NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS IN THAT JURISDICTION
Amsterdam, 17 December 2007 - Heineken and Carlsberg (the "Consortium") note the Takeover Panel's recent announcement.
Heineken and Carlsberg said: "We welcome the introduction of a timetable. It will focus all parties on the merits of our proposal and consequences of S&N shareholders missing out on a value creating transaction. We urge S&N to open talks with us as soon as possible so we can agree the terms of a formal recommended offer, by the deadline of 12 noon on 21 January 2008."
This announcement does not constitute an announcement of a firm intention to make an offer under Rule 2.5 of the Code. There can be no certainty that any offer will be made even if the pre-conditions to our proposal (all of which are waivable) are satisfied or waived.
Press enquiries
Véronique Schyns
Tel: +31 (0)20 52 39 355
veronique.schyns@heineken.com
Investor and analyst enquiries
Jan van de Merbel
Tel: +31 (0)20 52 39 590
investors@heineken.com
Financial adviser and Corporate Broker to the Consortium and to Heineken
Credit Suisse
Bertrand Facon
Stuart Upcraft
James Leigh Pemberton (Corporate Broking)
Tel: +44 20 7888 8888
Lehman Brothers Europe Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively as financial adviser and corporate broker to the Consortium and Carlsberg and no one else in connection with the possible offer referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Consortium and Carlsberg for providing the protections afforded to clients of Lehman Brothers Europe Limited nor for providing advice in relation to this announcement or any matter referred to herein.
Credit Suisse, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for the Consortium and Heineken and no one else in connection with the possible offer referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Consortium and Heineken for providing the protections afforded to clients of Credit Suisse nor for providing advice in relation to this announcement or any matter referred to herein.
Dealing Disclosure Requirements
Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code"), if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of "relevant securities" of S&N plc, all "dealings" in any "relevant securities" of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of S&N plc, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevant securities" of S&N plc by Carlsberg or Heineken or S&N, or by any of their respective "associates", must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.
A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevant securities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
"Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.
Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel.
This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute or form part of an offer or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction.
