REG - Wincanton PLC GXO Logistics, Inc. GXO Logistics - GXO - Response to cash offer by GXO Logistics, Inc.

WincantonAnnouncement

01/03/2024 07:00

For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
http://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20240301:nRSA0671Fa&default-theme=true

RNS Number : 0671F  Wincanton PLC  01 March 2024

 

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            1 March 2024

 

 

WINCANTON PLC ("WINCANTON")

Response to cash offer for Wincanton by GXO Logistics, Inc.

 

The Wincanton Directors welcome yesterday's announcement by GXO Logistics,
Inc. ("GXO") of its firm intention to make a cash offer for the entire issued
and to be issued ordinary share capital of Wincanton (the "GXO Offer"), for an
offer price of 605 pence for each Wincanton Share (the "GXO Rule 2.7
Announcement"), which follows Wincanton's announcement, on 26 February 2024,
of a possible offer by GXO.

The Wincanton Directors are pleased that the public offer process, triggered
by their recommendation of CEVA Bidco's offer on 19 January 2024, is
maximising value and delivering a significant premium to Wincanton
Shareholders.

Accordingly, the Wincanton Directors intend to recommend unanimously the GXO
Offer and, accordingly, have withdrawn their recommendation of the increased
and final* cash offer by CEVA Logistics UK Rose Limited ("CEVA Bidco") (a
wholly-owned subsidiary of CEVA Logistics S.A., itself a subsidiary of CMA CGM
S.A.), at an offer price of 480 pence for each Wincanton Share, announced on
26 February 2024 (the "CMA CGM Revised Offer").

The Wincanton Directors note that under the terms of the GXO Offer, Wincanton
Shareholders will be entitled to receive:

605 pence in cash for each Wincanton Share (the "GXO Offer Price")

The GXO Offer Price represents a premium of approximately:

·     104 per cent. to the closing price of 297 pence per Wincanton
Share on 18 January 2024 (being the last Business Day before the commencement
of the Offer Period);

·     115 per cent. to the volume-weighted average price per Wincanton
Share of 282 pence over the ninety (90) Business Day period ended on 18
January 2024 (being the last Business Day before the commencement of the Offer
Period);

·     145 per cent. to the volume-weighted average price per Wincanton
Share of 247 pence over the twelve-month period ended on 18 January 2024
(being the last Business Day before the commencement of the Offer Period); and

·      29 per cent. to the all-time high share price of 470 pence per
Wincanton Share for the period ended on 18 January 2024 (being the last
Business Day before the commencement of the Offer Period).

The GXO Offer values the entire existing issued and to be issued share capital
of Wincanton at approximately £762 million on a fully diluted basis and at an
enterprise value of approximately £960 million (IFRS16 basis).

The Wincanton Directors note that GXO reserves the right to elect, with the
consent of the Panel, to implement the acquisition of the Wincanton Shares by
way of a Scheme rather than by means of a takeover offer as defined in Part 28
of the Companies Act. The Wincanton Directors have indicated an intention to
support GXO to implement the acquisition by way of a Scheme in the event that
GXO elects to do so (with the consent of the Panel).

The Wincanton Directors note that it is currently expected that the Offer
Document (or Scheme Document) will be published as soon as reasonably
practicable and, in any event, within 28 days of the GXO Rule 2.7 Announcement
and that, subject to the satisfaction or, where applicable, waiver of all
relevant Conditions and the further terms set out in Appendix 1 to the GXO
Rule 2.7 Announcement and to be set out in the Offer Document (or Scheme
Document), the GXO Offer is expected to become Effective in mid-Q2 2024.

This announcement is not a substitution for reading the GXO Rule 2.7
Announcement in full and Wincanton Shareholders should refer to the GXO Rule
2.7 Announcement for full details of the GXO Offer. Capitalised terms used but
not defined in this announcement have the same meanings as given to them in
the GXO Rule 2.7 Announcement.

Commenting on the GXO Offer, Sir Martin Read CBE, Chairman of Wincanton, said:

"We have long been clear that Wincanton is a great business with a compelling
strategy, strong customer relationships and excellent people. Under the
current management team, we have made positive progress and ensured that
Wincanton is at the forefront of logistics innovation. The Board of Wincanton
is pleased that GXO recognises the very significant value inherent in this
business and intends to recommend the offer to shareholders for their
consideration."

 

(*) except that CEVA Bidco reserved the right to increase the offer price
and/or otherwise improve the terms of the Revised CMA CGM Offer if (i) there
is an announcement on or after 26 February 2024 of a possible offer or a firm
intention to make an offer for Wincanton by any third party or (ii) the Panel
otherwise provides its consent. In light of the GXO Offer, in accordance with
Rule 32.2 of the Code, CEVA Bidco has a maximum of four business days from 29
February 2024 to set aside its no increase statement.

 

Enquiries

 Wincanton                                                                   +44 12 4971 0000

 James Wroath, Chief Executive Officer

 Tom Hinton, Chief Financial Officer

 HSBC (Lead Financial Adviser, Rule 3 Adviser and Joint Corporate Broker to  +44 20 7991 8888
 Wincanton)

 Anthony Parsons

 Christopher Fincken

 Charles-Antoine de Chatillon

 Joe Weaving

 Deutsche Numis (Joint Financial Adviser and Joint Corporate Broker to       +44 20 7260 1000
 Wincanton)

 Mark Lander

 George Price

 Stuart Ord

 UBS (Joint Financial Adviser to Wincanton)                                  +44 20 7567 8000

 Sandip Dhillon

 Arnould Fremy

 Hew Glyn Davies

 Headland (PR Adviser to Wincanton)                                          +44 20 3805 4822

 Susanna Voyle

 Henry Wallers

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is acting as legal adviser to Wincanton.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

HSBC Bank plc ("HSBC"), which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation
Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct
Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting as financial
adviser to Wincanton and no one else in connection with the matters described
in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than
Wincanton for providing the protections afforded to clients of HSBC, or for
providing advice in connection with the matters referred to herein. Neither
HSBC nor any of its group undertakings or affiliates owes or accepts any duty,
liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in
contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a
client of HSBC in connection with this announcement or any matter referred to
herein.

Numis Securities Limited (trading for these purposes as Deutsche Numis)
("Deutsche Numis"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by
the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as exclusively for Wincanton and no
one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and
will not be responsible to anyone other than Wincanton for providing the
protections afforded to clients of Deutsche Numis, or for providing advice in
connection with the matters referred to herein. Neither Deutsche Numis nor any
of its group undertakings or affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or
responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in
tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of
Deutsche Numis in connection with this announcement or any matter referred to
herein.

UBS AG London Branch ("UBS") is authorised and regulated by the Financial
Market Supervisory Authority in Switzerland. It is authorised by the
Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to regulation by the Financial
Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation
Authority in the United Kingdom. UBS is acting exclusively as financial
adviser to Wincanton and no one else in connection with the matters described
in this announcement. In connection with such matters, UBS, its affiliates and
their respective directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any
other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to any other person
for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for providing
advice in relation to this announcement or any matter referred to herein.

Further information

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

The GXO Offer will be made solely by means of the Offer Document and (in
respect of Wincanton Shares held in certificated form) the acceptance forms
accompanying the Offer Document (or, if the GXO Offer is effected by way of a
Scheme, the Scheme Document and its related documentation) which will,
together, contain the full terms and conditions of the proposed acquisition by
GXO including details of how it may be accepted.

Wincanton Shareholders are advised to read the formal documentation in
relation to the GXO Offer carefully, when dispatched.

This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English
law, the Code, the Market Abuse Regulation and the Disclosure Guidance and
Transparency Rules 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 other jurisdictions.

Each Wincanton Shareholder is advised to consult their independent
professional adviser regarding the tax consequences to them (or to their
beneficial owners) of the GXO Offer.

This announcement does not constitute a prospectus, prospectus equivalent
document or exempted document.

If you are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement or the action
you should take, you are recommended to seek your own independent financial
advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant
or independent financial adviser duly authorised under FSMA if you are
resident in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately
authorised independent financial adviser.

Overseas Shareholders

The availability of an offer to Wincanton Shareholders who are not resident in
and citizens of the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant
jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are citizens. Persons
who are not resident in the United Kingdom should inform themselves of, and
observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their
jurisdictions.

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into
jurisdictions other than the UK may be restricted by law and therefore any
persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom or who are subject to the
law of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom should inform themselves
about, and observe, any applicable requirements. Any failure to comply with
the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws
of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
the companies and persons involved in any offer disclaim any responsibility or
liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person.

Unless otherwise determined, any offer will not be made, directly or
indirectly, in, into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would violate the
laws in that jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and formal
documentation relating to any offer will not be, and must not be, mailed or
otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any jurisdiction
where to do so would violate the laws of that jurisdiction.

Forward-looking statements

This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this
announcement), oral statements made regarding any offers and other information
published by Wincanton may contain statements about Wincanton that are, or may
be, forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the current
expectations of the management of Wincanton and are naturally subject to
uncertainty and changes in circumstances which could cause actual results to
differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements. All statements, including the expected timing and
scope of any offer, other than statements of historical facts included in this
announcement, may be forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any
statements preceded or followed by or that include the words "targets",
"plans", "believes", "expects", "aims", "intends", "will", "may", "should",
"would", "could", "anticipates", "estimates", "projects", "strategy" or words
or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof are forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements may 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 Wincanton's operations and potential synergies
resulting from any offer; and (iii) the effects of global economic conditions
and government regulation on Wincanton's businesses.

Although Wincanton believe that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations are not
guarantees of future performance. By their nature, because they relate to
events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future, such
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key
assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results and developments to
differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking
statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the satisfaction of
the conditions to any offer, as well as additional factors, such as changes in
political and economic conditions, changes in the level of capital investment,
retention of key employees, changes in customer habits, success of business
and operating initiatives and restructuring objectives, impact of any
acquisitions or similar transactions, changes in clients' strategies and
stability, competitive product and pricing measures, changes in the regulatory
environment, fluctuations or interest and exchange rates and the outcome of
any litigation. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in the 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
hereof) and no member of the Wincanton group (nor any of their respective
directors, officers, employees or advisers) provides any representation,
assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied
by the forward-looking statements will actually occur. Further, other than in
accordance with their legal and regulatory obligations, each member of the
Wincanton group disclaims any obligation to update publicly or revise any
forward-looking or other statements contained herein, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable
law.

All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to any
member of the Wincanton group, or any of their respective directors, officers,
employees or advisers, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the
cautionary statement above.

No profit forecasts, profit estimates or quantified benefits statements

No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast, profit
estimate or quantified benefits statement for any period and no statement in
this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per
share for Wincanton for the current or future financial years would
necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per
share for Wincanton.

Dealing and Opening Position Disclosure Requirements of the Code

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of
any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities
exchange 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 securities
exchange 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 securities exchange 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 10th business day following the commencement of the offer
period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th
business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange
offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant
securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange 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 1%
or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any
securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals
in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities
exchange 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 securities exchange offeror(s), 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 securities exchange 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, (https://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.

Information relating to Wincanton Shareholders

Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other
information provided by Wincanton Shareholders, persons with information
rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of communications from
Wincanton may be provided to an offeror during the Offer Period as required
under Section 4 of Appendix 4 to the Code to comply with Rule 2.11(c) of the
Code.

Publication on website and hard copies

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Code, this announcement will be made
available free of charge, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons
resident in restricted jurisdictions, on Wincanton's website at
https://www.wincanton.co.uk/investors/
(https://www.wincanton.co.uk/investors/) by no later than 12.00 p.m. (London
time) on the Business Day following the date of this announcement.

Neither the content of any website referred to in this announcement nor the
content of any website accessible from hyperlinks is incorporated into, or
forms part of, this announcement.

In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Code, Wincanton Shareholders, persons with
information rights and participants in the Wincanton Share Plans may request a
hard copy of this announcement by contacting Equiniti during business hours on
+44 (0)371 384 2288 or by submitting a request in writing to Equiniti at
Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN99 6DA, United Kingdom.
Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable
international rate. The helpline is open between 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
(London time), Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in England and
Wales. Please note that Equiniti cannot provide any financial, legal or tax
advice and calls may be recorded and monitored for security and training
purposes. Wincanton Shareholders may also request that all future documents,
announcements and information to be sent to them in relation to the
Acquisition should be in hard copy form. If a Wincanton Shareholder has
received this announcement in electronic form, hard copies of this
announcement and any document or information incorporated by reference into
this announcement will not be provided unless such a request is made.

Rounding

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

 

Appendix

SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND BASES OF CALCULATION

 

In this announcement, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise
requires, the following sources and bases have been used:

 

1.         Any references to the issued and to be issued share capital of Wincanton are based on:
(a)        124,543,670 Wincanton Shares in issue on 26 February 2024; plus
(b)       1,434,908 Wincanton Shares which are expected to be issued following the exercise and/or vesting of Wincanton Share Awards assuming the GXO Offer becomes Effective prior to the Long-Stop Date net of shares held in the Wincanton Employee Benefit Trust;
2.         the value of the GXO Offer of £762 million is based on the GXO Offer Price of 605 pence per Wincanton Share and is calculated on the basis of the issued and to be issued share capital of Wincanton (as set out in paragraph 1 of this appendix);
3.         the enterprise value of £960 million (on an IFRS 16 basis) is calculated by reference to the value of the Acquisition referenced in paragraph 2 of this appendix less cash of £20.6 million as at 30 September 2023, plus gross debt of £5 million and lease liabilities of £213.6 million as at 30 September 2023;
4.         unless otherwise stated, financial information relating to Wincanton has been extracted without material adjustment from the audited consolidated financial statements of Wincanton for the financial year ended on 31 March 2023 and from the announcement of Wincanton's half year results for the six-month period ended on 30 September 2023;
5.         The closing prices are the closing middle market prices of a Wincanton Share on a particular trading day, as derived from Bloomberg data for the purpose of calculations of the volume-weighted average price.

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

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
.   END  RSPEAAANAELLEAA