SOLNA, Sweden, Dec. 10, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- In the discussions that preceded Ramirent's offer for Altima, NCC agreed to extend the term of the existing cooperation agreement between the parties from three to five years on condition that the merger of Ramirent and Altima is completed.
In the listing prospectus prepared in connection with the spin-off of Altima shares and which was made public on Thursday, November 27, it is stated that Altima and the NCC Group have concluded a three-year cooperation agreement. In accordance with this agreement, Altima guarantees to supply a modern range of machinery and equipment to NCC on customary market terms. It is also stated in the prospectus that Altima's Danish subsidiary, Altima A/S, has limited liability as a result of the legal demerger of Danish operations that NCC implemented during 2002. Moreover, it is stated in the prospectus that Altima is aware that certain of its properties are subject to pollution.
In the discussions that preceded Ramirent's offer for Altima, NCC also agreed, on condition that the merger is completed, to indemnify Altima in the event of any claims resulting from the demerger in Denmark and for any liability resulting from environmental claims pertaining to the properties taken over from NCC, assuming that the liability exceeds SEK 7 million. This liability is time limited to seven years.
In NCC's opinion, these measures will not result in an increase in the Group's risk exposure.
Press conferences due to the merger of Ramirent and Altima will be held today in Helsinki at World Trade Center, Marski Hall at 09.45 a.m. Finnish time and in Stockholm at 2 p.m. Swedish time in Nordstjernan's offices at Stureplan 3.
All of NCC's press releases are available on www.ncc.info
NCC is one of the leading construction and property development companies in the Nordic region. NCC had in 2002 sales of SEK 45 billion, with 25,000 employees.
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