Ahold and Delhaize announce intention to merge
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
* Ahold and Delhaize announce this morning their intention to combine their
businesses through a merger of equals
* The merger will create a complementary base of more than 6,500 stores with
375,000 associates, characterized by trusted brands with strong local
identities
* The combination, Ahold Delhaize, will be able to serve over 50 million(1)
customers per week in the United States and in Europe
* Ahold Delhaize will accelerate innovation, bringing together both companies'
expertise to deliver increased value and choice for customers across its
supermarket formats and online platforms
* The combination will bring together banners offering associates even better
places to work, built on similar values and heritage
* Mats Jansson, Chairman of Delhaize Group, will become Chairman of Ahold
Delhaize. Jan Hommen, Chairman of Royal Ahold, and Jacques de Vaucleroy,
Delhaize Group Director, will become Vice Chairmen of Ahold Delhaize
* Dick Boer, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Ahold, will become Chief
Executive Officer. Frans Muller, Chief Executive Officer of Delhaize Group,
will become Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Integration Officer
* The transaction will create significant value, with anticipated run-rate
synergies of ?500 million per year to be fully realized in the third year
after completion
* Both companies are highly cash generative which will allow Ahold Delhaize to
invest in future growth and deliver attractive returns to shareholders
* Ahold and Delhaize businesses reported aggregated net sales of ?54.1
billion, adjusted EBITDA of ?3.5 billion, net income from continued
operations of ?1.0 billion and free cash flow of ?1.8 billion in 2014(1)
* Ahold will terminate its ongoing share buyback program; ?1 billion will be
returned to Ahold shareholders via a capital return and a reverse stock
split prior to completion of the transaction
* At completion, Delhaize shareholders will receive 4.75 Ahold ordinary shares
for each Delhaize ordinary share. Ahold shareholders will own c. 61% of the
combined company's equity and Delhaize shareholders will own c. 39% of the
combined company's equity
* The transaction is expected to be completed mid-2016, following regulatory
clearances, associated consultation procedures and shareholder approval
* The Executive Committee and Board of Directors of Delhaize as well as
Management and Supervisory Boards of Ahold unanimously support and recommend
the transaction
Brussels, Belgium and Zaandam, the Netherlands - June 24, 2015 - Leading
international food retailers Delhaize Group (Delhaize) and Koninklijke Ahold
N.V. (Ahold) today announced that they have entered into an agreement to merge.
The combined company, which will be named Ahold Delhaize, will have a portfolio
of strong, trusted local brands with more than 375,000 associates serving more
than 50 million customers every week in the United States and Europe. The
company will have enhanced scale across regions, market-leading retail offerings
to serve customers' changing needs, and a strong financial profile from which to
fund innovation and investments in future growth. Ahold Delhaize will capitalize
on the strong heritage and values of both companies, as well as complementary
cultures, neighboring geographies, and the impact of combining successful
sustainability programs.
Jan Hommen, Chairman of Ahold, and Mats Jansson, Chairman of Delhaize, said:
"This is a true merger of equals, combining two highly complementary businesses
to create a world-leading food retailer. The transaction delivers a compelling
value proposition for our shareholders, a superior offering for our customers
and attractive opportunities for our associates."
Frans Muller, CEO of Delhaize, said: "We believe that the proposed merger of
Ahold and Delhaize will create significant value for all our stakeholders.
Supported by our talented and committed associates, Ahold Delhaize aims to
increase relevance in its local communities by improving the value proposition
for its customers through assortment innovation and merchandising, a better
shopping experience both in stores and online, investments in value, and new
store growth. We look forward to working closely with the Ahold team to
implement a smooth integration process and realize the targeted synergies."
Dick Boer, CEO of Ahold, said: "The proposed merger with Delhaize is an exciting
opportunity to create an even stronger and more innovative retail leader for our
customers, associates and shareholders worldwide. With extraordinary reach,
diverse products and formats, and great people, we are bringing together two
world-class organizations to deliver even more for the communities we serve. Our
companies share common values, proud histories rooted in family
entrepreneurship, and businesses that complement each other well. We look
forward to working together to reach new levels of service and success."
(1) These figures are an aggregation of the reported data of Ahold and Delhaize
without any pro forma adjustments. They exclude joint ventures in Portugal and
Indonesia.
Full press release attached as pdf to this message.
Transaction website
Please visit www.adcombined.com for additional material on today's announcement.
Ahold Delhaize press release:
http://hugin.info/130711/R/1930922/694134.pdf
This announcement is distributed by GlobeNewswire on behalf of
GlobeNewswire clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Ahold via GlobeNewswire
[HUG#1930922]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 24.06.2015 - 07:45 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
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