REG - AO World plc - Rule 19.6(b)

AO WorldAnnouncement

30/05/2025 18:30

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RNS Number : 8869K  AO World plc  30 May 2025

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

THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE
19.6(B) OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "CODE").

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

30 May 2025

AO LTD

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of AO World PLC)

Rule 19.6(b) update to post-offer intention statements with regard to
musicMagpie PLC

AO Ltd ("AO") announces further to the completion of its recommended cash
acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of musicMagpie
PLC (now musicMagpie Limited) ("musicMagpie"), which was implemented by way of
a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006 and which
became effective on 12 December 2024 (the "Acquisition"), an update to the
statements of intentions made pursuant to Rules 2.7(c)(viii) and 24.2(a)(ii)
to (iii) of the Code (the "Stated Intentions"), as set out in the announcement
issued on 2 October 2024 (the "2.7 Announcement") and the scheme document
published on 28 October 2024 (the "Scheme Document") (together, the "Offer
Documentation").

Capitalised terms not otherwise defined in this announcement shall have the
meanings given to them in the Scheme Document.

Stated Intentions

The Offer Documentation stated that, following completion of the Acquisition,
AO intended to work with musicMagpie's management team to undertake an
evaluation of musicMagpie's operations in order to improve its financial
performance. The Offer Documentation highlighted that the scope of the
evaluation was likely to include inter alia a review of: (i) strategic
opportunities for musicMagpie's US operation; and (ii) the roles and
responsibilities of musicMagpie's management and employees.

The Offer Documentation also stated that AO did not intend to make any
material reduction to the headcount (excluding any headcount reduction
programmes initiated by musicMagpie prior to the Effective Date) and that it
did not intend to change the locations of musicMagpie's places of business.

Update to Stated Intentions

During the course of the evaluation noted above, AO identified certain matters
which have caused it to update its Stated Intentions. Accordingly, and
reflecting a drive for cost-rationalisation already underway by musicMagpie's
management team prior to completion of the Acquisition, AO now intends to:

a)   close the musicMagpie US operation, resulting in 46 US-based colleagues
leaving the business (11% of musicMagpie workforce); and

b)   close musicMagpie's site in Macclesfield which is currently used for
the storage and outward distribution of books, and consolidate that operation
into musicMagpie's wider tech and disc media operation at Hazel Grove,
Stockport. It is expected that 13 colleagues would become redundant following
a site closure (3% of the musicMagpie workforce), and 4 would transfer to work
at the Hazel Grove site (which is 8 miles away).

None of these proposals impact AO's fundamental rationale for the Acquisition
and the board of directors of AO World plc remains positive as to the future
outlook of musicMagpie within the enlarged AO World plc group.

Enquiries:

 AO
 Mark Higgins, Group CFO & COO      +44 (0)1204 672400

 

 Jefferies International Limited (Financial Adviser and Corporate Broker to AO)  +44 (0)20 7029 8000
 Philip Noblet

 Thomas Bective

 

 Sodali (PR Adviser to AO)  +44 (0)20 7250 1446

 Rob Greening               ao@sodali.com

 

Cautionary statement

This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements (including
beliefs or opinions) with respect to the operations, performance and financial
condition of the Group. These statements are made in good faith and are based
on current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions about future
events. By their nature, future events and circumstances can cause results and
developments to differ materially from those anticipated. Except as is
required by the Listing Rules, Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and
applicable laws, no undertaking is given to update the forward-looking
statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Nothing in this document should be construed as a
profit forecast or an invitation to deal in the securities of the Company.

 

 

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