JBT Corporation Announces Extension of Voluntary Takeover Offer for All Marel hf. Shares

Rhea-AI Summary

JBT has announced an extension of its voluntary takeover offer for all shares of Marel hf., granted by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Iceland. The offer, initially set to expire on September 2, 2024, will now expire on November 11, 2024, or three weeks after securing all required regulatory approvals. This extension allows JBT and Marel to continue pursuing necessary regulatory clearances to close the transaction.

Brian Deck, President and CEO of JBT, stated that the extension aligns with their expected timeline to complete the remaining steps and close the transaction by year-end 2024. Shareholders who have already tendered their Marel shares do not need to take any further action. JBT will issue a press release once all required regulatory clearances are obtained.

Positive

• Extension granted for voluntary takeover offer of Marel hf., allowing more time to secure regulatory approvals
• Transaction expected to close by year-end 2024, in line with company's timeline

Negative

• Delay in closing the transaction due to pending regulatory approvals

Financial Analyst

The extension of JBT 's voluntary takeover offer for Marel hf. shares is a neutral development in the ongoing acquisition process. While it demonstrates JBT's continued commitment to the deal, it also suggests potential regulatory hurdles that need to be overcome. The extension to November 11, 2024, or three weeks after securing regulatory clearances, provides flexibility but also indicates uncertainty in the timeline. For investors, this means a longer waiting period for potential returns from the acquisition. The reassurance that previously tendered shares don't need re-tendering is positive for shareholder convenience. Overall, this news maintains the status quo and doesn't significantly alter the investment outlook for either company in the short term.

Legal Expert

The extension granted by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Iceland highlights the complex regulatory landscape surrounding this cross-border acquisition. The flexible expiration date, contingent on securing all required regulatory clearances, suggests that there may be multiple jurisdictions involved in the approval process. This could include antitrust reviews and foreign investment screenings. The extended timeline allows for thorough regulatory scrutiny, which is important for ensuring compliance and mitigating legal risks. However, it also introduces an element of uncertainty for shareholders and the market. The provision for further extensions 'in accordance with applicable laws' indicates that JBT is prepared for potential additional regulatory challenges, demonstrating prudent legal planning in this high-stakes transaction.

Market Research Analyst

This extension in JBT's takeover offer for Marel reflects the intricate nature of large-scale, international acquisitions in the food technology sector. The move suggests that regulatory bodies are conducting a thorough review, which could be seen as a positive sign for market integrity. However, the prolonged timeline may create some market uncertainty, potentially affecting short-term stock price volatility for both companies. The food tech industry is likely watching this deal closely, as it could signal increased consolidation trends and regulatory scrutiny in the sector. For investors, this extension emphasizes the importance of patience and due diligence when evaluating M&A-driven investment strategies in complex, global industries. The market will be keenly awaiting updates on regulatory clearances, which could serve as key catalysts for both companies' stock performance in the coming months.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- JBT Corporation (NYSE: JBT), a leading global technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food and beverage industry, today announced that the Financial Supervisory Authority of the Central Bank of Iceland (FSA) has granted an extension of the expiration of JBT’s voluntary takeover offer to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Marel hf. (ICL: Marel).

The extension was granted as JBT and Marel continue to pursue the requisite regulatory approvals to close the transaction. The voluntary takeover offer, which was initially scheduled to expire on September 2, 2024, will now expire on the earliest date to occur of either November 11, 2024, or three weeks after the date on which all required regulatory clearances are secured, unless such offer period is further extended in accordance with applicable laws and the terms of the definitive agreement between JBT and Marel. JBT intends to issue a press release promptly following receipt of all required regulatory clearances.

Additionally, shareholders that have previously tendered their Marel shares do not need to re-tender their Marel shares or take any other action in response to the extension of the voluntary takeover offer.

“The extension is consistent with our expected timeline to complete the remaining steps to combine with Marel and close the transaction by year end 2024,” said Brian Deck, President and Chief Executive Officer of JBT.

Transaction Advisors

Goldman Sachs Co LLC is acting as JBT’s financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP and LEX are serving as JBT’s legal counsel. Arion banki hf. is acting as JBT’s lead manager for the Icelandic offer and advising on the Icelandic listing, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V. is acting as JBT’s Euronext Amsterdam Exchange agent.

About JBT Corporation

JBT Corporation (NYSE: JBT) is a leading global technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food & beverage industry. JBT designs, produces and services sophisticated products and systems for a broad range of end markets, generating roughly one-half of its annual revenue from recurring parts, service, rebuilds and leasing operations. JBT employs approximately 5,100 people worldwide and operates sales, service, manufacturing and sourcing operations in more than 25 countries. For more information, please visit www.jbtc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are beyond JBT’s ability to control. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to our business and our results of operations, a potential transaction with Marel, our strategic plans, our restructuring plans and expected cost savings from those plans, and our liquidity. The factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to, the following factors: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination or abandonment of the voluntary takeover offer to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Marel (the “Offer”); the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the proposed transaction with Marel, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals for the Offer that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transaction; the risk that Marel and/or JBT may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the Offer in a timely manner or at all; the risk that the Offer and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of JBT and Marel to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers, and on their operating results and businesses generally; the risk that problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of Marel and JBT, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected; the risk that the combined company may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies or that it may take longer than expected to achieve those synergies; fluctuations in our financial results; unanticipated delays or accelerations in our sales cycles; deterioration of economic conditions, including impacts from supply chain delays and reduced material or component availability; inflationary pressures, including increases in energy, raw material, freight and labor costs; disruptions in the political, regulatory, economic and social conditions of the countries in which we conduct business; changes to trade regulation, quotas, duties or tariffs; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; changes in food consumption patterns; impacts of pandemic illnesses, food borne illnesses and diseases to various agricultural products; weather conditions and natural disasters; the impact of climate change and environmental protection initiatives; acts of terrorism or war, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; termination or loss of major customer contracts and risks associated with fixed-price contracts, particularly during periods of high inflation; customer sourcing initiatives; competition and innovation in our industries; our ability to develop and introduce new or enhanced products and services and keep pace with technological developments; difficulty in developing, preserving and protecting our intellectual property or defending claims of infringement; catastrophic loss at any of our facilities and business continuity of our information systems; cyber-security risks such as network intrusion or ransomware schemes; loss of key management and other personnel; potential liability arising out of the installation or use of our systems; our ability to comply with U.S. and international laws governing our operations and industries; increases in tax liabilities; work stoppages; fluctuations in interest rates and returns on pension assets; a systemic failure of the banking system in the United States or globally impacting our customers’ financial condition and their demand for our goods and services; availability of and access to financial and other resources; the risk factors discussed in our proxy statement/prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on June 25, 2024 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”), forming part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-279438) (the “Registration Statement”), initially filed by us on May 15, 2024 and declared effective on June 25, 2024; and other factors described under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in JBT’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. JBT cautions shareholders and prospective investors that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. JBT undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments, subsequent events or changes in circumstances or otherwise.

Important Notices

This release is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. In particular, this release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States, Iceland, the Netherlands or Denmark.

Note to U.S. Shareholders

It is important that U.S. shareholders understand that the Offer and any related offer documents are subject to disclosure and takeover laws and regulations in Iceland and other European jurisdictions, which may be different from those of the United States. The Offer will be made in compliance with the U.S. tender offer rules, including Regulation 14E under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any exemption available to JBT in respect of securities of foreign private issuers provided by Rule 14d-1(d) under the Exchange Act.

Important Additional Information

No offer of JBT securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or an exemption from registration, and applicable European regulations, including the Icelandic Prospectus Act no. 14/2020 and the Icelandic Takeover Act no. 108/2007 on takeovers. In connection with the Offer, JBT filed with the SEC the Registration Statement that included the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on June 25, 2024. Additionally, JBT filed with the FSA an offer document and a prospectus, which have been approved by the FSA and which have been published.

SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, THE PROSPECTUS, AND THE OFFER DOCUMENT, AS APPLICABLE, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC OR THE FSA CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about JBT, without charge, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and on JBT’s website at https://ir.jbtc.com/overview/default.aspx. You may obtain a free copy of the prospectus on the FSA’s website at www.fme.is and on JBT’s website at https://www.jbtc.com/jbt-marel-offer-launch/ as well as a free copy of the offer document.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240825950938/en/

Investors & Media:

Marlee Spangler

(312) 861-5789

marlee.spangler@jbtc.com

Source: JBT Corporation

FAQ

When is the new expiration date for JBT's takeover offer of Marel hf. shares?

The new expiration date is November 11, 2024, or three weeks after securing all required regulatory approvals, whichever comes first.

Do Marel shareholders who have already tendered their shares need to take any action due to the offer extension?

No, shareholders who have previously tendered their Marel shares do not need to re-tender or take any other action in response to the extension.

When does JBT (NYSE: JBT) expect to close the transaction with Marel hf.?

JBT expects to close the transaction with Marel hf. by year-end 2024, according to the company's CEO, Brian Deck.

What is the reason for the extension of JBT's takeover offer for Marel hf. shares?

The extension was granted to allow JBT and Marel to continue pursuing the requisite regulatory approvals necessary to close the transaction.