07.16.08
Ashland Inc. and Hercules Inc. have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Ashland would acquire all of the outstanding shares of Hercules for $18.60 per share in cash and 0.093 of a share of Ashland common stock for each share of Hercules common stock. The total transaction value is approximately $3.3 billion, or $23.01 per Hercules share based on Ashland’s July 10 closing stock price and including $0.7 billion of net assumed debt. The transaction, which would create a major, global specialty chemicals company, is expected to close by the end of 2008.
Upon the transaction’s close, Ashland will have pro forma combined revenue for the 12 months ended March 31, 2008, of more than $10 billion, including approximately $3.5 billion generated outside North America.
“The acquisition of Hercules fulfills our objective to become a leading specialty chemicals company,” said James J. O’Brien, Ashland’s chairman and CEO. “It creates a defined core for Ashland composed of three specialty chemical businesses with strong market positions and promising global growth potential: specialty additives and ingredients, paper and water technologies, and specialty resins. In addition, we expect our financial profile to be enhanced significantly through reduced earnings volatility, improved profitability and stronger cash flow generation.”
“We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to combine Hercules with Ashland,” Craig Rogerson, Hercules’ president and CEO, said. “Our companies share proud and similar histories of nearly 100 years of innovation, dedication and service. Hercules shareholders will receive a significant premium over the current trading price for their shares and, through their ownership of Ashland shares, the opportunity to participate in the upside potential of the combined company. We look forward to working with Ashland to bring these two great companies together.”
Upon the transaction’s close, Ashland will have pro forma combined revenue for the 12 months ended March 31, 2008, of more than $10 billion, including approximately $3.5 billion generated outside North America.
“The acquisition of Hercules fulfills our objective to become a leading specialty chemicals company,” said James J. O’Brien, Ashland’s chairman and CEO. “It creates a defined core for Ashland composed of three specialty chemical businesses with strong market positions and promising global growth potential: specialty additives and ingredients, paper and water technologies, and specialty resins. In addition, we expect our financial profile to be enhanced significantly through reduced earnings volatility, improved profitability and stronger cash flow generation.”
“We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to combine Hercules with Ashland,” Craig Rogerson, Hercules’ president and CEO, said. “Our companies share proud and similar histories of nearly 100 years of innovation, dedication and service. Hercules shareholders will receive a significant premium over the current trading price for their shares and, through their ownership of Ashland shares, the opportunity to participate in the upside potential of the combined company. We look forward to working with Ashland to bring these two great companies together.”