EQT INFRASTRUCTURE VI, THROUGH OTELLO BIDCO AB, PUBLISHES THE OFFER DOCUMENT FOR THE RECOMMENDED PUBLIC OFFER TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF OX2 AB (PUBL)
This announcement is not an offer, whether directly or indirectly, in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand or South Africa or in any other jurisdiction where such offer pursuant to legislation and regulations in such relevant jurisdiction would be prohibited by applicable law. Shareholders not resident in Sweden who wish to accept the Offer (as defined below) must make inquiries concerning applicable legislation and possible tax consequences. Shareholders should refer to the offer restrictions included in the section titled “Important information” at the end of this announcement and in the offer document which will be published shortly before the beginning of the acceptance period for the Offer. Shareholders in the United States should also refer to the section titled “Important notice to shareholders in the United States of America” at the end of this announcement.
On 13 May 2024, EQT Infrastructure VI[1], through Otello BidCo AB[2] (“Otello BidCo”), announced a recommended public offer to the shareholders of OX2 AB (publ) (“OX2”) to tender all their shares at a price of SEK 60 in cash per share (the “Offer”). The shares in OX2 are admitted to trading on Nasdaq Stockholm, Large Cap. On 16 May 2024, Otello BidCo announced that it had acquired shares in OX2, which together with the irrevocable undertaking to accept the Offer obtained from OX2’s founder and largest shareholder Peas Industries AB[3], secured 51.76 percent of the shares in OX2, meaning that the required acceptance level for the Offer had been secured. On 20 May 2024, Otello BidCo announced that it had secured 55.43 percent of the shares in OX2 through additional acquisitions. As announced through a notification of changes in major shareholdings published on 18 June 2024, Otello BidCo has on 14 June 2024 acquired an additional 27,029,077 shares, thereby securing 65.35 percent of the shares in OX2.
The Swedish language offer document relating to the Offer has today on 24 June 2024 been approved and registered by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Sw. Finansinspektionen). The offer document is available in Swedish and English on Otello BidCo’s website (www.sustainable-energy-offer.com/). The Swedish language offer document will also be available on the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority’s website (www.fi.se).
Pre-printed acceptance forms and pre-paid return envelopes will be distributed to shareholders of OX2 whose shares are directly registered with Euroclear Sweden AB on 24 June 2024. Shareholders in OX2 whose holdings are registered in the name of a nominee, will not receive a pre-printed acceptance form. Acceptances must be made in accordance with instructions received by such shareholder’s nominee.
The acceptance period for the Offer commences on 25 June 2024 and expires at 15:00 CEST on 14 October 2024. Assuming that the Offer is declared unconditional no later than on or around 15 October 2024, settlement is expected to be initiated on or around 21 October 2024.
The completion of the Offer is conditional upon, inter alia, the receipt of all regulatory, governmental or similar clearances, approvals and decisions that are necessary for the Offer and the acquisition of OX2. Such clearances, approvals and decisions are expected to have been received by the end of the acceptance period for the Offer. If all relevant clearances, approvals and decisions are received in such time that the acceptance period can be closed before 14 October 2024, Otello BidCo may announce an earlier end date of the acceptance period, provided that such announcement can be made not less than two weeks prior to the new date of expiry of the acceptance period.
Otello BidCo further reserves the right to extend the acceptance period for the Offer, one or several times, as well as to postpone the time for settlement.
Advisors
Otello BidCo and EQT Infrastructure VI have retained Rothschild & Co Nordic AB as lead financial advisor, Carnegie Investment Bank AB as financial advisor and Advokatfirman Vinge KB and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP as legal advisors in connection with the Offer.
Information about the Offer
Information about the Offer is made available at:
www.sustainable-energy-offer.com
The information was submitted for publication on 24 June 2024, 17:30 CEST.
For enquiries, please contact:
EQT Press Office
+46 8 506 55 334, press@eqtpartners.com
Fogel & Partners, Frida Malm
+46 730 653 885, otellobidco@fogelpartners.se
Important information
This press release has been published in Swedish and English. In the event of any discrepancy in content between the two language versions, the Swedish version shall prevail.
This announcement is not an offer, whether directly or indirectly, in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand or South Africa or in any other jurisdictions where such offer pursuant to legislation and regulations in such relevant jurisdictions would be prohibited by applicable law (the “Restricted Jurisdictions”).
The release, publication or distribution of this press release in or into jurisdictions other than Sweden may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than Sweden should inform themselves about, and observe any applicable requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in Sweden to accept the Offer may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. 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 Offer disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person.
This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with Swedish law, the Takeover Rules and the Swedish Securities Council’s rulings regarding interpretation and application of the Takeover Rules and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this press release had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions other than Sweden.
Unless otherwise determined by Otello BidCo or required by Swedish law, the Takeover Rules and the Swedish Securities Council’s rulings regarding interpretation and application of the Takeover Rules, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Offer will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction and no person may accept the Offer by any use, 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 or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction and the Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities. Accordingly, copies of this press release and any formal documentation relating to the Offer are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction.
The availability of the Offer to shareholders of OX2 who are not resident in and citizens of Sweden 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 or citizens of Sweden should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their jurisdictions.
The Offer, the information and documents contained in this press release are not being made and have not been approved by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”). Accordingly, the information and documents contained in this press release are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom, unless an exemption applies. The communication of the information and documents contained in this press release is exempt from the restriction on financial promotions under section 21 of the FSMA on the basis that it is a communication by or on behalf of a body corporate which relates to a transaction to acquire day to day control of the affairs of a body corporate; or to acquire 50 percent or more of the voting shares in a body corporate, within article 62 of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005.
Statements in this press release relating to future status or circumstances, including statements regarding future performance, growth and other trend projections and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential and other effects of the Offer, are forward-looking statements. These statements may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”, “intends”, “expects”, “believes”, “estimates”, “plans”, “will be” or similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by these forward-looking statements due to many factors, many of which are outside the control of Otello BidCo. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places throughout this announcement and the information incorporated by reference into this announcement and may include statements regarding the intentions, beliefs or current expectations of Otello BidCo or OX2 concerning, amongst other things: (i) future capital expenditures, expenses, revenues, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, dividend policy, losses and future prospects; (ii) business and management strategies, the expansion and growth of Otello BidCo’s or OX2’s business operations and potential synergies resulting from the Offer; and (iii) the effects of government regulation and industry changes on the business of Otello BidCo or OX2. Any forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date on which they are announced. Except as required by the Takeover Rules or applicable law or regulations, Otello BidCo expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly announce updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in the offer document to reflect any change in expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. The reader should, however, consult any additional disclosures that Otello BidCo or OX2 have made or may make.
Important notice to shareholders in the United States of America
The Offer described in this press release is made for the issued and outstanding shares of OX2, a company incorporated under Swedish law, and is subject to Swedish disclosure and procedural requirements, which may be different from those of the United States. The Offer is made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “U.S. Exchange Act”) and Regulation 14E thereunder (“Regulation 14E”), to the extent applicable, and subject to exemptions provided by Rule 14d-1 under the U.S. Exchange Act, and otherwise in compliance with the disclosure and procedural requirements of Swedish law, including with respect to withdrawal rights, the Offer timetable, notices of extensions, announcements of results, settlement procedures (including as regards to the time when payment of the consideration is rendered) and waivers of conditions, which may be different from requirements or customary practices in relation to U.S. domestic tender offers. The offeror’s ability to waive the conditions to the Offer (both during and after the end of the acceptance period) and the shareholders’ ability to withdraw their acceptances, may not be the same under a tender offer governed by Swedish law as under a tender offer governed by U.S. law. Holders of the shares of OX2 domiciled or resident in the United States (the “U.S. Holders”) are encouraged to consult with their own advisors regarding the Offer.
OX2’s financial statements and all financial information included herein, or any other documents relating to the Offer, have been or will be prepared in accordance with IFRS and may not be comparable to the financial statements or financial information of companies in the United States or other companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Offer is made to the U.S. Holders on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other shareholders of OX2 to whom the offer is being made. Any information documents, including the offer document, are being disseminated to U.S. Holders on a basis comparable to the method pursuant to which such documents are provided to OX2’s other shareholders. U.S. Holders should note that OX2 is not listed on a United States securities exchange, is not subject to the periodic requirements of the U.S. Exchange Act and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
The U.S. Holders should consider that the price for the Offer is being paid in SEK and that no adjustment will be made based on any changes in the exchange rate.
It may be difficult for U.S. Holders to enforce their rights and any claims they may have arising under the U.S. federal or state securities laws in connection with the Offer, since OX2 is located in another country other than the United States, and some or all of its officers and directors may be residents of countries other than the United States. U.S. Holders may not be able to sue OX2 or Otello BidCo or their respective officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of U.S. securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel OX2 or Otello BidCo and/or their respective affiliates to subject themselves to the jurisdiction or judgment of a U.S. court.
To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulations, Otello BidCo and its affiliates or its brokers and its brokers’ affiliates (acting as agents for Otello BidCo or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time and during the pendency of the Offer, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly purchase or arrange to purchase shares of OX2 outside the United States in reliance on applicable exemptions from the requirements of Regulation 14E (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, but in any event, at a price per share not more than the Offer Price, and information about such purchases will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. Holders of such information. In addition, affiliates to the financial advisors to Otello BidCo may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of OX2, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities as long as such purchases or arrangements are in compliance with applicable law and regulation. Any information about such purchases will be announced in Swedish and in a non-binding English translation available to the U.S. Holders through relevant electronic media if, and to the extent, such announcement is required under applicable Swedish or U.S. law, rules or regulations.
The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer by a U.S. Holder 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 shareholder is urged to consult an independent professional advisor regarding the tax consequences of accepting the Offer. Neither Otello BidCo nor any of its affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees or agents or any other person acting on their behalf in connection with the Offer shall be responsible for any tax effects or liabilities resulting from acceptance of this Offer.
NEITHER THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY U.S. STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE OFFER, PASSED ANY COMMENTS UPON THE MERITS OR FAIRNESS OF THE OFFER, PASSED ANY COMMENT UPON THE ADEQUACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THIS PRESS RELEASE OR PASSED ANY COMMENT ON WHETHER THE CONTENT IN THIS PRESS RELEASE IS CORRECT OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE UNITED STATES.
Rothschild & Co Nordic AB (“Rothschild & Co”) is financial advisor to Otello BidCo and EQT Infrastructure VI and no one else in connection with the Offer. Rothschild & Co is not responsible to anyone other than Otello BidCo and EQT Infrastructure VI for providing protections afforded to clients of Rothschild & Co nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer.
The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, and may not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or solicitation. Any offer or solicitation in respect of EQT Infrastructure VI will be made only through a confidential private placement memorandum and related documents which will be furnished to qualified investors on a confidential basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution to persons in the United States of America. Any securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold without registration thereunder or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom. Any offering of securities to be made in the United States would have to be made by means of an offering document that would be obtainable from the issuer or its agents and would contain detailed information about the issuer of the securities and its management, as well as financial information. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.
[1] The fund known as EQT Infrastructure VI, comprising of EQT Infrastructure VI EUR SCSp, a Luxembourg special limited partnership (société en commandite spéciale) with its registered office at 51A, Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg trade and companies register (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés, Luxembourg) under number B267825, and EQT Infrastructure VI USD SCSp, a Luxembourg special limited partnership (société en commandite spéciale) with its registered office at 51A, Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg trade and companies register (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés, Luxembourg) under number B267826, both acting by their manager (gérant) EQT Fund Management S.à r.l., a Luxembourg limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée), with its registered office at 51A, Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés, Luxembourg) under number B167972.
[2] A Swedish private limited liability company (Sw. privat aktiebolag) controlled by EQT Infrastructure VI, with corporate registration number 559479-1856.
[3] Peas Industries AB, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Peas Industries Invest AB, has undertaken to tender 124,168,572 shares (45.56 percent of the shares and votes in OX2) in the Offer. The terms of the irrevocable undertaking are described in the offer announcement published by Otello BidCo on 13 May 2024.