Haier Intends to Continue Negotiations with Purmo Board to Make it Fully Appreciate the Merits of Haier's Superior Offer

Haier Europe Appliances Holding B.V., Press Release, July 25, 2024, 9.00 a.m. EET

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THIS TENDER OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

HELSINKI, July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As previously announced, Haier Europe Appliances Holding B.V. ("Haier" or the "Offeror") has made a voluntary public cash tender offer for all the issued and outstanding class C shares (the "Class C Shares") and all the issued and outstanding class F shares (the "Class F Shares," and, together with the Class C Shares, the "Shares" or, individually, a "Share") in Purmo Group Plc ("Purmo" or the "Company") that are not held by Purmo or any of its subsidiaries (the "Tender Offer") at a price of EUR 13.59 per share for each Class C Share and each Class F Share eligible for conversion into a Class C Share validly tendered in the Tender Offer, as adjusted on July 19, 2024, (the "Class C Share Offer Price") and EUR 8.28 per share for each Class F Share ineligible for conversion into a Class C Share validly tendered in the Tender Offer (the "Class F Share Offer Price," and together with the Class C Share Offer Price, the "Offer Prices").

Haier acknowledges that the Independent Committee of the Board of Directors of Purmo ("Purmo Independent Committee") has today announced that it has decided to continue endorsing a tender offer by Project Grand Bidco (UK) Limited ("Project Grand Bidco").

However, Haier believes that its Tender Offer delivers superior combination of value and deliverability to all shareholders of Purmo. Haier would like to highlight that its Class C Share Offer Price is approximately 23 percent higher than the respective offer price in Project Grand Bidco's tender offer and it has secured European-style certain funds for the entire consideration. As previously stated, Haier is highly confident about its ability to obtain all the necessary regulatory approvals, as also proved by its strong M&A track record. Over the past 12 years, Haier has announced international acquisitions for a cumulative value of USD 6 billion, including Candy in 2019, GE Appliances in 2016 and Fisher & Paykel in 2012, all of which have subsequently closed as per the announced schedule. During the recent negotiations, Haier has demonstrated its commitment to a successful completion also by agreeing with Purmo Independent Committee an outsized break-up fee and by offering its availability to immediately purchase approximately 10 percent of the shares in Purmo, therefore committing to spend a total of approximately EUR 78 million regardless of the final outcome of the Tender Offer. Haier also confirms its readiness to purchase further Purmo shares during the course of the Tender Offer, as the relevant regulatory approvals are received over time and up to the levels such approvals allow. Importantly, conditions to the completion of the Tender Offer do not include material adverse change clause and are customary in all other respects.

As such, Haier intends to proceed with the Tender Offer, and continue negotiating with Purmo's Independent Committee and Purmo's other constituencies in order to make them fully appreciate the merits of the Tender Offer and secure their support in the coming days.

Media Contact in Finland

Tiia Tikkanen, Communications Consultant, Tekir Ltd
[email protected]
+358 40 1693 706

Media and Investor Enquiries, HSH
Kathy Wang, Investor Relations
[email protected] 

Information about the Tender Offer is made available at www.hsh-offer.fi/en/. 

For administrative questions regarding the Tender Offer, please contact your bank or nominee where you have your Shares registered.

Important Information

THIS RELEASE MAY NOT BE RELEASED OR OTHERWISE DISTRIBUTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE TENDER OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

THIS RELEASE IS NOT A TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT AND AS SUCH DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO MAKE A SALES OFFER. IN PARTICULAR, THIS RELEASE IS NOT AN OFFER TO BUY OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN, AND IS NOT AN EXTENSION OF THE TENDER OFFER, IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA. INVESTORS SHALL ACCEPT THE TENDER OFFER FOR THE SHARES ONLY ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN A TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT. OFFERS WILL NOT BE MADE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE EITHER THE TENDER OFFER OR ACCEPTANCE THEREOF IS PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR WHERE ANY TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT OR REGISTRATION OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS WOULD APPLY IN ADDITION TO THOSE UNDERTAKEN IN FINLAND.

THE TENDER OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW AND, WHEN PUBLISHED, THE TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT AND RELATED ACCEPTANCE FORMS WILL NOT AND MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED, FORWARDED OR TRANSMITTED INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

THIS RELEASE HAS BEEN PREPARED IN COMPLIANCE WITH FINNISH LAW, THE RULES OF NASDAQ HELSINKI AND THE HELSINKI TAKEOVER CODE AND THE INFORMATION DISCLOSED MAY NOT BE THE SAME AS THAT WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED IF THIS RELEASE HAD BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE OF FINLAND.

Information for Shareholders of Purmo in the United States

The Tender Offer will be made for the issued and outstanding shares in Purmo, which is domiciled in Finland, and is subject to Finnish disclosure and procedural requirements. The Tender Offer is made in the United States in compliance with Section 14(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including Regulation 14E (in each case, subject to any exemptions or relief therefrom, if applicable) and otherwise in accordance with the disclosure and procedural requirements of Finnish law, including with respect to the Tender Offer timetable, settlement procedures, withdrawal, waiver of conditions and timing of payments, which are different from those of the United States. The financial information included in this release has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards in Finland and Switzerland, which may not be comparable to the financial statements or financial information of U.S. companies. Shareholders in the United States are advised that the Shares are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that Purmo is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder.

The Tender Offer is made to Purmo's shareholders resident in the United States on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other shareholders of Purmo to whom an offer is made. Any information documents, including this release, are being disseminated to U.S. shareholders on a basis comparable to the method that such documents are provided to Purmo's other shareholders.

To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulations, including Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act, the Offeror and its affiliates or its brokers and its broker's affiliates (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time after the date of this release and during the pendency of the Tender Offer, and other than pursuant to the Tender Offer and combination, directly or indirectly, purchase or arrange to purchase, the Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such Shares. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Finland, such information will be disclosed by means of a stock exchange or press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. shareholders of Purmo of such information. In addition, the financial advisers to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Purmo, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. To the extent required in Finland, any information about such purchases will be made public in Finland in the manner required by Finnish law.

Neither the SEC nor any U.S. state securities commission has approved or disapproved the Tender Offer, passed upon the merits or fairness of the Tender Offer, or passed any comment upon the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of this release. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Tender Offer by a U.S. holder of Shares may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable U.S. state and local, as well as foreign and other, tax laws. Each holder of Shares is urged to consult its independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of accepting the Tender Offer.

It may be difficult for Purmo's shareholders to enforce their rights and any claims they may have arising under the U.S. federal securities laws since the Offeror and Purmo are located in non-U.S. jurisdictions and some or all of their respective officers and directors may be residents of non-U.S. jurisdictions. Purmo's shareholders may not be able to sue the Offeror or Purmo or their respective officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. federal securities laws. It may be difficult to compel the Offeror and Purmo and their respective affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment.

Forward-looking Statements

This release contains statements that, to the extent they are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to financial position, future operations and development, business strategy and the trends in the industries and the political and legal environment and other information that is not historical information. In some instances, they can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes," "intends," "may," "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or variations on comparable terminology. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as at the date of this release.

Disclaimer

UBS AG Hong Kong Branch is a corporation licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong to carry on Type 1 (dealing in securities), Type 4 (advising on securities), Type 6 (advising on corporate finance), Type 7 (providing automated trading services) and Type 9 (asset management) regulated activities under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571 of the laws of Hong Kong). UBS AG Hong Kong Branch is acting exclusively for the Offeror and no one else in connection with the Tender Offer or the matters referred to in this document, will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this document) as its client in relation to the Tender Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Offeror for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Tender Offer or any other transaction or arrangement referred to in this document.

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