D.E MASTER BLENDERS 1753 announces that it was approached by JAB regarding a potential public offer for all the Company`s issued and outstanding ordinary shares. The price per ordinary D.E MASTER BLENDERS 1753 share currently indicated by JAB is € 12.75 (cum dividend) on a fully diluted basis, subject to the satisfactory outcome of due diligence, agreement on the transaction terms, corporate and other approvals, and certain pre-offer and offer conditions being fulfilled.
The Company`s Board has, on the basis of JAB`s non-binding proposal, agreed to allow JAB and its advisers to conduct due diligence. This due diligence is pending. The negotiations are in an early stage. At this time it is uncertain whether the negotiations with JAB will result in a conditional agreement on a potential full public offer for all issued and outstanding ordinary shares in D.E MASTER BLENDERS 1753 by JAB and, if so, at what price and under which conditions.
Consistent with its fiduciary duty, the Board of D.E MASTER BLENDERS 1753 is carefully evaluating JAB`s non-binding proposal. With respect to the decision making, the Company`s Board will give due consideration to a proper decision making process, which includes avoiding any (potential) conflict of interest by executives, and in its decision making will take the interests of all stakeholders, including the shareholders, into full consideration.
Further announcements will be made if and when required.
Joh. A. Benckiser comprises a privately-owned affiliated group of companies focused on long term investments in companies with premium brands in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods category. The JAB-group`s portfolio includes a majority stake in Coty Inc., a global leader in beauty, a majority stake in Peet`s Coffee & Tea Inc., a premier specialty coffee and tea company, a majority stake in Caribou Coffee, a specialty retailer of high-quality premium coffee products, a minority stake in Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC, a global leader in health, hygiene and home products and a minority investment in D.E MASTER BLENDERS 1753 N.V., an international coffee and tea company. JAB also owns Labelux, a luxury leather goods company with brands such as Jimmy Choo, Bally and Belstaff. The assets of the group are overseen by its three senior partners, Peter Harf, Bart Becht and Olivier Goudet.
