REG - Wincanton PLC - Rule 2.9 Announcement & Total Voting Rights

WincantonAnnouncement

26/04/2024 14:45

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RNS Number : 2677M  Wincanton PLC  26 April 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 THAT JURISDICTION

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

26 April 2024

LEI 213800Z5WTW8QKOHWQ82

 

 

WINCANTON PLC

("Wincanton" or the "Company")

 

 

Rule 2.9 Announcement

and

Total Voting Rights

 

In accordance with Rule 2.9 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, and
further to the announcement made on 23 April 2024 regarding the issue of
1,437,048 ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the Company ("Ordinary Shares"),
Wincanton confirms that, as at close of business today, its issued share
capital consists of 125,980,718 Ordinary Shares.

 

The Ordinary shares are admitted to trading on the Main Market of the London
Stock Exchange with the International Securities Identification Number (ISIN)
GB0030329360.

 

In accordance with Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule 5.6.1., the
Company confirms that the total number of voting rights attributable to its
issued share capital is 125,980,718. This figure may be used by shareholders
as the denominator for the calculations by which they determine if they are
required to notify their interest in, or any change in their interest in the
Company, under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

 

Wincanton does not hold any shares in Treasury.

 

Capitalised terms used in this Announcement which have not been defined have
the meanings given to them in the Scheme Document published by the Company on
14 March 2024.

 

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

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 other 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 the
Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any purchase, sale, issuance,
transfer or exchange of securities of Wincanton or such solicitation in any
jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The Acquisition is being made
solely by means of the Scheme Document.

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.

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 release, publication or distribution of this Announcement in certain
jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who are not resident in the
United Kingdom or who are subject to the laws of other jurisdictions should
inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable requirements. Further
details in relation to Overseas Shareholders are contained in the Scheme
Document. 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 the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation
of such restrictions by any person.

The Acquisition relates to shares of an English company and is proposed to be
effected by means of a scheme of arrangement under the laws of England and
Wales. Neither the US proxy solicitation rules nor the tender offer rules
under the US Exchange Act apply to the Acquisition. Accordingly, the
Acquisition is subject to the disclosure requirements, rules and practices
applicable in the United Kingdom to schemes of arrangement, which differ from
the requirements of US proxy solicitation or tender offer rules. However, if
GXO were to elect to implement the Acquisition by means of a Takeover Offer,
such Takeover Offer would be made in compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations, including Section 14(e) of the US Exchange Act and Regulation 14E
thereunder. Such a Takeover Offer would be made in the United States by GXO
and no one else. In addition to any such Takeover Offer, GXO, certain
affiliated companies and the nominees or brokers (acting as agents) of GXO may
make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, shares in Wincanton
outside such Takeover Offer during the period in which such Takeover Offer
would remain open for acceptance. If such purchases or arrangements to
purchase were to be made, they would be made outside the United States and
would comply with applicable law, including the US Exchange Act.

None of the securities referred to in this Announcement have been approved or
disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities
commission in the United States or any other US regulatory authority, nor have
such authorities passed upon or determined the adequacy or accuracy of the
information contained in this Announcement. Any representation to the contrary
is a criminal offence in the United States.

Wincanton's financial statements, and all financial information that may be
included in the Scheme Document, have been prepared in accordance with
accounting standards applicable in the United Kingdom and may not be
comparable to financial statements of companies in the United States or other
companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States.

It may be difficult for United States holders of Wincanton Shares to enforce
their rights and any claim arising out of the United States federal laws,
since Wincanton is located in a non-United States jurisdiction, and some or
all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-United States
jurisdiction. United States holders of Wincanton Shares may not be able to sue
a non-United States company or its officers or directors in a non-United
States court for violations of the United States securities laws. Further, it
may be difficult to compel a non-United States company and its affiliates to
subject themselves to a United States court's judgement.

Unless otherwise determined by GXO or required by the Code and permitted by
applicable law and regulation, the Acquisition is not being 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, or
procure the vote, in favour of the Scheme and the Acquisition by any such use,
means, instrumentality or from within a Restricted Jurisdiction or any other
jurisdiction if to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that
jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this Announcement and all documents
relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or
indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or
from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that
jurisdiction, and persons receiving this Announcement and all documents
relating to the Acquisition (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must
observe these restrictions and must not mail or otherwise distribute or send
them in, into or from such jurisdictions where to do so would violate the laws
in that jurisdiction. If the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover
Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the
Takeover Offer may not be made directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the
use of mails or any means or 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 Restricted Jurisdiction and the Takeover
Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality
or facilities.

The availability of the Acquisition to Wincanton 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. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in
the United Kingdom to vote their Wincanton Shares with respect to the Scheme
at the Meetings, or to appoint another person as proxy to vote at the Meetings
on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in
which they are located.

The Acquisition is subject to the applicable requirements of the Code, the
Panel, and the London Stock Exchange.

If GXO were to elect to implement the Acquisition by means of a Takeover Offer
and it was determined that Rule 14e-5 of the US Exchange Act applied to the
Takeover Offer, then in accordance with normal UK practice and pursuant to
Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, GXO or its nominees, or its brokers
(acting as agents), may from time to time make certain purchases of, or
arrangements to purchase, Wincanton Shares outside the United States, other
than pursuant to the GXO proposal, before or during the period in which the
GXO proposal, if made, remains open for acceptance. Also, in such
circumstances, in accordance with Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act,
Rothschild & Co, BofA Securities, HSBC, Deutsche Numis and UBS and their
respective affiliates may continue to act as exempt principal traders in
Wincanton securities on the London Stock Exchange. 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, will be reported to a Regulatory Information
Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website,
www.londonstockexchange.com.

Dealing and Opening Position Disclosure Requirements of the Code

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1 per cent. 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 p.m. (London time) on the 10th
Business Day following the commencement of the Offer Period and, if
appropriate, by no later than 3.30 p.m. (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
per cent. 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 p.m. (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 of the Code.

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 of the Code).

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 Panel's website at
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, (about:blank) 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.

Publication on website and hard copies

A copy of this Announcement and the documents required to be published
pursuant to Rule 26 of the Code will be 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.

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 2050 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. 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.

 

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