Exhibit (a)(9)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
GN Netcom, Inc.: GN Netcom, Inc.:
Dean Kacos Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek (general info)
Chief Financial Officer Director, Marketing Communications
(603) 594-4763 (603) 579-5525
GN Netcom Completes Tender Offer for Hello Direct
--Hello Direct will become a subsidiary of GN Netcom--
Nashua, N.H. -- November 8, 2000 -- GN Netcom, a wholly owned subsidiary of GN
Great Nordic Ltd., announced today that its tender offer to purchase all
outstanding shares of Hello Direct, Inc. (Nasdaq: HELO) at $16.40(USD) per
share, net to the seller in cash (excluding any taxes), expired at 12:00
midnight, Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, November 7, 2000. GN Netcom has
accepted for payment all Hello Direct shares validly tendered and not withdrawn
as of the expiration of the offer.
Based on a preliminary count by the depositary for the offer, 4,986,000 shares
of Hello Direct (representing approximately 93.6% of the outstanding shares)
were tendered pursuant to the offer and not withdrawn (including shares
tendered pursuant to a guarantee of delivery). Payment for the shares accepted
for payment is expected to be made promptly.
The tender offer will be followed by a merger of GN Acquisition Corporation, a
wholly owned subsidiary of GN Netcom, with and into Hello Direct. Pursuant to
the merger, those Hello Direct stockholders who did not tender their shares in
the offer and who do not seek appraisal rights of their shares pursuant to
applicable provisions of Delaware law will have their shares converted into the
right to receive $16.40(USD) per share, net to the stockholder in cash
(excluding any taxes). Upon completion of the merger, Hello Direct will become
an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of GN Great Nordic Ltd. GN Netcom plans to
proceed promptly with the steps necessary to complete the merger.
About GN Netcom
GN Netcom is a world leader in hands-free communications technologies.
Specializing in the design and manufacture of high-quality communications
headsets, microphone arrays and related products, the fast-growing company
offers a state-of-the-art product line for both traditional corded and wireless
solutions. By working in close partnership with customers, GN Netcom has become
a leading provider of hands-free solutions to the call center, general office,
mobile and PC applications markets in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
GN Netcom has production facilities in the United States and Europe, and
cooperates with distributors in more than 60 countries around the world.
In August 2000, GN Netcom acquired San Diego-based JABRA Corporation, the
leading and fastest-growing supplier of advanced hands-free headset/earset
products for cellular, desktop and computer applications in the United States.
GN Netcom is part of GN Great Nordic, a Danish based group of companies in the
technology sector. The GN Great Nordic Group is traded on the Copenhagen Stock
Exchange (Reuters: GNTC.CO; Bloomberg: TELN DC) and the London Stock Exchange.
About Hello Direct
Hello Direct, Inc. (Nasdaq: HELO) is a leading developer and business to
business direct marketer of desktop telephony and equipment interface
solutions, including headsets, teleconferencing, wireless, and related desktop
products. Through a combination of distinctive catalogs, outbound
telemarketing, and Internet sales channels, the company offers a broad
selection of commercial grade solutions to its customers' evolving
communications needs. For more information on
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Hello Direct, Inc., please visit www.hellodirect.com, the leading online source
of telecommunications information, products, and services.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed
in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected. Neither GN Netcom nor Hello Direct assumes any obligation
to update information contained in this press release.
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