French company Eiffage acquires a further 13.71% of the Getlink shares, increasing its shares to 18.79% of Getlink's share capital and has become its largest shareholder.
Getlink SE (Euronext Paris: GET) is, through its subsidiary Eurotunnel, the concession holder for the infrastructure of the Channel Tunnel until 2086. Eurotunnel operates Truck and Passenger Shuttle services (cars and coaches) between Folkestone (UK) and Calais (France).
Eiffage media release says;
Following the settlement which should occur within two working days of the conclusion of the agreement, the Block will be added to the 5.08% acquired in 2018 and Eiffage will hold 18.79% of Getlink's share capital and become its largest shareholder.
Getlink is the concession company of the Channel Tunnel until 2086, a major mobility, trade and electricity transmission infrastructure in Europe.
This operation is part of the Group's strategy to diversify its concession portfolio in its target territories. Already strong with numerous concessions or transport infrastructure partnership contracts, Eiffage is extending, through this acquisition, the duration of its portfolio while strengthening its participation in a key player in the decarbonization of transport in Europe.
Eiffage is a renowned industrial in the rail and mobility markets in Europe. The Group participated in the civil engineering works of the Channel Tunnel and takes part today in the construction of the Euralpin Lyon-Turin Tunnel. It is involved in numerous track-laying, electrical, ventilation and monitoring packages as part of the Grand Paris Express and is modernising the signalling on the Paris-Lyon high-speed line.
Eiffage is also the concessionaire and maintainer of the Bretagne-Pays de la Loire high-speed line, carried out in design-build by all the Group's businesses.
Eiffage supports Getlink's current strategy and will seek the appointment of a number of directors consistent with its capital holding.
Shareholder since 2018, Eiffage intends being a long-term investor in Getlink and reserves the right to continue its purchases depending on market conditions. However, Eiffage indicates that it does not plan to file a public offer on the balance of the capital.
This significant investment of 1,194 million euros (15.84 euros per share) was financed by Eiffage from its available cash and is not subject to any conditions. In the future, the Group could structure financing around its stake in Getlink.
If Eiffage were to sale the Block within eighteen months of its acquisition, part of the capital gain would be paid back to the Seller.
Getlink, releases;
Getlink welcomes Eiffage support for its strategy
Getlink notes the announcement, on Wednesday October 26, by Eiffage, that it had entered into the process of acquiring the shares held by TCI Fund Management Limited (TCI) with a view to becoming the Group's largest shareholder, with 18.79% of the capital.
Jacques Gounon, Chairman of Getlink stated: “This strengthening of the Eiffage position is the logical continuation of the interest they have shown in the very high quality Getlink asset since 2018. I am delighted to welcome Eiffage as a major shareholder and would like to thank TCI for having supported our strategic objectives and, in particular, for having provided such significant support for our positioning as an environmental investment.
cover tunnel photo by: Matt Brown from London, England / CC BY
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