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Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type | Share ISIN | Share Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Velosi | LSE:VELO | London | Ordinary Share | GB00B19H9890 | ORD USD0.02 |
Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.00 | 0.00% | 163.00 | 0.00 | 01:00:00 |
Industry Sector | Turnover | Profit | EPS - Basic | PE Ratio | Market Cap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
TIDMVELO RNS Number : 6518X Azul Holding 2 Sarl 09 December 2010 THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO THE SAME WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION 9 December 2010 RECOMMENDED CASH OFFER BY Azul Holding 2 S.à r.l. TO ACQUIRE THE ENTIRE ISSUED AND TO BE ISSUED ORDINARY SHARE CAPITAL OF VELOSI LIMITED Summary · The directors of Azul and the Velosi Directors are pleased to announce today that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to be made by Azul, to acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Velosi. · Under the terms of the Offer, Velosi Shareholders will receive, for each Velosi Share held, 165 pence in cash. The Offer values the entire existing issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Velosi at approximately GBP87.8 million and represents a premium of: · 61.4 per cent. to the Closing Price of 102.25 pence per Velosi Share on 8 December 2010; · 60.3 per cent. to the average Closing Price of 102.91 pence per Velosi Share for the month prior to and including 8 December 2010; and · 56.5 per cent. to the average Closing Price of 105.45 pence per Velosi Share for the three months prior to and including 8 December 2010. · Velosi Shareholders, including the Velosi Directors (and certain family members, related trusts and connected persons, as applicable), have entered into irrevocable undertakings and letters of intent to accept, or procure acceptance of, the Offer in respect of their aggregate holding of 25,760,796 Velosi Shares (representing approximately 53.2 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velosi). · Azul's sole shareholder is Azul Holding. Azul Holding is also the sole shareholder of Applus Technologies Holding S.L. The Applus Group was formed in 2007 with the acquisition of Applus by Azul Holding on behalf of CEP II Participations S.à r.l. SICAR and CEP III Participations S.à r.l. SICAR together with their affiliates, collectively doing business as The Carlyle Group. · The Applus Group is a leader in testing, inspection, certification and technological services and generated revenues of EUR815.4 million for the year ended 31 December 2009 (2008: EUR819.6 million). It operates in 39 countries across five continents. Since January 2008, the Applus Group has made 14 acquisitions in Asia, Europe and the United States to expand its presence globally. · Following full acceptance of the Offer and payment of the cash consideration to the Velosi Shareholders, the Applus Group will consider whether a restructuring should be undertaken, which may result in Velosi becoming a subsidiary of Applus. Recommendation from the Independent Directors · The Independent Directors, who have been so advised by Robert W. Baird and Strand Hanson, consider the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable. In providing advice to the Independent Directors, Robert W. Baird and Strand Hanson have taken into account the commercial assessments of the Velosi Directors. In addition, the Independent Directors consider the terms of the Offer to be in the best interests of the Velosi Shareholders as a whole. · Accordingly, the Independent Directors unanimously recommend that Velosi Shareholders accept the Offer as the Independent Directors intend to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings in Velosi, amounting to, in aggregate, 88,888 Velosi Shares, representing approximately 0.2 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velosi. · Due to the interests of the Management Team (comprising the executive directors, Dr. Nabil Abdul Jalil, Joseph Thomas Vincent and Dan Ooi Soon Teik) in the Incentive Arrangements, the above recommendation is made by the Independent Directors, rather than by the Board as a whole. However, the members of the Management Team are fully supportive of the Offer and, accordingly, have each irrevocably undertaken to accept the Offer in respect of their own (and certain family members, related trusts and connected persons, as applicable) beneficial interests in Velosi Shares, amounting to, in aggregate, 7,367,626 Velosi Shares, representing approximately 15.2 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velosi. Commenting on the Offer Alex Wagenberg, Managing Director of The Carlyle Group, said: "As expected at the time of our investment in Applus, The Carlyle Group has been supportive of an accelerated growth and acquisition strategy to transform Applus into a global leader in its areas of competence. The acquisition of Velosi, with the additional financial support of The Carlyle Group and its partners, is the most important step to date in achieving that strategy. We are very excited about the combined prospects for the enlarged Applus Group as it works with Velosi and its highly regarded team in very attractive growth markets." Commenting on the Offer Joaquim Coella, Chief Executive Officer of Applus said: "Velosi is a leader in its field, and has a very experienced and well respected management team which has an impressive track record of growth and client service worldwide. The addition of Velosi to the Applus Group, led by its current management, will strengthen our international presence and leadership in several of our current activities. This acquisition will complement our services to Applus' clients in the energy industry currently focused on non-destructive testing worldwide and inspection and technical assistance mainly in Europe and South America, as well as providing Velosi with access to additional products and technologies for its client base." Commenting on the Offer Dr. Nabil Abdul Jalil, Velosi's Chief Executive Officer said: "The integration with the Applus Group is an important step for Velosi, which will become part of a global multinational leader in testing, inspection and certification. With this integration, Velosi will have the business and economic support to enter new markets by offering the guarantee of a group with more than EUR1 billion in turnover. Enormous opportunities are opened to Velosi in terms of exploiting synergies with other divisions of Applus worldwide." Commenting on the Offer John Hogan, Velosi's Non-executive Chairman said: "This is an attractive Offer for Velosi Shareholders. The Independent Directors are unanimous in recommending that Shareholders accept the Offer which represents a 61.4 per cent. premium to yesterday's share price and, being a cash offer, provides certainty to all Velosi Shareholders. Becoming part of the Applus Group will significantly enhance Velosi's ability to achieve its commercial objectives in the current market environment, which realistically would be less achievable if the Company continues to operate independently." Execution Noble is acting as financial adviser to Azul. Robert W. Baird and Strand Hanson are acting as joint financial advisers to Velosi. This summary should be read in conjunction with, and is subject to, the full text of this announcement and the Appendices to this announcement. In particular, the Offer will be subject to the Conditions set out in Appendix I and to the further terms set out in the Offer Document. Velosi Shareholders should also note that, as set out in paragraph 18 below, the Panel has confirmed that the Company is not subject to the Takeover Code and Velosi Shareholders will not be afforded any protection under the Code. Appendix I sets out the conditions and principal further terms of the Offer. Appendix II contains source notes relating to certain information contained in this announcement. Appendix III contains details of the irrevocable undertakings and letters of intent referred to in this announcement. Certain terms used in this announcement (including the summary) are defined in Appendix IV to this announcement. Please carefully read the Offer Documentation in its entirety before making a decision with respect to the Offer. Enquiries: +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | The Carlyle Group | +44 (0)20 7894 1630 | | Emma Thorpe / Rosanna | | | Konarzewski | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Execution Noble & Company | +44 (0)20 7456 9191 | | Limited | | | (Financial adviser to Azul) | | | John Llewellyn-Lloyd / Sunil | | | Sanikop | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Velosi Limited | +603 22 826 178 | | John Hogan, Non-Executive | | | Chairman | | | Dr Nabil Abdul Jalil, Chief | | | Executive Officer | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Robert W. Baird Limited | +44 (0)20 7488 1212 | | (Joint financial adviser to | | | Velosi) | | | Jonathan Harrison / Anand | | | Baldawa | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Strand Hanson Limited | +44 (0)20 7409 3494 | | (Joint financial adviser to | | | Velosi) | | | James Harris / Stuart Faulkner | | | / Richard Tulloch | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Charles Stanley Securities | +44 (0)20 7149 6000 | | (Broker to Velosi) | | | Mark Taylor | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Cardew Group | +44 (0)20 7930 0777 | | (Financial PR to Velosi) | | | Tim Robertson / Catherine | | | Maitland | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ This announcement is not intended to, and does not constitute or form any part of, any offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Offer or otherwise. The Offer will be made solely through the Offer Document and (in relation to Velosi Shares in certificated form) the accompanying Form of Acceptance, which will together contain the full terms and conditions of the Offer, including details of how to accept the Offer. Any acceptance or other response to the Offer should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Offer Document and (in relation to Velosi Shares in certificated form) the Form of Acceptance. The making of the Offer in, or to certain persons resident in, or citizens or nationals of, jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom or Jersey or to nominees of, or custodians, trustees or guardians for such persons may be prohibited or affected by the laws or regulatory requirements of the relevant overseas jurisdiction. In particular, the Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into or by the use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, e-mail, facsimile transmission, telex, telephone, the internet or other forms of electronic transmission) of interstate or foreign commerce, or of any facility of a national securities exchange of a Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer cannot be accepted by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility from or within a Restricted Jurisdiction. Such Overseas Shareholders should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal requirements. Copies of this announcement 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 and persons receiving this announcement (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send it in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so may render invalid any purported acceptance of the Offer. Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders are contained in the Offer Document. Although Velosi is incorporated in Jersey, the place of central management of the Company is currently located outside of the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Velosi's operations are worldwide and its executive directors are based in Malaysia. Accordingly, as the Company is not one to which paragraph 3(a)(ii) of the Takeover Code applies, the Panel has confirmed that the Company is not subject to the Takeover Code and Velosi Shareholders will not be afforded any protection under the Code. If circumstances change, which could result in the Company being subject to the Takeover Code, the Company will consult with the Panel. If the Panel determines that, as a result of such changes, the Takeover Code becomes applicable to the Company, an announcement will be made. Execution Noble, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting as financial adviser exclusively for Azul, and for no one else, in connection with the Offer. Execution Noble will not regard any other person as its client nor be responsible to anyone other than Azul for providing the protections afforded to clients of Execution Noble, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer and this announcement or any matter referred to in this announcement. Robert W. Baird, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting as joint financial adviser exclusively for Velosi, and for no one else, in connection with the Offer. Robert W. Baird will not regard any other person as its client nor be responsible to anyone other than Velosi for providing the protections afforded to its clients, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any matter referred to in this announcement. Strand Hanson, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting as joint financial adviser exclusively for Velosi, and for no one else, in connection with the Offer. Strand Hanson will not regard any other person as its client nor be responsible to anyone other than Velosi for providing the protections afforded to its clients, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any matter referred to in this announcement. The Velosi Directors accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement relating to Velosi and its subsidiaries, the Velosi Directors, members of their immediate families, related trusts and other connected persons. The Independent Directors accept responsibility for their views and opinions contained in this announcement, including their recommendation in respect of the Offer. The directors of Azul accept responsibility for all of the other information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Velosi Directors, the Independent Directors and the directors of Azul (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this announcement, for which they are respectively responsible, is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information. Forward looking statements This announcement contains "forward-looking statements" concerning the Applus Group and the Velosi Group. Often but not always, forward-looking information statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might", "will" or "continue to" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Velosi, Applus and/or their respective subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those described in this announcement include: costs and terms related to the acquisition of Velosi; the economic environment of the industries in which the Applus Group and the Velosi Group operate; failure to retain management; and regulatory change in the industry and/or the general economic environment. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. Although Azul and the Velosi Group have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statements made in this announcement in respect of the Applus Group and/or the Velosi Group are made as of the date of this announcement and are based on the opinions and estimates of the respective management teams. Subject to requirements to update under any applicable regulation or law, Azul and Velosi disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Publication on websites A copy of this announcement is and will be available free of charge, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, for inspection on Velosi's website at www.velosi.com during the course of the Offer. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO THE SAME WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION 9 December 2010 RECOMMENDED CASH OFFER BY Azul Holding 2 S.à r.l. TO ACQUIRE THE ENTIRE ISSUED AND TO BE ISSUED ORDINARY SHARE CAPITAL OF VELOSI LIMITED 1. Introduction The directors of Azul and the Velosi Directors are pleased to announce today that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to be made by Azul, to acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Velosi. Azul is a newly-incorporated company, formed specifically for the purpose of implementing the Offer. Azul's sole shareholder is Azul Holding. Azul Holding is also the sole shareholder of Applus Technologies Holding S.L.. These companies together with their subsidiaries form the Applus Group. Under the terms of the Offer, Velosi Shareholders will receive, for each Velosi Share held, 165 pence in cash. The Offer values the entire existing issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Velosi at approximately GBP87.8 million. 2. Summary of the Offer The Offer, which will be subject to the conditions and principal further terms set out below and in Appendix I to this announcement and to the full terms and conditions set out in the Offer Document, is being made on the following basis: 165 pence in cash for each Velosi Share The Offer values the existing issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Velosi at approximately GBP87.8 million. The Offer price represents a premium of approximately: · 61.4 per cent. to the Closing Price of 102.25 pence per Velosi Share on 8 December 2010, being the latest practicable Business Day prior to the date of this announcement; · 60.3 per cent. to the average Closing Price of 102.91 pence per Velosi Share for the month prior to and including 8 December 2010, being the latest practicable Business Day prior to the date of this announcement; and · 56.5 per cent. to the average Closing Price of 105.45 pence per Velosi Share for the three months prior to and including 8 December 2010, being the latest practicable Business Day prior to the date of this announcement. The Velosi Directors believe that the Offer represents an immediate and certain exit for Velosi Shareholders at an attractive premium of 61.4 per cent. to the Closing Price of 102.25 pence per Velosi Share on 8 December 2010, the last Business Day prior to the date of this announcement. The Offer Price has been determined on the basis that no dividend in respect of the ordinary share capital of Velosi will be declared or paid by Velosi after the date of this announcement. 3. Recommendation The Independent Directors, who have been so advised by Robert W. Baird and Strand Hanson, consider the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable. In providing advice to the Independent Directors, Robert W. Baird and Strand Hanson have taken into account the commercial assessments of the Velosi Directors. In addition, the Independent Directors consider the terms of the Offer to be in the best interests of the Velosi Shareholders as a whole. Accordingly, the Independent Directors unanimously recommend that Velosi Shareholders accept the Offer as the Independent Directors intend to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings in Velosi, amounting to, in aggregate, 88,888 Velosi Shares, representing approximately 0.2 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velosi. Due to the interests of the Management Team (comprising the executive directors Dr Nabil Abdul Jalil, Joseph Thomas Vincent and Dan Ooi Soon Teik) in the Incentive Arrangements, the above recommendation is made by the Independent Directors, rather than by the Board as a whole. However, the members of the Management Team are fully supportive of the Offer and, accordingly, have each irrevocably undertaken (together with certain family members, related trusts and connected persons) to accept the Offer in respect of their own beneficial holdings in Velosi Shares, amounting to, in aggregate, 7,367,626 Velosi Shares, representing approximately 15.2 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velosi. 4. Background to, and reasons for, recommending the Offer The Velosi business was founded in 1982. Velosi itself was admitted to AIM on 21 August 2006, with a market capitalisation of GBP34.3 million at the placing price of 90 pence per Velosi Share. Velosi has since achieved significant growth in revenue and profitability through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, enabling Velosi to expand its service offering and geographical reach to 39 countries across five continents. Velosi continues to gain market share with good visibility on future revenues, although a cautious outlook on investment in new oil and gas projects by multinational and state-owned companies has put pressure on Velosi's margins and its ability to grow. The Velosi Directors believe that being part of the Enlarged Group, with greater resources and cross-selling opportunities, would enable Velosi to expand its product portfolio and geographic presence and enhance its brand and competitive position. Furthermore, the Velosi Directors believe that the Offer represents an immediate and certain exit for Velosi Shareholders at an attractive premium of 61.4 per cent. to the Closing Price of 102.25 pence per Velosi Share on 8 December 2010, the last Business Day prior to the date of this announcement. Taking into account the factors set out above, the Independent Directors believe that all Velosi Shareholders should have the opportunity to consider the Offer and have therefore unanimously agreed to recommend it. 5. Current trading and outlook As announced by Velosi in its interim results on 21 September 2010 (available on the Company's website at www.velosi.com), the Company increased revenues by approximately 6.0 per cent. in the first half of 2010 to $94.5 million (2009: $89.2 million). Profit before tax decreased to $7.4 million (2009: $7.9 million), reflecting increased investment in new offices and personnel and changes in the business mix of the Velosi Group, including less higher-margin work. Velosi continued to focus on maintaining a strong cash position to enable investment with a view to driving future revenue growth through new office openings and expansion of its service offering, and as at 30 June 2010 Velosi had a net cash position of $18.4 million. In the first half of the current financial year, Velosi continued to gain market share by winning new contracts and it also continued its track record of retaining existing contracts. Since the half-year end, trading has continued to be positive, with stable demand for Velosi's services, new contract wins and further retention of existing contracts. However, a cautious outlook on investment in new oil and gas projects by multinational and state-owned companies has put pressure on Velosi's growth and margins. 6. Irrevocable undertakings and letters of intent to accept the Offer The executive Velosi Directors (and certain family members, related trusts and connected persons, as applicable) have entered into irrevocable undertakings to accept, or procure the acceptance of, the Offer in respect of their beneficial interests in Velosi Shares amounting, in aggregate, to 7,367,626 Velosi Shares, representing (as at the date of this announcement) approximately 15.2 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velosi. The executive Velosi Directors (and certain family members, related trusts and connected persons, as applicable) have also undertaken to accept the Offer in respect of any Ordinary Shares issued to them pursuant to the exercise of any share options granted to them by the Company, amounting to up to 2,495,596 Ordinary Shares. This represents, in aggregate, approximately 18.5 per cent. of the Velosi Fully Diluted Share Capital. As an alternative, such Velosi Directors may accept the proposals to be made by Azul in relation to share options or may allow their options to lapse. In addition, certain other Velosi Shareholders have entered into irrevocable undertakings to accept, or procure the acceptance of, the Offer in respect of their beneficial interests in Velosi Shares amounting, in aggregate, to 18,304,282 Velosi Shares, representing approximately 37.8 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velosi. These Velosi Shareholders have also undertaken to accept the Offer in respect of any Ordinary Shares issued to them pursuant to the exercise of any share options granted to them by the Company, amounting to up to 60,000 Ordinary Shares. This represents, in aggregate, approximately 34.5 per cent. of the Velosi Fully Diluted Share Capital. As an alternative, such Velosi Shareholders may accept the proposals to be made by Azul in relation to share options or may allow their options to lapse. In addition, the Independent Directors have provided letters of intent indicating their intention to procure the acceptance of the Offer in respect of their beneficial interests in Velosi Shares amounting, in aggregate, to 88,888 Velosi Shares, representing (as at the date of this announcement) approximately 0.2 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velosi. The Independent Directors have also indicated their intention to accept the Offer in respect of any Ordinary Shares issued to them pursuant to the exercise of any share options granted to them by the Company, amounting to up to 196,112 Ordinary Shares. This represents, in aggregate, approximately 0.5 per cent. of the Velosi Fully Diluted Share Capital. As an alternative, such Independent Directors may accept the proposals to be made by Azul in relation to share options or allow their options to lapse. Accordingly, irrevocable undertakings and letters of intent to accept, or procure the acceptance of, the Offer have been received in respect of, in aggregate, 25,760,796 Velosi Shares (and 28,512,504 Ordinary Shares on a fully diluted basis), representing approximately 53.2 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velosi (and 53.6 per cent. of the Velosi Fully Diluted Share Capital). These undertakings will cease to be binding in the event that the Offer is not declared wholly unconditional in all respects by Azul by 9 April 2011 or in the event that the Offer lapses or is withdrawn by Azul in accordance with its terms without having become wholly unconditional. These undertakings remain binding even if a higher offer is made by a third party. Further details of these irrevocable undertakings and letters of intent are set out in Appendix III to this announcement. 7. Information on Velosi The Velosi business was founded in 1982. Velosi itself was incorporated on 28 March 2006 as a limited liability company under the Companies (Jersey) Law. The Company was quoted on AIM and admitted to trading on AIM on 21August 2006. The principal activity of the Company, since the incorporation of Velosi Malaysia in 1982, has been the provision of testing, inspection and certification services to the oil and gas sector. The Company has a broad range of customers including leading national and multinational oil and gas companies. The Velosi Group operates globally through five regional headquarters in the USA, UK, Malaysia, South Africa and the UAE and has 63 offices in 39 countries worldwide. For the financial year ended 31 December 2009, Velosi reported profit on ordinary activities before taxation of $16.8 million (2008: $14.9 million) on revenue of $183.6 million (2008: $182.1 million). Net assets as at 31 December 2009 were $76.3 million (31 December 2008: $62.4 million). For the six months ended 30 June 2010, Velosi reported profit on ordinary activities before taxation of $7.4 million (2009: $7.9 million) on revenue of $94.5 million (2009: $89.2 million). Net assets as at 30 June 2010 were $84.3 million (30 June 2009: $71.0 million). To view these financial results in further detail please access them through the website http://www.velosi.com. 8. Information on Azul, The Carlyle Group and Applus Azul Azul is a company incorporated in Luxembourg on 18 November 2010 specifically for the purpose of making the Offer. Since its incorporation, Azul has not traded, other than to the extent necessary to finance and make the Offer. Azul's sole shareholder is Azul Holding. Azul Holding is managed and majority controlled by The Carlyle Group, which is its majority shareholder. The Carlyle Group CEP II Participations S.à r.l. SICAR and CEP III Participations S.à r.l. SICAR are part of The Carlyle Group. The Carlyle Group is a global alternative asset manager with $97.7 billion of assets under management committed to 76 funds as of 30 September 2010. The Carlyle Group invests across three asset classes - private equity, real estate and credit alternatives - in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America, focusing on aerospace and defence, automotive and transportation, consumer and retail, energy and power, financial services, healthcare, industrial, infrastructure, technology and business services and telecommunications and media. Since 1987, the firm has invested $64.7 billion of equity in over 1,000 transactions. The Carlyle Group employs more than 900 people in 19 countries. As of 30 June 2010, in aggregate, The Carlyle Group portfolio companies have more than $84 billion in revenue and employ more than 398,000 people around the world. For further information on The Carlyle Group, please access the website www.carlyle.com. The Applus Group The Applus Group was formed in 2007 with the acquisition of Applus by Azul Holding on behalf of CEP II Participations S.à r.l. SICAR and CEP III Participations S.à r.l. SICAR together with their affiliates, collectively doing business as The Carlyle Group, and other institutional and private investors. The Applus Group is a leader in testing, inspection, certification and technological services and generated revenues of EUR815.4 million for the year ended 31 December 2009 (2008: EUR819.6 million). It operates in 39 countries across five continents. The Applus Group provides services in more than 14 sectors through the following five operational divisions: · Inspection and Technical Assistance Division: focuses on project quality management services, asset integrity management services and health, safety and environmental consultancy for the energy, industrial and construction sectors in Spain and Latin America; · Non-destructive Testing and Inspection Division: focuses on conventional and advanced non-destructive testing and inspection for the energy and petrochemical sectors on a global basis; · Laboratories and Certification Division: focuses on testing, inspection of products, product development and system and product certification, in Europe, Asia and Latin America; · Automobile Engineering and Testing Division: offers top-level proving ground facilities and complete solutions for product development projects, including engineering, testing and homologation in Europe and Asia; and · Vehicle Inspection Division: focuses on the assessment of vehicle safety and analysis and control of polluting gas emissions in Europe, the US and Latin America. Since January 2008, the Applus Group has made 14 acquisitions in Asia, Europe and the United States to expand its presence globally. For further information on the Applus Group, please access the website www.applus.com. 9. Financing for the Offer The cash consideration payable under the Offer to the Velosi Shareholders will be financed from, inter alia, funds directly or indirectly available to Azul, which have been underwritten by CEP II Fund and CEP III Fund, being entities doing business as The Carlyle Group. Following full acceptance of the Offer and payment of the cash consideration to the Velosi Shareholders, the Applus Group will consider whether a restructuring should be undertaken, which may result in Velosi becoming a subsidiary of Applus. The terms of such restructuring are likely to require security to be given over, among other things, the share capital of entities within the Enlarged Group. Execution Noble is satisfied that the necessary financial resources are available to Azul to enable it to satisfy in full the consideration payable to the Velosi Shareholders by Azul under the terms of the Offer. 10. Incentive Arrangements Upon the Offer being or becoming declared unconditional in all respects, Azul has agreed that Velosi will put in place an incentive bonus plan ("Plan") for senior Velosi managers which will reward them by reference to the future financial performance of the Velosi Group. Senior managers will receive awards ("Awards") under the Plan entitling them, subject to the satisfaction of various performance and other conditions, to participate in a proportion of the payments under the Plan. The Management Team will be recipients of substantial Awards under the Plan if the performance targets are met or exceeded. Payments under the Plan could be substantially higher than historic bonus payments paid to senior managers of the Company, but would only be paid if challenging targets are met. The Plan will operate as a pooled arrangement to be shared amongst the senior Velosi managers. The amounts payable will be calculated prima facie by reference to the excess adjusted EBITDA ("Adjusted EBITDA") of the Velosi Group generated over a hurdle amount in respect of either of the two financial years ending 31 December 2012 and 2013, such hurdle amount being $23 million of Adjusted EBITDA. The aggregate amount of all the payments under the Plan will be subject to a cap ("Cap"). Subject to the satisfaction of the various conditions, some of which are outlined below, and the Cap, the effect of such calculation will be that an aggregate amount of up to approximately one third of such Adjusted EBITDA generated in either of the relevant financial years could be paid out to senior managers under the Plan. Adjusted EBITDA for these purposes means the consolidated EBITDA for the Velosi Group calculated by reference to the consolidated accounts of the Company together with its share of profits from certain associate companies. Payments will be made to senior managers provided that certain conditions are met relating, inter alia, to minimum levels of cash flow generation by the Velosi Group during the life of the Plan, and in the case of the entitlements of individual senior managers, continued employment of the relevant senior manager (subject to customary provisions entitling senior managers to receive payments under the Plan if they are a good leaver). 11. Velosi's directors, management and employees Azul intends to grow Velosi's business and attaches great importance to the skills and experience of the existing management and employees of Velosi, as they will be instrumental in achieving this growth. Azul has given assurances to the Velosi Directors that, if the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects, the existing employment rights, including pension rights, of all of Velosi's employees will be fully safeguarded in accordance with statutory and contractual requirements. Following the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional in all respects, each member of the Management Team will enter into a new service contract. 12. Offer to option holders The Offer extends to any Velosi Shares unconditionally allotted or issued pursuant to the exercise of options or awards made under the Velosi Option Schemes while the Offer remains open for acceptance. In the event that the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects, Azul will make appropriate proposals to participants in the Velosi Option Schemes to the extent that their options or awards have not been exercised or vested. Such proposals will not extend to options which have been granted at an exercise price in excess of the Offer Price. 13. Amendments to be made to the Velosi Option Schemes Velosi has today posted the Circular to Velosi Shareholders. The purpose of the Circular and notice of extraordinary general meeting enclosed therewith is to set out the background to certain proposed amendments to the Option Schemes and to convene anextraordinary general meeting at which a resolution will be proposed authorising the Velosi Directors to amend the rules of the Option Schemes. The effect of these amendments would be to enable certain share options granted by Velosi, that would not otherwise be capable of exercise in connection with the Offer, to be capable of exercise in certain circumstances, including, in connection with the Offer. 14. Inducement Fee Arrangements Pursuant to an agreement dated 8 December 2010, Velosi has agreed to pay an inducement fee, in the sum of GBP878,000, to Azul upon the occurrence of certain trigger events. Pursuant to the terms of the Inducement Fee Agreement, a fee will become payable by the Company if: (a) a Competing Offer is made by a person other than Azul or any person acting in concert with Azul (a "Third Party") before the Offer lapses or is withdrawn in accordance with its terms and either: (i) the Velosi Directors recommend such Competing Offer and the Offer subsequently lapses or is withdrawn; or (ii) such Competing Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects; or (b) before the Offer lapses or is withdrawn in accordance with its terms, any of the Independent Directors withdraw or adversely modify their recommendation of the Offer and the Offer subsequently lapses or is withdrawn (save where such withdrawal or modification is as a result of Azul becoming unable or unwilling to complete the Offer in accordance with its terms). In addition, Velosi has undertaken to Azul pursuant to the terms of the Inducement Fee Agreement that until such time as the Offer is declared wholly unconditional, lapses or is withdrawn (the "Exclusivity Period") it will not, directly or indirectly, solicit, encourage or seek to procure any interest from a Third Party in relation to a Relevant Transaction or facilitate any discussions or negotiations which relate to or may be expected to lead to a Relevant Transaction. These obligations are subject to the Velosi Directors' fiduciary and statutory duties to the Company and will not prevent the Velosi Directors from complying with any obligations that they would have under the Code, if the Company was a company to which the Code applied. In addition, Velosi has agreed to notify Azul if an approach is made to it by a Third Party in relation to a Relevant Transaction during the Exclusivity Period. 15. Conditionality to the Offer The conditions to the Offer are set out in full in Appendix I to this announcement. The Offer will be conditional, amongst other things, upon Azul receiving valid acceptances of the Offer in respect of not less than 90 per cent. of the Velosi Shares to which the Offer relates (or such lower percentage as Azul may decide provided that such Condition will not be satisfied unless Azul and/or any other members of Carlyle have acquired or agreed to acquire, whether pursuant to the Offer or otherwise, Velosi Shares carrying in aggregate more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights then normally exercisable at general meetings of Velosi). 16. Overseas Velosi Shareholders The availability of the Offer to Velosi Shareholders who are not resident in the United Kingdom or Jersey may be affected by the laws of their relevant jurisdictions. Such persons should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their jurisdictions. If you remain in any doubt, you should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay. Copies of this announcement are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction and persons receiving this announcement (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send it in or into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so may render invalid any purported acceptance of the Offer. 17. Compulsory acquisition and cancellation of trading in Velosi Shares on AIM If Azul has by virtue of the Offer acquired or contracted to acquire 90 per cent. or more in nominal value of the Velosi Shares to which the Offer relates and the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects, Azul intends to exercise its rights pursuant to the provisions of Part 18 of the Companies (Jersey) Law to acquire compulsorily any outstanding Velosi Shares not acquired or contracted to be acquired pursuant to the Offer. If the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects and Azul receives acceptances of the Offer which result in Azul and/or any other members of the Applus Group or The Carlyle Group holding Velosi Shares carrying in aggregate 75 per cent. or more of the total number of Velosi Shares, Azul intends to procure that Velosi applies to the London Stock Exchange for the cancellation of the admission of the Velosi Shares to trading on AIM ("Cancellation"). Not less than 20 Business Days' notice of the proposed Cancellation will be given, commencing either on the date the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects by Azul or on the first date of the issue of compulsory acquisition notices under Part 18 of the Companies (Jersey) Law. Accordingly, Velosi Shareholders who do not accept the Offer in respect of all or part of their Velosi Shares may be left with minority holdings in an unquoted public company. Velosi Shareholders should note that Cancellation is likely to significantly reduce the liquidity and marketability of Velosi Shares with respect to which the Offer has not been accepted. Azul also intends that, following the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional in all respects and after Cancellation, Velosi will be re-registered as a private company. 18. The City Code Although Velosi is incorporated in Jersey, the place of central management of the Company is currently located outside of the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Velosi's operations are worldwide and its executive directors are based in Malaysia. Accordingly, as the Company is not one to which paragraph 3(a)(ii) of the Takeover Code applies, the Panel has confirmed that the Company is not subject to the Takeover Code and Velosi Shareholders will not be afforded any protection under the Code. If circumstances change, which could result in the Company being subject to the Takeover Code, the Company will consult with the Panel. If the Panel determines that, as a result of such changes, the Takeover Code becomes applicable to the Company, an announcement will be made. However, in accordance with the Further Terms of the Offer in the Offer Document, Azul will conduct the Offer in accordance with a Code timetable and in accordance with the spirit of the Code. 19. Disclosure of interests in Velosi At the close of business on 8 December 2010 (being the latest practicable date prior to this announcement), save as disclosed in this announcement, neither Azul nor any of the directors of Azul nor any persons acting in concert with Azul has or has had an interest in Velosi relevant securities. 20. General The Offer Document, containing the full terms of the Offer, and the Form of Acceptance (in relation to Velosi Shares in certificated form), will be posted to Velosi Shareholders and, for information only, to participants in the Velosi Option Schemes (other than persons with addresses in a Restricted Jurisdiction), today. The Offer, made by Azul, is governed by English law and is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. The Offer will not be subject to the applicable requirements of the Code. Appendix I of this announcement sets out the conditions and principal further terms of the Offer. Appendix II contains further details of the bases and sources of certain information contained in this announcement. Appendix III contains further details of irrevocable undertakings and letters of intent. Certain terms used in this announcement are defined in Appendix IV to this announcement. Enquiries: +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | The Carlyle Group | +44 (0)20 7894 1630 | | Emma Thorpe / Rosanna | | | Konarzewski | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Execution Noble & Company | +44 (0)20 7456 9191 | | Limited | | | (Financial adviser to Azul) | | | John Llewellyn-Lloyd / Sunil | | | Sanikop | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Velosi Limited | +603 22 826 178 | | John Hogan, Non-Executive | | | Chairman | | | Dr Nabil Abdul Jalil, Chief | | | Executive Officer | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Robert W. Baird Limited | +44 (0)20 7488 1212 | | (Joint financial adviser to | | | Velosi) | | | Jonathan Harrison / Anand | | | Baldawa | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Strand Hanson Limited | +44 (0)20 7409 3494 | | (Joint financial adviser to | | | Velosi) | | | James Harris / Stuart Faulkner | | | / Richard Tulloch | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Charles Stanley Securities | +44 (0)20 7149 6000 | | (Broker to Velosi) | | | Mark Taylor | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | Cardew Group | +44 (0)20 7930 0777 | | (Financial PR to Velosi) | | | Tim Robertson / Catherine | | | Maitland | | +---------------------------------+---------------------------------+ This announcement is not intended to, and does not constitute or form any part of, an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Offer or otherwise. The Offer will be made solely through the Offer Document and (in relation to Velosi Shares in certificated form) the Form of Acceptance, which will together contain the full terms and conditions of the Offer, including details of how to accept the Offer. Any acceptance or other response to the Offer should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Offer Document and (in relation to Velosi Shares in certificated form) the Form of Acceptance. Execution Noble, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting as financial adviser exclusively for Azul, and for no one else, in connection with the Offer. Execution Noble will not regard any other person as its client nor be responsible to anyone other than Azul for providing the protections afforded to clients of Execution Noble, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer and this announcement or any matter referred to in this announcement. Execution Noble has given and has not withdrawn its written consent to the publication of this announcement containing references to its name in the form and context in which they appear. The Offer shall be made solely by Azul and neither Execution Noble nor any of its respective affiliates are making the Offer. Robert W. Baird, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting as joint financial adviser exclusively for Velosi, and for no one else, in connection with the Offer. Robert W. Baird will not regard any other person as its client nor be responsible to anyone other than Velosi for providing the protections afforded to its clients, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any matter referred to in this announcement. Robert W. Baird has given and has not withdrawn its written consent to the publication of this announcement containing references to its name in the form and context in which they appear. Strand Hanson, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting as joint financial adviser exclusively for Velosi, and for no one else, in connection with the Offer. Strand Hanson will not regard any other person as its client nor be responsible to anyone other than Velosi for providing the protections afforded to its clients, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any matter referred to in this announcement. Strand Hanson has given and has not withdrawn its written consent to the publication of this announcement containing references to its name in the form and context in which they appear. Forward looking statements This announcement contains "forward-looking statements" concerning the Applus Group and the Velosi Group. Often but not always, forward-looking information statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might", "will" or "continue to" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Velosi, Applus and/or their respective subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those described in this announcement include: costs and terms related to the acquisition of Velosi; the economic environment of the industries in which the Applus Group and the Velosi Group operate; failure to retain management; and regulatory change in the industry and/or the general economic environment. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. Although Azul and the Velosi Group have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statements made in this announcement in respect of the Applus Group and/or the Velosi Group are made as of the date of this announcement and are based on the opinions and estimates of the respective management teams. Subject to requirements to update under any applicable regulation or law, Azul and Velosi disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Publication on websites A copy of this announcement is and will be available free of charge, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, for inspection on Velosi's website at www.velosi.com during the course of the Offer. APPENDIX I CONDITIONS AND PRINCIPAL FURTHER TERMS OF THE OFFER The Offer, made by Azul, which will be governed by English law and subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, will be subject to the terms and conditions set out below, in the Offer Document and (in respect of certificated Velosi Shares) in the Form of Acceptance. The Offer will not be subject to the requirements of the Code. The Offer is subject to the following conditions: 1. The Offer is subject to the following Conditions: 1.1 valid acceptances being received (and not, where permitted, withdrawn) by not later than 3.00 p.m. on 30 December 2010 (or such later time as Azul may decide in accordance with the provisions of Part B of this Appendix 1), provided that no such date shall be later than 7 February 2011), unless agreed in writing by Velosi, in respect of not less than 90 per cent. (or such lesser percentage as Azul may decide) in nominal value of the Velosi Shares to which the Offer relates, provided that this Condition will not be satisfied unless Azul shall have acquired or agreed to acquire (whether pursuant to the Offer or otherwise), Velosi Shares carrying, in aggregate, over 50 per cent. of the voting rights then normally exercisable at general meetings of Velosi; and for the purpose of this Condition 1.1 (i) the expression "Velosi Shares to which the Offer relates" shall be construed in accordance with Article 116 of the Companies (Jersey) Law; and (ii) valid acceptances shall be deemed to have been received in respect of Velosi Shares which are treated for the purposes of Part 18 of the Companies (Jersey) Law as having been acquired or contracted to be acquired by Azul by virtue of acceptances of the Offer; 1.2 in so far as the Offer requires approval pursuant to merger control, antitrust or competition laws in any jurisdiction, without which completion of the Offer would be unlawful or otherwise prohibited or restricted, in each case to an extent that is Material, either; 1.2.1 all Relevant Authorities have: 1.2.1.1 declined jurisdiction over the Offer; 1.2.1.2 explicitly granted clearance at the first stage review of the Offer, either unconditionally or on conditions reasonably satisfactory to Azul; or 1.2.1.3 through the expiry of time periods available for their investigation, been deemed to have granted consent or clearance; or 1.2.2 all applicable waiting and other time periods during which any Relevant Authority could take, institute, implement or threaten any action, investigation, enquiry or reference or otherwise intervene under the laws of any jurisdiction having expired, lapsed or been terminated; 1.3 since 30 June 2010 (being the date to which the latest published interim results of Velosi were made up), save as Disclosed: 1.3.1 no litigation, arbitration, prosecution or other legal proceedings which could reasonably be expected to be Material to the Velosi Group having been instituted, announced or threatened by or against any member of the Velosi Group; and 1.3.2 no adverse change or deterioration having occurred in the business, assets, financial or trading position or profits of the Velosi Group, which in any case is Material; and 1.4 no member of the Velosi Group having since 30 June 2010 (being the date to which the latest published interim results of Velosi were made up), save as Disclosed: 1.4.1 issued or agreed to issue additional shares of any class or issued or granted or agreed to issue or grant securities convertible into or rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or acquire such shares or redeemed, purchased or reduced any of its own shares or other securities or announced any intention to do so or made any other change to any part of its share capital; 1.4.2 recommended, declared, paid or made any dividend, bonus or other distribution other than dividends lawfully paid to Velosi or wholly-owned subsidiaries of Velosi and save for the final dividend in respect of the financial year of the Velosi Group ended 31 December 2009 paid by Velosi on 30 July 2010; 1.4.3 to an extent that is Material, issued any debentures or incurred or increased any indebtedness; 1.4.4 to an extent that is Material, disposed of or transferred, mortgaged or encumbered any asset or any right, title or interest in any asset, other than in the ordinary course of business; 1.4.5 to an extent that is Material, entered into any contract, arrangement or other transaction otherwise than in the ordinary course of business; 1.4.6 to an extent that is Material, entered into, or materially varied the terms of, any contract or agreement with any of the directors or senior executives of Velosi; 1.4.7 to an extent that is Material, entered into any contract, transaction or arrangement which is restrictive on the business of the Velosi Group; 1.4.8 to an extent that is Material, taken any corporate action for its winding-up or for the appointment of a receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, trustee or similar officer of all or any of its assets and revenues; or 1.4.9 to an extent that is Material, been unable or admitted that it is unable to pay its debts generally or having stopped or suspended payment of its debts generally or ceased or threatened to cease carrying on all or a substantial part of its business. 2. Azul reserves the right (but shall be under no obligation) to waive all or any of the Conditions above, in whole or in part, except Condition 1.1. 3. Conditions 1.2 to 1.4 (inclusive) must be fulfilled or, if capable of waiver, waived by midnight on 28 February 2011 or such later date as may be agreed in writing by Azul and Velosi, failing which the Offer will lapse, except that Azul shall not lapse the Offer by invoking Condition 1.3 or 1.4 unless and until either (i) Velosi has agreed in writing in advance that Azul is entitled to invoke Condition 1.3 or Condition 1.4 or (ii) the Expert decides that Azul is entitled to invoke Condition 1.3 or Condition 1.4 in accordance with the procedure set out below or the Expert fails to give notice of its decision to Azul and Velosi within ten Business Days of Azul first notifying Velosi of its intention to invoke Condition 1.3 or Condition 1.4. 4. Azul shall be under no obligation to waive or treat as fulfilled or satisfied any of Conditions 1.2 to 1.4 (inclusive) by a date earlier than the latest date specified above for the fulfilment or satisfaction thereof notwithstanding that the other Conditions of the Offer may at such earlier date have been waived or fulfilled or satisfied and that there are at such earlier date no circumstances indicating that any such Conditions may not be capable of fulfilment or satisfaction, provided that Conditions 1.3 and 1.4 shall be treated as satisfied immediately prior to the Offer otherwise becoming or being declared wholly unconditional unless either Condition has been invoked before then. 5. Any dispute between Velosi and Azul as to whether Azul is entitled to invoke Condition 1.3 or 1.4 shall be determined by an independent expert (the "Expert") in accordance with this paragraph 5. If the parties are unable to agree on the appointment of an Expert within two Business Days of either party serving details in writing of a suggested expert on the other, the Expert shall be such internationally recognised firm of accountants as is appointed by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales at the request of either party. The Expert shall have access to all accounting records or other relevant documents of Velosi which it requests for the purposes of its determination, subject to any existing confidentiality provisions. The Expert is required to prepare a written decision and give notice (including a copy) of the decision to both parties within a maximum of ten Business Days of Azul first notifying Velosi of its intention to invoke Condition 1.3 or 1.4. The Expert shall act as an expert and not as an arbitrator, and the Expert's written decision on the matters referred to it shall be final and binding in the absence of manifest error or fraud. The Expert's fees and expenses shall be borne by the parties equally or in such other proportions as the Expert shall direct. 6. If any matter is referred to the Expert and (i) the Expert has not given his decision before 3.30 p.m. on 28 February 2011 and (ii) the last date on which the Expert may give his decision ("Final Date") is after 28 February 2011, all references in this announcement to 28 February 2011 shall be read as the earlier of: (i) the Final Date or (ii) the date on which the Expert gives his decision, provided that the Offer has not lapsed or been withdrawn. Azul will make an announcement by not later than 4.30 p.m. on 28 February 2011 disclosing: (i) that a matter has been referred to the Expert, (ii) the Final Date and (iii) that references in this announcement to 28 February 2011 will be read as the earlier of: (i) the Final Date or (ii) the date on which the Expert gives his decision. APPENDIX II BASES AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION (a) Unless otherwise stated, the financial information relating to Applus has been extracted or derived (without any adjustment) from Applus' audited accounts for the year ended 31 December 2009. (b) Unless otherwise stated, the financial information relating to Velosi has been extracted or derived (without any adjustment) from the latest published audited report and accounts of Velosi for the year ended 31 December 2009 and the unaudited interim accounts of Velosi for the six month period ended 30 June 2010. (c) The value attributed to the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Velosi is based upon 48,384,548 Ordinary Shares in issue and 4,838,208 "in the money" options as at the close of business on 8 December 2010. (d) All prices for Velosi Shares have been derived from the Daily Official List and represent the Closing Price on the relevant date. (e) All the times referred to in this announcement are London times, unless otherwise stated. APPENDIX III DETAILS OF IRREVOCABLE UNDERTAKINGS AND LETTERS OF INTENT +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Name of | Total | Percentage | Total | Total | Percentage | | Shareholder | number of | of | number | number | of | | giving | Velosi | existing | of | of | Ordinary | | irrevocable | Shares in | issued | Velosi | Ordinary | Shares in | | undertaking | respect | ordinary | options | Shares | respect of | | or letter of | of which | share | 'in the | in | which | | intent to | undertaking | capital of | money' | respect | undertaking | | accept or | or letter | Velosi | in | of which | or letter | | procure | of intent | | respect | undertaking | of intent | | acceptance of | is given | | of which | or letter | is given on | | the Offer | | | undertaking | of intent | a fully | | | | | or letter | is given on | diluted | | | | | of intent | a fully | basis | | | | | is given** | diluted | | | | | | | basis | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Velosi | | | | | | | Directors*: | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Dr. Nabil | - | - | 855,238 | 855,238 | 1.6% | | Abdul Jalil | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Bunny Nabil | 74,148*** | 0.2% | - | 74,148 | 0.1% | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Raptor | 5,327,465**** | 11.0% | - | 5,327,465 | 10.0% | | Worldwide | | | | | | | Limited | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Joseph Thomas | 1,646,345***** | 3.4% | 778,959 | 2,425,304 | 4.6% | | Vincent | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Pitchuta | 27,434 | 0.1% | - | 27,434 | 0.1% | | Jayapipat | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Dan Ooi Soon | 292,234 | 0.6% | 726,399 | 1,018,633 | 1.9% | | Teik | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Beatrice | - | - | 135,000 | 135,000 | 0.3% | | Dorall | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | John Anthony | 55,555## | 0.1% | 100,556 | 156,111 | 0.3% | | Hogan (L) | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Marcus John | 33,333### | 0.1% | 95,556 | 128,889 | 0.2% | | Gregory | | | | | | | Stanton (L) | | | | | | | | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Sub-total | 7,456,514 | 15.4% | 2,691,708 | 10,148,222 | 19.1% | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Other Velosi | | | | | | | Shareholders: | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Axzar | 8,575,632 | 17.7% | - | 8,575,632 | 16.1% | | Investment | | | | | | | Limited | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Mohamed | 2,235,030 | 4.6% | 30,000 | 2,265,030 | 4.3% | | Ashari bin | | | | | | | Abas | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Dato Mohd Jai | 760,975 | 1.6% | 30,000 | 790,975 | 1.5% | | bin Suboh | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Chee Peck | 5,187,935**** | 10.7% | - | 5,187,935 | 9.7% | | Kiat****** | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Ong Thean | 1,544,710# | 3.2% | - | 1,544,710 | 2.9% | | Huat# | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Sub-total | 18,304,282 | 37.8% | 60,000 | 18,364,282 | 34.5% | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ | Total | 25,760,796 | 53.2% | 2,751,708 | 28,512,504 | 53.6% | | irrevocable | | | | | | | undertakings | | | | | | | or letter of | | | | | | | intent given | | | | | | | to accept or | | | | | | | procure to | | | | | | | procure | | | | | | | acceptance of | | | | | | | the Offer | | | | | | +---------------+----------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ (L) Indicates a letter of intent. * Together with their immediate families, related trusts and connected persons. ** The relevant option holders are not obliged to exercise the options held by them. Alternatively, they may accept the proposals to be made to Azul to option holders, or allow their options to lapse. *** Registered in the name of Pershing Nominees Limited (as nominee for Bunny Nabil). **** Held on trust for Dr. Nabil Abdul Jalil. ***** Registered in the name of Rock (Nominees) Limited (as nominee for Joseph Thomas Vincent). ****** Registered in the name of Rock (Nominees) Limited (as nominee for Chee Peck Kiat). # 177,050 of which are registered in the name of Rock (Nominees) Limited (as nominee for Ong Thean Huat). ## Registered in the name of Rock (Nominees) Limited (as nominee for John Anthony Hogan). ### Registered in the name of Strand Nominees Limited (as nominee for Marcus John Gregory Stanton). The undertakings in respect of the Velosi Directors and their immediate families, related trusts and connected persons, and the other Velosi Shareholders listed above will cease to be binding in the event that: (a) the Offer is not declared wholly unconditional in all respects by Azul by 9 April 2011; or (b) the Offer lapses or is withdrawn by Azul without having become wholly unconditional, and, in each case, the termination of the obligations of those persons giving undertakings have not been waived in writing. There undertakings remain binding even if a higher offer is made by a third party. APPENDIX IV DEFINITIONS The following definitions apply throughout this announcement, unless the context requires otherwise: +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Act | the UK Companies Act 2006; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | acting in concert | has the meaning that would be given to | | | the expression pursuant to the Code if | | | Velosi was a company to which the Code | | | applied; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | AIM | the AIM market, a market operated by | | | the London Stock Exchange; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | announcement | this announcement; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Applus | Applus Technologies Holding S.L., a | | | company incorporated in Spain with | | | registration number B61122933 and | | | having its registered office at Campus | | | UAB Carretera acceso a la Facultad de | | | Medicina s/n, 08193, Bellaterra, | | | Barcelona, Spain; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Applus Group | Azul Holding and its subsidiary | | | undertakings from time to time | | | including Applus and Azul; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Australia | the Commonwealth of Australia, its | | | states, territories and possessions; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Azul | means Azul Holding 2 S.à r.l., a | | | company incorporated in Luxembourg with | | | registration number B157045 and having | | | its registered office at 2, Avenue | | | Charles de Gaulle, L-1653 Luxembourg, | | | Grand Duchy of Luxembourg; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Azul Holding | Azul Holding S.C.A., a company | | | incorporated in Luxembourg with | | | registration number B131319 and having | | | its registered office at 2, Avenue | | | Charles de Gaulle, L-1653 Luxembourg, | | | Grand Duchy of Luxembourg; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Business Day | a day, not being a public holiday, | | | Saturday or Sunday, on which clearing | | | banks in London are open for normal | | | business; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Canada | Canada, its provinces, territories and | | | all areas subject to its jurisdiction | | | and any political sub-division thereof; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | CEP II Fund | CEP II Managing GP Holdings, Ltd. on | | | behalf of CEP II Managing GP, L.P. and | | | Carlyle Europe Partners II, L.P.; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | CEP III Fund | CEP III Managing GP Holdings, Ltd. on | | | behalf of CEP III Managing GP, L.P. and | | | Carlyle Europe Partners III, L.P.; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | certificated or in | the description of a share or other | | certificated form | security which is not in uncertificated | | | form (that is, not in CREST); | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Channel Islands | The islands of Jersey, Guernsey, | | | Alderney and Sark; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Circular | the circular of the Company dated the | | | same date as the Offer Document | | | relating to certain amendments proposed | | | to be made to the Velosi Option | | | Schemes; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | City Code or Code or | the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers; | | Takeover Code | | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Closing Price | the closing middle market quotation of | | | a Velosi Share on the date concerned as | | | derived from the AIM Appendix to the | | | Daily Official List; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Companies (Jersey) | Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 (as amended | | Law | or re-enacted); | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Competing Offer | (i) an offer for a majority of the | | | issued and to be issued share capital | | | of Velosi by a person other than (a) | | | Azul; and (b) any person acting in | | | concert with Azul (a "third party"); | | | (ii) a scheme of arrangement between | | | the Company and some or all of its | | | members where the effect would be to | | | vest a majority of the issued and to be | | | issued share capital of Velosi in a | | | third party; and (iii) a transaction | | | which involves the transfer to a third | | | party of the whole or substantially the | | | whole of the business and/or assets of | | | the Company or the Velosi Group; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Computershare | Computershare Investor Services PLC, | | | Corporate Actions Projects, the | | | Receiving Agents; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Conditions | the conditions to the Offer, as set out | | | in Appendix I to this announcement; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | connected person | has the meaning given to it in section | | | 252 of the Act; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | CREST | the relevant system (as defined in the | | | CREST Regulations) in respect of which | | | Euroclear is the Operator (as defined | | | in the CREST Regulations); | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | CREST Regulations | the Uncertificated Securities | | | Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3755) as | | | amended; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Daily Official List | the Daily Official List published by | | | the London Stock Exchange; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Disclosed | (i) disclosed in the annual report and | | | accounts of Velosi for the financial | | | year ended 31 December 2009, (ii) | | | disclosed in the interim results of | | | Velosi for the six months ended 30 June | | | 2010, (iii) publicly announced by | | | Velosi (by the delivery of an | | | announcement to a Regulatory | | | Information Service) prior to 9 | | | December 2010, (iv) disclosed in this | | | announcement or (v) otherwise fairly | | | disclosed by or on behalf of Velosi, to | | | the Applus Group or its advisers, prior | | | to 9 December 2010 in the context of | | | the Offer; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Enlarged Group | the combined Applus Group and Velosi | | | Group from the date at which the Offer | | | becomes or is declared wholly | | | unconditional; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Euroclear | Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited | | | (formerly known as CRESTCo Limited); | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Execution Noble | Execution Noble & Company Limited, | | | which is authorised and regulated in | | | the United Kingdom by the Financial | | | Services Authority and has its | | | registered address at 76 George Street, | | | Edinburgh, EH2 3BU; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Form of Acceptance | the form of acceptance and authority | | | relating to the Offer which (where | | | appropriate) will accompany the Offer | | | Document when issued; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | FSA | the UK Financial Services Authority | | | acting in its capacity as the competent | | | authority for the purposes of Part VI | | | of the UK Financial Services and the | | | Markets Act 2000; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Incentive | the arrangements described in paragraph | | Arrangements | 10 of this announcement; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Independent | each of John Anthony Hogan and Marcus | | Directors | John Gregory Stanton, each a Velosi | | | Director and also independent in | | | relation to the Offer; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Inducement Fee | an agreement entered into by Velosi and | | Agreement | Azul on 8 December 2010, as more | | | particularly described in paragraph 14 | | | of this announcement; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Japan | Japan, its cities, prefectures, | | | territories and possessions, and all | | | other areas subject to its jurisdiction | | | and any political sub-division thereof; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | London Stock | London Stock Exchange plc; | | Exchange | | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Luxembourg | the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Management Team | each of Dr Nabil Abdul Jalil, Joseph | | | Thomas Vincent and Dan Ooi Soon Teik; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Material | means likely to lead to: (i) a | | | diminution in the value of the assets | | | of the Velosi Group of at least | | | $13,345,675; (ii) a diminution in the | | | EBITDA of Velosi of at least | | | $3,097,500; or (iii) an increase in | | | liabilities of the Velosi Group of at | | | least $13,345,675 save in circumstances | | | affecting the industry in which the | | | Velosi Group operates, the economy or | | | markets generally; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Offer | the recommended cash offer made on the | | | date of this announcement by Azul at | | | the Offer Price for the entire issued | | | and to be issued ordinary share capital | | | of Velosi on the terms and subject to | | | the conditions set out in the Offer | | | Document and (in respect of | | | certificated Velosi Shares) the Form of | | | Acceptance and, where the context so | | | requires, any subsequent revision, | | | variation, extension or renewal | | | thereof; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Offer Document | the document sent to Velosi | | | Shareholders containing the Offer; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Offer Price | 165 pence in cash per Velosi Share; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Ordinary Shares | ordinary shares of $0.02 each in the | | | capital of Velosi; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Overseas | any person (including an individual, | | Shareholders | partnership, unincorporated syndicate, | | | limited liability company, | | | unincorporated organisation, trust, | | | trustee, executor, administrator or | | | other legal representative) in, or | | | resident in, any Restricted | | | Jurisdiction; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Panel | the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | pence or GBP | the lawful currency of the United | | | Kingdom; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Receiving Agent | Computershare Investor Services PLC, | | | Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol, | | | BS99 6AH, United Kingdom; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Regulatory | one of the regulatory information | | Information Service | services authorised by the Financial | | | Services Authority to receive, process | | | and disseminate regulatory information | | | from listed companies; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Relevant Authority | a government or governmental, | | | quasi-governmental, supranational, | | | statutory or regulatory body, court, | | | authority (including any national | | | anti-trust or merger control authority) | | | or any investigative body; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Relevant Transaction | (i) an offer for more that 10 per cent. | | | of the issued and to be issued share | | | capital of Velosi; (ii) a scheme of | | | arrangement between the Company and | | | some or all of its members the effect | | | of which would be to vest more than 10 | | | per cent. of the issued and to be | | | issued share capital of Velosi in a | | | third party; or (iii) a transaction | | | whereby a third party seeks to acquire | | | all or a material part of the | | | businesses and assets of the Velosi | | | Group taken as a whole; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Restricted | the United States, Canada, Australia | | Jurisdiction | and Japan; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Robert W. Baird | Robert W. Baird Limited, which is | | | authorised and regulated in the United | | | Kingdom by the Financial Services | | | Authority whose registered address is | | | Mint House, 77 Mansell Street, London | | | E1 8AF; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Strand Hanson | Strand Hanson Limited, which is | | | authorised and regulated in the United | | | Kingdom by the Financial Services | | | Authority whose registered address is | | | 26 Mount Row, London W1K 3SQ; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | The Carlyle Group | TC Group, L.L.C. together with its | | | affiliates, collectively known as The | | | Carlyle Group; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | TTE Instruction | a transfer to escrow instruction (as | | | defined in the CREST Manual issued by | | | Euroclear); | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | uncertificated or | recorded on the register of Velosi | | in uncertificated | Shares as being held in uncertificated | | form | form in CREST, entitlement to which, by | | | virtue of the CREST Regulations, may be | | | transferred by means of CREST; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | United Kingdom or UK | the United Kingdom of Great Britain and | | | Northern Ireland and its dependent | | | territories; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | United States, USA | the United States of America, its | | or US | territories and or possessions, any | | | state of the United States and the | | | District of Columbia; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Velosi or the | Velosi Limited, a company incorporated | | Company | and registered in Jersey with | | | registered number 92978 and having its | | | registered office at Walker House, PO | | | Box 72, 28-34 Hill Street, St. Helier, | | | Jersey JE4 5TF Channel Islands; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Velosi Directors or | the Directors of Velosi, being John | | Board | Hogan, Dr. Nabil Abdul Jalil, Joseph | | | Vincent, Dan Ooi Soon Teik and Marcus | | | Stanton; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Velosi Fully Diluted | 53,222,756 Ordinary Shares, which | | Share Capital | comprises 48,384,548 Ordinary Shares | | | and 4,838,208 options; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Velosi Group | Velosi and its subsidiary undertakings | | | from time to time; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Velosi Option | the contracted persons share option | | Schemes | plan adopted by the Company on or | | | around 21 August 2006 and the employee | | | share option plan adopted by the | | | Company on 21 August 2006; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Velosi Share(s) or | the issued and fully paid ordinary | | Velosi | shares of $0.02 each in the capital of | | | Velosi; | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Velosi Shareholders | the holders of Velosi Shares; | | or | | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Shareholders | | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | $ | the lawful currency of the United | | | States. | +----------------------+-----------------------------------------+ In this announcement, the singular includes the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange END OFFTLBFTMBBMMPM
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