the GoIndustry Group or for
GoIndustry Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of options
granted under the GoIndustry Share Schemes, issued or agreed to
issue or authorised or proposed the issue of additional shares of
any class, or securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, or
rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or acquire, any such
shares or convertible capital or transferred or sold or agreed to
transfer or sell or proposed the transfer or sale of GoIndustry
Shares out of treasury;
(ii) other than to another member of the GoIndustry Group (or to
a Third Party, provided that the dividend or other distribution is
pro rata to that party's existing interest in such member) and
consistent with practice in the preceding financial year of such
member and/or is paid or made consistent to any contractual
obligation which has been Disclosed, recommended, declared, paid or
made or proposed to recommend, declare, pay or make any bonus,
dividend or other distribution whether payable in cash or
otherwise;
(iii) save for intra-GoIndustry Group transactions and the UK
Share Sale Agreement and the US Assets Sale Agreement, merged or
demerged with any body corporate or acquired or disposed of or
transferred, mortgaged or charged or created any security interest
over any assets or any right, title or interest in any asset
(including shares and trade investments) or authorised or proposed
or announced any intention to propose any merger, demerger,
acquisition or disposal, transfer, mortgage, charge or security
interest, in each case, which is material in the context of the
GoIndustry Group taken as a whole and other than in the ordinary
course of business and;
(iv) save for intra-GoIndustry Group transactions and in
relation to the Scheme, made or authorised or proposed or announced
an intention to propose any change in its loan capital;
(v) issued, authorised or proposed the issue of any debentures
or, save for intra-GoIndustry Group transactions and save in the
ordinary course of business, incurred or increased any indebtedness
or become subject to any contingent liability which is material in
the context of the GoIndustry Group taken as a whole;
(vi) purchased, redeemed or repaid or announced any proposal to
purchase, redeem or repay any of its own shares or other securities
or reduced or, save in respect to the matters mentioned in
paragraph (i) above, made any other change to any part of its share
capital;
(vii) implemented, or authorised, proposed or announced its
intention to implement, any reconstruction, amalgamation, scheme,
commitment or other transaction or arrangement otherwise than in
the ordinary course of business which is material in the context of
the GoIndustry Group taken as a whole (other than in connection
with the Scheme);
(viii) entered into or changed the terms of any contract with
any director or senior executive of any member of the GoIndustry
Group;
(ix) proposed, agreed to provide or modified the terms of any
share option scheme, incentive scheme, or, other than in the
ordinary course of business, materially altered any other benefit
relating to the employment or termination of employment of any
employee of the GoIndustry Group;
(x) nor the trustees of the relevant pension scheme having made
or agreed or consented to any significant change to the terms of
the trust deeds constituting the pension schemes established for
its directors, employees or their dependants or the benefits which
accrue, or to the pensions which are payable, thereunder, or to the
basis on which qualification for, or accrual or entitlement to,
such benefits or pensions are calculated or determined or to the
basis on which the liabilities (including pensions) of such pension
schemes are funded or valued, or agreed or consented to any change
to the trustees or trustee directors;
(xi) entered into or varied or authorised or proposed or
announced its intention to enter into or vary, any contract,
transaction, arrangement or commitment (whether in respect of
capital expenditure or otherwise) which is of a long term, onerous
or unusual nature or magnitude or which is or could restrictive on
the businesses of any member of the GoIndustry Group or the Wider
Liquidity Services UK Group or which involves or could reasonably
be expected to involve an obligation of such a nature or magnitude
or which is other than in the ordinary course of business and which
is reasonably be expected to be material in the context of the
GoIndustry Group taken as a whole;
(xii) (other than in respect of a member which is dormant and
was solvent at the relevant time) taken any corporate action or had
any legal proceedings started or threatened against it for its
winding-up, dissolution or reorganisation or for the appointment of
a receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, trustee or
similar officer of all or any of its assets or revenues or any
analogous proceedings in any jurisdiction or had any such person
appointed;
(xiii) waived or compromised any claim otherwise than in the
ordinary course of business and which is material in the context of
the GoIndustry Group taken as a whole;
(xiv) made any material alteration to its memorandum or articles
of association or other incorporation documents which is material
in the context of the GoIndustry Group taken as a whole;
(xv) been unable, or admitted in writing that it is unable, to
pay its debts or commenced negotiations with one or more of its
creditors with a view to rescheduling or restructuring any of its
indebtedness, or having stopped or suspended (or threatened to stop
or suspend) payment of its debts generally or ceased or threatened
to cease carrying on all or a substantial part of its business, in
any such case which is material in the context of the GoIndustry
Group taken as a whole; or
(xvi) entered into any contract, commitment, arrangement or
agreement otherwise than in the ordinary course of business or
passed any resolution or made any offer (which remains open for
acceptance) with respect to or announced any intention to, or to
propose to, effect any of the transactions, matters or events
referred to in this condition;
(f) save as Disclosed, since 31 December 2011:-
(i) no adverse change or deterioration having occurred in the
business, assets, financial or trading position or profits of any
member of the GoIndustry Group;
(ii) no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or
other legal proceedings to which any member of the GoIndustry Group
is or may become a party (whether as a plaintiff, claimant,
defendant or otherwise) and no investigation or enquiry by or
complaint or reference to any Third Party against or in respect of
any member of the GoIndustry Group having been instituted,
announced or threatened by or against or remaining outstanding in
respect of any member of the GoIndustry Group;
(iii) no contingent or other liability having arisen or become
apparent to Liquidity Services UK which would be likely adversely
to affect any member of the GoIndustry Group; and
(iv) no steps having been taken which are likely to result in
the withdrawal (without replacement), cancellation, termination or
modification of any licence or other authorisation held by any
member of the GoIndustry Group which is necessary for the proper
carrying on of its business,
in each case, which is material in the context of the GoIndustry
Group taken as a whole;
(g) since 31 December 2011 and save as Disclosed, Liquidity
Services UK not having discovered that any financial, business or
other information concerning GoIndustry or the GoIndustry Group
which is contained in the information publicly announced at any
time by or on behalf of any member of the GoIndustry Group through
a Regulatory Information Service contains a misrepresentation of
fact which has not, prior to the date of this announcement, been
corrected by public announcement through a Regulatory Information
Service or omits to state a fact which would make the information
contained therein not misleading and which in any such case is
material in the context of the GoIndustry Group, taken as a
whole.
Part B: Certain further terms of the Acquisition
1. Subject to the requirements of the Panel, or if required by
the Court, Liquidity Services UK reserves the right to waive:-
(i) prior to the date of such deadline (or any extension
thereof), any of the deadlines in the Condition set out in
paragraph 2 of Part A above for the timing of the Court Meeting,
General Meeting and the Court hearing to sanction the Scheme. If
any such deadline is not met, Liquidity Services UK will make an
announcement by 8.00 a.m. on the Business Day following such
deadline confirming whether it has invoked or waived the relevant
Condition or agreed with GoIndustry to extend the deadline in
relation to the relevant Condition; and
(ii) in whole or in part, all or any of the Conditions set out in paragraph 3 of Part A above.
2. If Liquidity Services UK is required by the Panel to make an
offer for GoIndustry Shares under the provisions of Rule 9 of the
Code, Liquidity Services UK may make such alterations to any of the
above Conditions and to the terms of the Acquisition as are
necessary to comply with the provisions of that Rule.
3. Save as set out in the Transaction Letter (as referred to in
paragraph 13(f) of this announcement), Liquidity Services UK shall
be under no obligation to waive (if capable of waiver), to
determine to be or remain satisfied or to treat as fulfilled any of
Conditions set out in paragraphs 3(a) to 3(g) (inclusive) of Part A
above of this Appendix I by a date earlier than the latest date for
the fulfilment of the Conditions notwithstanding that the other
Conditions of the Acquisition may at such earlier date have been
waived or fulfilled and that there are at such earlier date no
circumstances indicating that any of such Conditions may not be
capable of fulfilment.
4. The Acquisition will lapse and the Scheme will not proceed
if, before the date of the Shareholder Meetings the Acquisition, or
any matter arising from it, is referred to the UK Competition
Commission.
5. Liquidity Services UK reserves the right to elect, with the
agreement of GoIndustry and the consent of the Panel (where
necessary), to proceed by way of a Takeover Offer as an alternative
to the Scheme. Any such Takeover Offer will be subject to an
acceptance condition set at 90 per cent. (or such less percentage,
being more than 50 per cent., as Liquidity Services UK may decide)
of the GoIndustry Shares to which such offer relates and will
otherwise be on substantially the same terms, subject to
appropriate amendments, as those which would apply to the Scheme
and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations (the
"General Offer Acceptance Condition"). If a Takeover Offer becomes
or is declared unconditional in all respects and sufficient
acceptances are received, Liquidity Services UK intends to: (i)
request the London Stock Exchange to cancel the admission of
GoIndustry Shares to trading on AIM; and (ii) exercise its rights
(to the extent such rights are available) to apply the provisions
of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Companies Act to acquire
compulsorily the remaining GoIndustry Shares in respect of which
such offer has not been accepted.
6. The availability of the Acquisition 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.
7. The Acquisition is not being made, directly or indirectly,
in, into or from, or by use of the mails of, or by any means of
instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail
or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate
or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or
other securities exchange of, any jurisdiction where to do so would
violate the laws of that jurisdiction.
8. Under Rule 13.5 of the Code, Liquidity Services UK may not
invoke a Condition to the Acquisition so as to cause the
Acquisition not to proceed, to lapse or to be withdrawn unless the
circumstances which give rise to the right to invoke the Condition
are of material significance to Liquidity Services in the context
of the Acquisition. The Conditions contained in paragraphs 1 and 2
of Part A above of this Appendix I and to be set out in the Scheme
Document and, if applicable, the General Offer Acceptance Condition
set out in paragraph 5 of this Part B and to be set out in the
Scheme Document are not subject to Rule 13.5 of the Code.
9. Under Rule 13.6 of the Code, GoIndustry may not invoke, or
cause or permit Liquidity Services UK to invoke, any condition to
the Acquisition unless the circumstances which give rise to the
right to invoke the condition are of material significance to the
GoIndustry Shareholders in the context of the Acquisition.
10. The Acquisition and the Scheme will be governed by the law
of England and Wales and will be subject to the jurisdiction of the
English courts. The Acquisition will be on and subject to the
Conditions and further terms set out in this Appendix I and to be
set out in the Scheme Document. The Scheme will be subject to
applicable requirements of the Code, the Panel, the UKLA and the
London Stock Exchange.
APPENDIX II
SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND BASES OF CALCULATION
In this announcement:-
(i) Unless otherwise stated, the financial information relating
to GoIndustry is extracted or derived (without material adjustment)
from the annual report and accounts of GoIndustry for the financial
year ending 31 December 2010 and the GoIndustry Preliminary 2011
Results Announcement.
(ii) The fully diluted share capital of GoIndustry (being
9,993,922 GoIndustry Shares) is calculated on the basis of
9,798,494 GoIndustry Shares in issue on 9 May 2012, with a further
195,428 GoIndustry Shares subject to options under the GoIndustry
Share Schemes, which have an exercise price of less than 73 pence
per share.
(iii) All prices for GoIndustry Shares have been extracted from
the Daily Official List and represent the Closing Price on the
relevant date or dates.
APPENDIX III
IRREVOCABLE UNDERTAKINGS
1. Directors' irrevocable undertakings
Liquidity Services and Liquidity Services UK have received
irrevocable undertakings from those GoIndustry Directors who own
GoIndustry Shares (being Neville Davis, Jack Reinelt and David
Bailey) and from Jasmine Trustees Limited (the trustee of a trust
of which Max Steinkopf is the sole beneficiary) to vote in favour
of the Scheme Resolutions and the Ordinary Resolution to be
proposed at the Shareholder Meetings (and if the Acquisition is
subsequently structured as a Takeover Offer, to accept any such
offer made by Liquidity Services UK) in respect of their entire
beneficial holdings, as set out below, being GoIndustry Shares
representing, in aggregate, approximately 1.45 per cent. of the
existing issued share capital of GoIndustry:-
Number of GoIndustry Shares Percentage of existing issued share capital
========================= =========================== ===========================================
Neville Davis 15,555 0.16
========================= =========================== ===========================================
Jack Reinelt 55,555 0.57
========================= =========================== ===========================================
David Bailey 53,516 0.55
========================= =========================== ===========================================
Jasmine Trustees Limited 17,052 0.17
========================= =========================== ===========================================
In the case of the irrevocable undertakings given by Neville
Davis, Jack Reinelt and David Bailey, these irrevocable
undertakings:-
-- will continue to be binding in the event that a higher
competing offer is made for GoIndustry; and
-- will cease to be binding if (i) the Scheme Document is not
posted within 28 days of the date of this announcement (or such
later date as the Panel may agree), (ii) the Scheme does not become
effective (or Takeover Offer, as applicable, does not become wholly
unconditional) on or before the date being six months following the
date of this announcement, or (iii) the Scheme is withdrawn or
otherwise lapses.
In the case of the irrevocable undertaking given by Jasmine
Trustees Limited (the trustee of a trust of which Max Steinkopf is
the sole beneficiary), this irrevocable undertaking will cease to
be binding if (i) the Scheme Document is not posted within 28 days
of the date of this announcement (or such later date as the Panel
may agree), (ii) the Scheme does not become effective (or Takeover
Offer, as applicable, does not become wholly unconditional) on or
before the date being six months following the date of this
announcement, or (iii) the Scheme is withdrawn or otherwise lapses.
In addition, such undertaking will cease to be binding if, before
5.00 pm on the last Business Day before the Court Meeting, a third
party announces in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code, a firm
intention to make an offer (including, for this purpose, an
acquisition by means of a scheme of arrangement), which is not
subject to any pre-condition, to acquire all the issued and to be
issued share capital of GoIndustry (other than any shares already
owned by such third party and its associates) and which in the case
of an offer involving only cash consideration, for a cash
consideration which is at least 10 per cent. over the offer price
available under the Acquisition as at the date of such third party
announcement or in the case of an offer including or comprising
non-monetary consideration, for a consideration per share which
represents, in the reasonable opinion of RBC Capital Markets, at
least 10 per cent, over the value of the consideration available
under the Acquisition at the date of such third party
announcement.
2. Other undertakings
Liquidity Services and Liquidity Services UK have also received
irrevocable undertakings from certain other GoIndustry Shareholders
to vote (or procure the vote) in favour of the Scheme Resolutions
and the Ordinary Resolution to be proposed at the Shareholder
Meetings (and if the Acquisition is subsequently structured as a
Takeover Offer to accept any such offer made by GoIndustry) in
respect of their beneficial holdings, as set out below, being
GoIndustry Shares representing, in aggregate, approximately 56.38
per cent. of the existing issued share capital of GoIndustry:-
Number of GoIndustry Shares Percentage of existing issued share capital
============================================ =========================== ===========================================
ICG Holdings, Inc. 2,546,743 25.99
============================================ =========================== ===========================================
Bond Capital Partners 1 Limited 1,897,092 19.36
============================================ =========================== ===========================================
Atlas Venture Funds IV L.P. 1,067,232 10.89
============================================ =========================== ===========================================
Atlas Ventures Entrepreneurs' Fund IV, L.P. 13,292 0.14
============================================ =========================== ===========================================
The undertakings set out above will cease to be binding if (i)
the Scheme Document is not posted within 28 days of the date of
this announcement (or such later date as the Panel may agree), (ii)
the Scheme does not become effective (or Takeover Offer, as
applicable, does not become wholly unconditional) on or before the
date being six months following the date of this announcement, or
(iii) the Scheme is withdrawn or otherwise lapses. In addition,
such undertakings will cease to be binding if, before 5.00 pm on
the last Business Day before the Court Meeting, a third party
announces in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code, a firm intention
to make an offer (including, for this purpose, an acquisition by
means of a scheme of arrangement), which is not subject to any
pre-condition, to acquire all the issued and to be issued share
capital of GoIndustry (other than any shares already owned by such
third party and its associates) and which in the case of an offer
involving only cash consideration, for a cash consideration which
is at least 10 per cent. over the offer price available under the
Acquisition as at the date of such third party announcement or in
the case of an offer including or comprising non-monetary
consideration, for a consideration per share which represents, in
the reasonable opinion of RBC Capital Markets, at least 10 per
cent, over the value of the consideration available under the
Acquisition at the date of such third party announcement.
APPENDIX IV
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply throughout this announcement
unless the context requires otherwise:-
"Acquisition" the proposed acquisition by Liquidity Services UK of the entire
issued and to be issued ordinary
share capital of GoIndustry to be effected by means of the Scheme
(or, if Liquidity Services
UK elects so to do, as a Takeover Offer) subject to the terms and
conditions set out in this
announcement and to be set out in the Scheme Document including,
where the context permits,
any subsequent variation, revision, extension or renewal of
thereof;
"AIM" AIM, the market of that name operated by the London Stock
Exchange;
"Business Day" a day (other than a Saturday, Sunday, public holiday or bank
holiday) on which banks are generally
open for normal business in the City of London;
"Capital Reduction" the reduction of the share capital of GoIndustry under section 641
of the Companies Act by
the cancellation of the Scheme Shares to be effected as part of
the Scheme;
"Capital Reduction Court Hearing" the hearing by the Court to confirm the Capital Reduction;
"Capital Reduction Court Order" the order of the Court confirming the Capital Reduction under
section 648 of the Companies
Act;
"Cash Consideration" the cash consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition
of 73 pence per GoIndustry
Share;
"Closing Price" the closing middle market price of a GoIndustry Share at the close
of business, as derived
from the Daily Official List on the day to which such price
relates;
"Code" or "Takeover Code" the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers;
"Companies Act" the Companies Act 2006, as amended from time to time;
"Conditions" the conditions to the implementation of the Scheme and the
Acquisition, as set out in Appendix
I to this announcement (and "Condition" shall mean any of them);
"Convertible Loan Notes" the GBP500,000 unsecured 12 per cent. convertible loan notes due
2014 constituted pursuant
to the Loan Note Instrument;
"Court" the High Court of Justice in England and Wales;
"Court Meeting" the meeting of the Scheme Shareholders (and any adjournment
thereof) to be convened by order
of the Court pursuant to Part 26 of the Companies Act for the
purpose of considering and,
if thought fit, approving the Scheme (with or without amendment);
"Court Order(s)" the Scheme Sanction Court Order and the Capital Reduction Court
Order, or, where the context
requires, either of them;
"CREST" a relevant system (as defined in the Regulations) in respect of
which Euroclear is the operator
(as defined in the Regulations);
"Daily Official List" the Daily Official List as published by the London Stock Exchange;
"Dealing Disclosure" has the same meaning as in Rule 8 of the Code;
"Disclosed" the information disclosed in (i) the GoIndustry Preliminary 2011
Results Announcement on 9
May 2012; (ii) any public announcement by GoIndustry to a
Regulatory Information Service on
or before 5.00 p.m. on the Business Day prior to the date of this
announcement; or (iii) otherwise
disclosed in writing or in any document provided by or on behalf
of GoIndustry, or otherwise
made available, to Liquidity Services or Liquidity Services UK or
their respective advisers
in connection with the Acquisition on or before 5.00 p.m. on the
Business Day prior to the
date of this announcement;
"Enlarged Group" Liquidity Services and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and
its subsidiary undertakings
following completion of the Acquisition;
"Forms of Proxy" the forms of proxy to be enclosed with the Scheme Document for use
at the Court Meeting and
the General Meeting;
"FSA" or "Financial Services Authority" the Financial Services Authority in its capacity as the competent
authority for the purposes
of Part VI of FSMA;
"FSMA" the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended;
"General Meeting" the general meeting of GoIndustry Shareholders (and any
adjournment thereof) to be convened
in connection with the Scheme;
"GoIndustry" or the "Company" GoIndustry-DoveBid plc, a public limited company incorporated
under the laws of England and
Wales registered with company registration number 5381812 and
whose registered office is at
St Andrew's House, 18-20 St Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AG;
"GoIndustry AG" GoIndustry AG, a company incorporated under the laws of Germany
registered with business registration
number HRB 127487 (Amtsgericht Munchen) and whose address is
Ridlerstr. 33, 80339 Munich,
Germany;
"GoIndustry Board" the board of directors of GoIndustry;
"GoIndustry Directors" the directors of GoIndustry referred to in paragraph 8 of this
announcement;
"GoIndustry Group" GoIndustry and its subsidiary and associated undertakings from
time to time and, where the
context permits, each of them;
"GoIndustry, Inc." GoIndustry DoveBid, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the
laws of Maryland with company
registration number D00460584 and whose registered office is at
11425 Cronhill Drive, Owings
Mills, MD 21117, United States of America;
"GoIndustry Operations Limited" GoIndustry Operations Limited, a private limited company
incorporated under the laws of England
and Wales registered with company registration number 3853780 and
whose registered office
is at St. Andrew's House, 18-20 St. Andrew Street, London EC4A
3AG;
"GoIndustry Option Holders" the holders of Share Options under the GoIndustry Share Schemes;
"GoIndustry (Osterreich) GmbH" GoIndustry (Osterreich) GmbH, a company incorporated under the
laws of Austria registered
with business registration number FN 186870i (Landgericht Wr.
Neustadt) and whose address
is Fischerstr. 74, A-2331 Vosendorf, Austria;
"GoIndustry Preliminary 2011 Results Announcement" the announcement by GoIndustry on 9 May 2012 of the audited
results of GoIndustry for the
financial year ended 31 December 2011;
"GoIndustry Share Schemes" the:-
(i) individual unapproved option agreements entered into by the
Company with various individuals
in 2006 (shortly after the Company's acquisition of GoIndustry AG)
pursuant to which the Company
granted such individuals options to subscribe for GoIndustry
Shares in consideration of the
release of all of their options over shares in GoIndustry AG;
(ii) GoIndustry 2007 Executive Scheme; and
(iii) GoIndustry 2009 Unapproved Share Option Plan;
"GoIndustry Shareholders" or "Shareholders" the holders of GoIndustry Shares (and "GoIndustry Shareholder"
shall be construed accordingly);
"GoIndustry Shares" or "Shares" the ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the capital of GoIndustry;
"GoIndustry (UK) Limited" GoIndustry (UK) Limited, a private limited company incorporated
under the laws of England
and Wales registered with company registration number 4092016 and
whose registered office
is at St. Andrew's House, 18-20 St. Andrew Street, London EC4A
3AG;
"Liquidity Services" Liquidity Services, Inc., a public corporation incorporated under
the laws of Delaware, USA
whose registered office is at 1920 L Street, N.W., 6(th) Floor,
Washington, D.C.;
"Liquidity Services Board" the board of directors of Liquidity Services;
"Liquidity Services Directors" the directors of Liquidity Services referred to in paragraph 9 of
this announcement;
"Liquidity Services Group" Liquidity Services and its subsidiary and associated undertakings
from time to time and, where
the context permits, each of them (including, for the avoidance of
any doubt, Liquidity Services
UK);
"Liquidity Services Sub" Middlebrook Acquisition Partners, LLC, a limited liability company
formed in the State of
Delaware, United States of America, whose registered office is at
Corporation Trust Centre,
1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19081;
"Liquidity Services UK" Liquidity Services Limited, a private limited company incorporated
under the laws of England
and Wales, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Liquidity
Services, with company registration
number 04843035 and whose registered office is at Unit 301A, Mill
Studio Business Centre,
Crane Mead, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9PY;
"Liquidity Services UK Board" the board of directors of Liquidity Services UK;
"Liquidity Services UK Directors" the directors of Liquidity Services UK referred to in paragraph 9
of this announcement;
"Listing Rules" the listing rules of the UK Listing Authority;
"Loan Note Instrument" a convertible loan note instrument, dated 15 December 2008 (as
amended on 10 September 2009
and on 22 December 2011), pursuant to which GoIndustry constituted
the Convertible Loan Notes;
"London Stock Exchange" London Stock Exchange plc;
"Long Stop Date" 31 August 2012;
"Meetings" the Court Meeting and the General Meeting, each a "Meeting";
"NASDAQ" the NASDAQ Stock Market;
"Offer Period" the 'offer period' (as defined by the Code) relating to
GoIndustry, which commenced on 1 May
2012;
"Offer Price" 73 pence per Scheme Share;
"Opening Position Disclosure" has the same meaning as in Rule 8 of the Code;
"Ordinary Resolution" the ordinary resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting to
approve the UK Share Sale
Agreement and the US Assets Sale Agreement;
"Overseas Shareholders" Scheme Shareholders who are resident in, or citizens of, a
jurisdiction outside the UK;
"Panel" or "Takeover Panel" the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers;
"RBC Capital Markets" RBC Europe Limited, trading as RBC Capital Markets;
"Registrar of Companies" the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales;
"Regulations" the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3755),
as amended from time to
time;
"Regulatory Information Service" any of the services set out in Appendix 3 to the Listing Rules;
"Restricted Jurisdiction" any such jurisdiction where local laws or regulations may result
in significant risk of civil,
regulatory or criminal exposure if information concerning the
Acquisition is sent or made
available to GoIndustry Shareholders in that jurisdiction (in
accordance with Rule 23.2 of
the Code);
"Scheme" the proposed scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies
Act to effect the Acquisition
between GoIndustry and Scheme Shareholders (the full terms of
which will be set out in the
Scheme Document), with or subject to any modification, addition or
condition which GoIndustry
and Liquidity Services UK may agree and, if required, the Court
may approve or impose;
"Scheme Court Hearing" the hearing by the Court to sanction the Scheme;
"Scheme Document" the document to be addressed to GoIndustry Shareholders
containing, amongst other things,
the terms and conditions of the Scheme, certain information about
GoIndustry, Liquidity Services
and Liquidity Services UK, the notices convening the Shareholder
Meetings, an explanatory
statement in compliance with section 897 of the Companies Act and
such other particulars as
required by Part 26 of the Companies Act;
"Scheme Effective Date" the date on which the Scheme becomes effective;
"Scheme Record Time" 6.00 p.m. on the Business Day immediately preceding the date on
which the Capital Reduction
Court Order is made;
"Scheme Resolutions" the resolution to be proposed at the Court Meeting and the Special
Resolution to be proposed
at the General Meeting;
"Scheme Sanction Court Order" the order of the Court sanctioning the Scheme under Part 26 of the
Companies Act;
"Scheme Shareholders" the holders of Scheme Shares (and "Scheme Shareholder" shall be
construed accordingly);
"Scheme Shares" the GoIndustry Shares:-
(a) in issue at the date of the Scheme Document;
(b) issued after the date of the Scheme Document and prior to the
Voting Record Time; and
(c) issued at or after the Voting Record Time and at or before the
Scheme Record Time in respect
of which the original or any subsequent holders thereof are, or
shall have agreed in writing
to be, bound by the Scheme,
in each case other than any GoIndustry Shares registered in the
name of, or beneficially owned
by, Liquidity Services UK or any member of the Liquidity Services
Group;
"Shareholder Meetings" the General Meeting and the Court Meeting (and "Shareholder
Meeting" shall be construed accordingly);
"Share Options" options granted pursuant to the GoIndustry Share Schemes;
"Special Resolution" the special resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting in
connection with, amongst other
things, the approval/implementation of the Scheme;
"Statement of Capital" the statement of capital in relation to the Capital Reduction
required to be sent to the Registrar
of Companies in accordance with section 649 of the Companies Act;
"Substantial Interest" in relation to an undertaking, a direct or indirect interest of 10
per cent, or more of the
total voting rights conferred by the equity share capital (as
defined in section 548 of the
Companies Act) of such undertaking;
"Takeover Offer" the implementation of the Acquisition by way of a takeover offer
(as that term is defined
in section 974 of the Companies Act) under the Code;
"UK" or "United Kingdom" the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
"UK Share Sale Agreement" the conditional agreement dated 9 May 2012 entered into between
Liquidity Services UK (1)
GoIndustry AG (2) and Liquidity Services (3) for the sale to
Liquidity Services UK of the
entire issued share capitals of GoIndustry (UK) Limited,
GoIndustry Operations Limited and
GoIndustry (Osterreich) GmbH;
"UKLA" or "UK Listing Authority" the UK Listing Authority, being the FSA acting as competent
authority for the purposes of
Part VI of the FSMA;
"United States" or "US" the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any
state of the United States
of America and the District of Columbia;
"US Assets Sale Agreement" the conditional agreement dated 9 May 2012 entered into between
Liquidity Services Sub (1)
GoIndustry, Inc. (2) and Liquidity Services (3) for the sale to
Liquidity Services Sub of
the assets and liabilities of GoIndustry, Inc.;
"Voting Record Time" the date and time to be specified in the Scheme Document by
reference to which entitlements
to vote at the Court Meeting will be determined, expected to be
6.00 p.m. on the day which
is two days before the date of the Court Meeting or, if the Court
Meeting is adjourned, 6.00
p.m. on the day which is two days before the date of such
adjourned meeting;
"WH Ireland" WH Ireland Limited, a private limited company incorporated in
England and Wales with registered
number 2002044 and authorised and registered with the Financial
Services Authority, being
the independent financial adviser, nominated adviser (for the
purposes of the AIM Rules) and
broker to GoIndustry; and
"Wider Liquidity Services UK Group" Liquidity Services, its subsidiary undertakings, associated
undertakings and any other undertakings
in which Liquidity Services and such undertakings (aggregating
their interests) have a Substantial
Interest (including, for the avoidance of any doubt, Liquidity
Services UK).
In this announcement, "subsidiary", "subsidiary undertaking",
"parent undertaking", "undertaking" and "associated undertaking"
have the respective meanings given thereto by the Companies Act,
but for this purpose ignoring paragraph 20(l)(b) of Schedule 4A of
the Companies Act 1985.
All the times referred to in this announcement are London times
unless otherwise stated.
All references to "pound", "pounds sterling", "GBP", "pence" and
"p" are to the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.
All references to "US$", "$", and "US dollars" are to the lawful
currency of the United States.
References to the singular include the plural and vice
versa.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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