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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 11, 1999
Alcan Aluminium Limited
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(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Canada
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-3677 Inapplicable
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Commission File Number (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1188 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 3G2
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(Address of principal executive offices, including postal code)
(514) 848-8000
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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ITEM 5. Other Events
The information set forth in the press release issued by Alcan Aluminium
Limited, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, is incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
99.1 Press release of Alcan Aluminium Limited, dated August 11, 1999
99.2 Cautionary Statement for purposes of the "Safe Harbor" provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ALCAN ALUMINIUM LIMITED
By: /s/ Serge Fecteau
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Serge Fecteau
Assistant Secretary
Date: August 11, 1999
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EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number Description
- ----------- -----------
<S> <C>
(99.1) Press release of Alcan Aluminium Limited dated August 11, 1999.
(99.2) Cautionary statement for purposes of the "Safe Harbor" provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
</TABLE>
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EXHIBIT NO. 99.1 DATED AUGUST 11, 1999
PRESS RELEASE OF ALCAN ALUMINIUM LIMITED
THREE-WAY AGREEMENT REACHED
ALCAN, PECHINEY AND ALGROUP ANNOUNCE PROPOSED MERGER
TO FORM WORLD'S LARGEST ALUMINIUM COMPANY
AND GLOBAL LEADER IN BOTH FLEXIBLE AND SPECIALTY PACKAGING
- - Merger of three companies with combined 1998 sales and operating revenues
of $21.6 billion.
- - The combined equity capitalization of the merging companies was
approximately $19 billion as of market close yesterday.
- - World's largest aluminium company with combined 1998 aluminium and trading
revenues of $17.4 billion.
- - Most sustainable low-cost position in primary aluminium with complementary
aluminium fabrication systems in all major global end uses, serving
customers in industries such as aerospace, transport, automotive and
beverage can.
- - The global leader in both flexible and specialty packaging with combined
1998 packaging revenues of $4.2 billion.
- - $600 million in estimated annual cost synergies to be substantially
achieved within two years, above and beyond profit improvement initiatives
already underway at each of the companies.
- - This three-way merger will be accomplished through two independent exchange
offers which the parties have agreed will be initiated by Alcan. The
exchange ratios to be offered have been set at 1.7816 Alcan shares for each
Pechiney A share and 20.6291 Alcan shares for each algroup share. In
addition, Pechiney intends to pay a special dividend to its shareholders at
the time of, and conditional upon, completion of the Alcan offer for the
Pechiney shares. This special dividend, together with Pechiney's annual
dividend including the payment by the company of the "precompte" tax, will
represent to its shareholders a gross amount of approximately $550 million
aggregate or $6.77 per share.
- - On completion of the three-way merger with the two offers being fully
accepted, the new combined company will be held 44% by Alcan shareholders,
29% by Pechiney shareholders and 27% by algroup shareholders.
- - algroup will demerge its specialty chemicals and energy businesses to
shareholders prior to the merger being effected, and the demerged company
will be debt free with $280 million in cash. Of this $280 million,
approximately $170 million represents a special payment incident to the
three-way merger, conditional upon completion of the three way merger.
- - The new group will be led by Mr. Jacques Bougie as Chief Executive Officer
and Mr. Jean-Pierre Rodier as President and Chief Operating Officer.
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- - A Canadian corporation with legal headquarters in Montreal and regional
headquarters in Europe. Office of the CEO will be in New York City.
- - Targeted time frame of approximately six months for completion.
MONTREAL, CANADA; PARIS, FRANCE; AND ZURICH, SWITZERLAND -- Alcan (NYSE,
TSE: AL), Pechiney (NYSE, PARIS: PY) and algroup (SWX: ALUN), today jointly
announced that they have reached agreement on the principal terms of a proposed
merger of the three companies. This three-way merger will create the world's
largest aluminium company and the global leader in both flexible and specialty
packaging.
The combined company, which will temporarily be referred to as
Alcan-Pechiney-algroup (A.P.A.), will be a Canadian corporation. Its legal
headquarters will be in Montreal with regional headquarters in Europe. The
office of the CEO will be in New York City. A.P.A. employs approximately
91,000 people in 59 countries around the world to serve increasingly global as
well as regional customers. On a combined basis, excluding American National Can
(NYSE: CAN), recently divested by Pechiney, and algroup's chemicals business, to
be demerged, A.P.A had total combined 1998 sales and operating revenues of
approximately $21.6 billion, pre- interest and tax profits of $1.5 billion and
total capital employed of $14.0 billion. A.P.A. will be listed on the New York,
Toronto, Paris, Zurich and London Stock Exchanges. Alcan is a member of the
Standard & Poor's 500 index.
The three-way merger will be accomplished through two independent exchange
offers, which the parties have agreed will be initiated by Alcan subject to
approval of the new share issuance by Alcan's shareholders. Pechiney
shareholders will be entitled to receive 1.7816 Alcan ordinary shares for each
Pechiney A share, 1.9598 for each preferred share and 0.8908 for each American
Depository Receipt. Algroup shareholders will be entitled to receive 20.6291
Alcan ordinary shares for each algroup registered share. Subject to the approval
of the shareholders meeting, Pechiney will pay a special dividend to its
shareholders at the time of, and conditional upon, completion of the offer for
the Pechiney shares. This special dividend, together with Pechiney's usual
annual dividend including the payment by the company of the "precompte" tax,
will represent a gross amount of approximately US$550 million aggregate or
US$6.77 per share.
On completion of the three-way merger and assuming full acceptance of the
exchange offers, Alcan shareholders will hold approximately 44%, Pechiney
shareholders will hold approximately 29%, and algroup shareholders will hold
approximately 27%, on a fully diluted
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basis, of the share capital of A.P.A. The parties intend that the exchange
offers for the shares of Pechiney and algroup be launched and completed within
approximately six months, subject to regulatory requirements, approval of the
new share issuance by Alcan's shareholders and other customary conditions.
Separately, algroup today announced that it is demerging 100% of its
chemicals and energy businesses to existing shareholders in a tax-free
transaction, and the de-merged company will be debt free with approximately $280
million in cash. Of this $280 million, approximately $170 million represents a
special payment incident to the three-way merger, conditional upon completion of
the three-way merger. This demerger will be effected in advance of the
completion of the exchange offer for the shares of algroup. The chemicals
business represented approximately 21% of algroup's 1998 revenues. As previously
announced, Pechiney recently sold 54.5% of its beverage can business (American
National Can) through an initial public offering. The remaining 45.5 % stake is
expected to be divested by A.P.A. in due course.
Jacques Bougie, President and CEO of Alcan, said: "This industry redefining
combination will create great value for the shareholders of all three companies.
It will establish the new world leader in aluminium, with complementary
operations and technologies, a sustainable superior low-cost position in primary
aluminium, superior aluminium fabricating positions globally, and superior
positioning for future low-cost growth and expansion. It will also create the
world's leading flexible and specialty packaging business. The consolidation of
the three companies will permit us to realize more than $600 million in
potential annual synergies, over and above existing profit improvement
programmes already underway at all three companies."
Added Jean-Pierre Rodier, Chairman and CEO of Pechiney: "This is a bold and
logical step in two consolidating industries. It creates an exciting new vehicle
for our shareholders and allows Pechiney to develop its primary aluminium
business beyond its existing base and to optimize its overall fabricating
position. The new company will also benefit by having balanced revenues from
Europe and North America. Additionally, combining Pechiney and algroup's highly
complementary packaging businesses creates the global leader in flexible and
specialty packaging with a strong financial base and leading positions in
attractive growth business areas including pharmaceuticals, food and cosmetics."
Said Sergio Marchionne, CEO of algroup: "This is an exceptional opportunity
for our shareholders who will have the opportunity to participate in the upside
of a new global
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powerhouse in both aluminium and packaging. In addition to realizing significant
synergies, the merger will optimize A.P.A's use of capital and is expected to
achieve significantly improved returns on invested capital."
A BOLD STEP THAT REDEFINES TWO GLOBAL INDUSTRIES
With complementary operations and leading technologies in primary metals
and aluminium fabrication, A.P.A. will be the world's largest aluminium company,
with combined pro forma 1998 aluminium and trading segment revenues of $17.4
billion. The company will have a unique strategic position in the global
marketplace.
PRIMARY ALUMINIUM
A.P.A. will be the world's largest low-cost primary producer:
- - 11 bauxite mines and 10 alumina refineries
- - 27 smelters on 6 continents
- - Control of 3.3 million tonnes of global smelting capacity (including under
construction)
- - 2 million tonnes of smelting capacity in lowest third of cost curve
(including under construction)
FABRICATED ALUMINIUM
A.P.A. will also be the world's largest aluminium rolling company:
- - 45 Sheet/Light gauge facilities on 4 continents; 2,733 kt shipments in 1998
- - 24 other fabrication facilities: 435 kt other fabricated product shipments
in 1998
- - Leading supplier to key industries such as aerospace, automotive, other
transport, and beverage can
- - World class facilities in each of the world's major market regions (North
America, Europe, Asia and South America)
The merger will enable A.P.A. to pool technological expertise, customer
knowledge and know-how in rolled products, thereby better serving customers.
In the automotive industry, where the use of aluminium is fastest growing, the
combined company will be a world leader in serving customers in both North
America and Europe. In aerospace, A.P.A. will also be a leading player with
strong customer relationships worldwide. In can sheet, which is the largest
application for aluminium sheet, A.P.A. will be a significant industry leader.
ALUMINIUM TECHNOLOGY
A.P.A. will set the global standard in R&D and new product development, with
leadership positions in several key areas including:
- - Alumina refining
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- - Smelting cell technology
- - Aluminium rolling
- - Automotive applications
- - Continuous strip caster technologies
FLEXIBLE AND SPECIALTY PACKAGING
The merger also creates a significant world leader in both flexible and
specialty packaging with combined 1998 sales of $4.2 billion. By bringing
together two best-in-class packaging companies, A.P.A. will have leading
positions in each of its chosen business areas. Key operating metrics of the
combined packaging business are as follows:
- - #1 supplier to PHARMACEUTICAL customers
- - #1 supplier to PERSONAL CARE customers
- - #1 supplier to FOOD FLEXIBLES customers
- - #1 supplier to COSMETICS customers
- - #2 supplier to TOBACCO PACKAGING customers
- - Geographically balanced with approximately half of combined revenues coming
from each of Europe and North America
- - 159 facilities globally
The combined packaging business will provide A.P.A. with significant earnings
power and a platform from which the combined company can aggressively pursue
opportunities.
COMPELLING FOR CUSTOMERS
Customers of the aluminium and specialty packaging industries are
themselves consolidating while also becoming increasingly global in terms of the
scope of their operations. These larger, more global customers, as well as
regional customers, are seeking full service suppliers with the scale to meet
their needs. Aluminium customers will benefit from working with a company that
has a sustainable low-cost position, superior R&D and technological
capabilities, and the capacity and reach to address aluminium fabrication needs
in any region. Packaging customers will benefit from A.P.A.'s position as the
leading supplier in virtually all of its chosen areas of business. As the most
global aluminium and specialty packaging company, A.P.A. will be positioned to
work with customers anywhere in the world to address their needs with existing
products and the development of new technologies and applications.
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COMPELLING FOR SHAREHOLDERS
The managements of all three companies are committed to this three-way
merger and to quickly capturing the additional potential value it creates for
their shareholders. It is expected that the combination will realise over $600
million in annual cost savings that will be substantially achieved within 24
months of closing. The main sources of the synergies are from a reduction of
selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A), purchasing and optimizing
R&D efforts as well as plant operations. Roughly 80 % will be generated from the
aluminium operations with the remainder derived from packaging.
- - SG&A and Purchasing -- Savings potential in combining various corporate and
head office functions, trading, sales, distribution and staff support.
Substantial purchasing synergies.
- - Operations and R&D -- Savings through optimization of production and
reloading of facilities, extension of production runs and improvement of
customer lead-time. Combining research facilities, technical services and
IT functions.
The preliminary estimates of the synergies include the possible reduction
of approximately 5% of the combined global workforce. The one-time cash cost
of achieving these synergies will be approximately $600 million.
The published accounts of A.P.A. will be prepared in US Dollars in
accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and
with US GAAP reconciliation. A.P.A. expects to account for the merger, assuming
completion, using the pooling of interests method under Canadian GAAP. A.P.A.
will use EVA(TM) as a key measure of performance and value creation
for shareholders.
Combined Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization
(EBITDA) for A.P.A. for 1998 at an average aluminium metal price of
$1,380 per tonne on the London Metals Exchange (LME), and excluding businesses
that have since been disposed, on a pro-forma basis, totaled $2.5 billion.
With expected annual synergies of $600 million pre-tax, in addition to the
earnings improvement programmes in place at each of the companies, the objective
of A.P.A. is to achieve EBITDA by the year 2002 of $4.2 billion at a metal price
of $1380 per tonne. This represents a pre-tax improvement of approximately
$3.40 per share on the proposed share capital of A.P.A. For every $100 per tonne
change in the metal price, A.P.A. would have a $330 million pre-tax impact
on profits.
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CLEAR MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP AND TALENTED POOL OF EMPLOYEES
A.P.A. will be able to draw on a pool of global talent with approximately
91,000 employees in 59 countries. A.P.A. will be led by the Chief Executive
Officer, Jacques Bougie, and the President and Chief Operating Officer,
Jean-Pierre Rodier.
Upon completion of the three way merger, the Board will be composed of the
following twelve members drawn equally from the three companies:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALCAN NOMINEES PECHINEY NOMINEES ALGROUP NOMINEES
- -------------- ----------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Mr. Jacques Bougie Mr. Etienne Davignon Mr. Martin Ebner
Mr. Travis Engen Mr. Jean-Francois Dehecq Mr. Rupert Gasser
Dr. John R. Evans Mr. Yves Mansion Mr. Willi Kerth
Mr. Guy Saint-Pierre Mr. Jean-Pierre Rodier Mr. Sergio Marchionne
</TABLE>
Dr. Evans will be acting as non-Executive Chairman of A.P.A. In addition, the
three board committees will be chaired as follows: Governance (Dr. Evans); Audit
(Mr. Mansion) and Human Resources and Compensation (Mr. Marchionne).
It is intended that Mr. Bougie will retire as CEO after about two years, when
the successful integration of the three companies is expected to have been
completed. It is intended that Mr. Rodier will then take over as CEO.
This combination of complementary businesses, management experience, skilled
employees and strong professional cultures will enable the employees of all
three companies to be part of a more dynamic global enterprise and to benefit
from significant opportunities for growth and development.
TRANSACTION PROCESS
Today's announcement has been made on the basis of a Memorandum of
Understanding ("MoU") that has been entered into by three companies, having been
approved by their boards. Alcan and algroup have also entered into a definitive
two-way combination agreement, and it
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is expected that, following consultations to take place shortly with the
relevant Pechiney's Workers Councils of France, the parties will enter into a
definitive three-way combination agreement. The initial two-way combination
agreement provides for aggregate break-up fees of $100 million with the
three-way agreement expected to provide for total break-up fees of $150 million.
The two offers by Alcan will be subject to the approval by its shareholders
of the new shares to be issued. The launching and completion of the offers will
be subject to various conditions including regulatory clearances, and each of
the two offers will provide for a minimum acceptance threshold of 67%. However,
neither of the two exchange offers will be conditional upon the completion of
the other. Consequently, a possible outcome is that only one of the two offers
would be completed.
Algroup intends to effect a tax-free demerger of 100% of its chemicals
business to existing shareholders. The demerger is required to be completed
prior to the completion of the exchange offer for algroup.
The parties have a target time frame of approximately six months for the
completion of all aspects of the merger.
Alcan was advised by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Pechiney was advised by
Credit Suisse First Boston and Rothschild & Cie. and algroup was advised by
Goldman Sachs International.
The statements contained in this press release, particularly those regarding
synergies, performance, costs, divestments, and growth are or may be forward
looking statements and reflect each management's current analysis and
expectations, based on reasonable assumptions. Actual results may differ
materially from the statements made depending on a variety of factors, including
business climate, economic and competitive uncertainties, higher manufacturing
costs, reduced level of customer orders, risks in developing new products and
technologies, environmental and safety regulations and clean-up costs, obtaining
final regulatory approvals in a timely manner and in expected form, whether or
not either or both of the two exchange offers are completed and the successful
integration of the operations of each of the three companies.
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Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward looking statements are contained in
the relevant securities regulatory filings and financial statements of each of
the respective companies.
This press release does not constitute an offering of securities, which may be
made by prospectus only.
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EXHIBIT NO. 99.2
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS
OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
Written or oral statements made by Alcan or its representatives, including
statements set forth in Alcan's press release issued on August 11, 1999, which
describe the Company's or management's objectives, projections, estimates,
expectations or predictions of the future may be "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such
as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "estimates," "anticipates" or
the negative thereof or other variations thereon. The Company cautions that, by
their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty and that
the Company's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or
implied in such forward-looking statements or could affect the extent to which a
particular projection is realized.
Important factors which could cause the Company's actual performance to differ
materially from projections or expectations included in forward-looking
statements include global aluminum supply and demand conditions, aluminum ingot
prices and changes in other raw materials costs and availability, cyclical
demand and pricing within the principal markets for the Company's products,
changes in government regulations, particularly those affecting environmental,
health or safety compliance, economic developments and other factors within the
countries in which the Company operates or sells its products and other factors
relating to the Company's ongoing operations including, but not limited to,
litigation, labour negotiations and fiscal regimes.
Copies of the Company's filings may be obtained by contacting the Company or the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
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