STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Aug. 20, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Shareholders in AB Custos (publ) ("Custos") (Other OTC:CUSTF) have submitted 804,767 shares in Custos for redemption through the redemption offer that expired on August 14, 2002.
A total value of SEK 244.61 millions will be transferred to Custos shareholders, which corresponds to SEK 3041 per redeemed share.
Acceptance of the redemption offer
An Extraordinary General Meeting in Custos on June 26, 2002 voted to approve the redemption offer in Custos. Persons who on the record date of July 1, 2002 were shareholders in Custos received one redemption right for each Custos share held. Ten redemption rights carried entitlement to redemption of one Custos share with payment in the form of 14 Pergo shares plus SEK 80 in cash for every redeemed Custos share. The redemption offer involved a total of 821,426 shares in Custos corresponding to a total value of SEK 249.71 millions.
The application period for the redemption offer expired on August 14, 2002. A total of 804,767 shares in Custos were tendered in the redemption offer and a total value of SEK 244.6 1) millions will be transferred to the shareholders. Accordingly, the degree of acceptance by those shareholders who redeemed shares by means of redemption rights was 98.0%. Contingent upon the completion of this redemption program, the number of Custos shares outstanding will amount to 7,406,199 2).
Trading in redemption shares and delivery of redemption payment
Trading in Custos redemption shares begins on August 23, 2002 and concludes around September 6, 2002. Redemption shares will be redeemed for payment in the form of 14 Pergo shares plus SEK 80 in cash per redemption share after the requisite decisions have been implemented and registrated with PRV.
Delivery of the redemption payment is expected to occur on or about September 18, 2002.
Commission-free sales
The average sales proceeds in the commission-free sale of redemption rights amounted to SEK 8.76 per redemption right. The considerations paid for the redemption rights sold through the commission-free sale procedure were reported to the shareholders about August 16, 2002.
Stockholm, August 20, 2002
AKTIEBOLAGET CUSTOS (publ)
Mikael Nachemson Chief Executive Officer
For further information, contact Mikael Nachemson (+46 8 440 57 70)
This notice is published in Swedish and English. In the event of any difference between the English version and the Swedish original, the Swedish version shall govern.
Custos' homepage : www.custos.se
Based on the closing price paid for a Pergo share on August 19, 2002, which was SEK 16. Assuming that the synthetic repurchased shares are redeemed.
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The following files are available for download:
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/08/20/20020820BIT00990/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/08/20/20020820BIT00990/wkr0002.pdf