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ZEDER INVESTMENTS LIMITED - Category 1 Disposal Announcement

Release Date: 19/07/2019 08:45
Code(s): ZED     PDF:  
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Category 1 Disposal Announcement

ZEDER INVESTMENTS LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number: 2006/019240/06)
Share code: ZED
ISIN: ZAE000088431
(“Zeder” or “the Company”)

CATEGORY 1 DISPOSAL ANNOUNCEMENT

1.  INTRODUCTION

1.1.  Shareholders of Zeder (“Shareholders”) are referred to the joint announcement of firm
      intention released by Pioneer Food Group Limited (“Pioneer Foods”), PepsiCo Inc
      (“PepsiCo”) and Simba Proprietary Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of PepsiCo,
      (“PepsiCo Offeror”) on SENS today (“Firm Intention Announcement”), in which it
      was announced that Pioneer Foods and PepsiCo have entered into a transaction
      implementation agreement pursuant to which the PepsiCo Offeror has delivered notice
      to Pioneer Foods of its firm intention to make an offer to acquire the issued ordinary
      shares of Pioneer Foods (“Pioneer Ordinary Shares”), by way of a scheme of
      arrangement (“Scheme”) in terms of section 114 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008
      (“Companies Act”) or a general offer (“Standby Offer”), at a cash consideration of
      ZAR110 (one hundred and ten Rand) (“Base Price”) plus certain dividend(s) per
      Pioneer Ordinary Share (the detail of which is set out in paragraph 4 below).

1.2.  The aforementioned offer made by the PepsiCo Offeror, which is set out in more detail
      in the Firm Intention Announcement, is referred to as the “Transaction”.

1.3.  The Base Price per Pioneer Ordinary Share, represents a premium of 56.5% (fifty six
      point five per cent) to the 30-day volume weighted average traded price of Pioneer
      Ordinary Shares of ZAR70.31 (seventy Rand and thirty one cents), as at 12 July 2019,
      being the last trading date prior to the date on which the Pioneer Foods cautionary
      announcement was published on SENS.

1.4.  Zeder, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Zeder Financial Services Limited, holds
      58 250 788 (fifty eight million two hundred and fifty thousand seven hundred and eighty
      eight) Pioneer Ordinary Shares (“Disposal Shares”) equivalent to 28.23% (twenty
      eight point two three per cent) of the Pioneer Foods shares entitled to vote on the
      Scheme and the related Transaction resolutions.

1.5.  Shareholders are advised that, Zeder, PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Offeror have
      concluded an irrevocable undertaking (“Irrevocable Undertaking”), in terms of which
      Zeder has undertaken in favour of PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Offeror, subject to the
      conditions precedent set out in paragraph 6.1 below (“Irrevocable Undertaking
      Conditions”), to vote in its capacity as a shareholder of Pioneer Foods, in person or
      by proxy, all of the Disposal Shares in favour of the resolutions required and proposed
      by Pioneer Foods to approve the Scheme and the Transaction and to accept the
      Standby Offer, if made, which will result in Zeder disposing of the Disposal Shares to
      the extent that the Scheme or the Standby Offer becomes unconditional and are
      implemented (“Zeder Disposal”).

1.6.  To the extent that the Zeder Disposal is implemented at the Base Price, it is anticipated
      that Zeder will receive approximately ZAR6.4 billion (six point four billion Rand) through
      the disposal of the Disposal Shares.

2.  DESCRIPTION OF PIONEER FOODS

2.1.  Pioneer Foods was incorporated in 1996 and listed on the JSE Limited (“JSE”) in 2008.
      Pioneer Foods is the second largest listed fast-moving consumer goods company in
      South African based on market capitalisation, producing and distributing a range of
      branded food and beverage products. Pioneer Foods and its subsidiaries (“Pioneer
      Food Group”) operates mainly across South Africa, providing wholesale, retail and
      informal trade customers with products of a consistently high standard. Pioneer Foods
      exports to more than 60 (sixty) countries across the globe.

2.2.  The Pioneer Food Group operates a number of world-class production facilities
      producing a range of products that includes some of the most recognisable and best
      loved brand names in South Africa, including the following power brands: Weet-Bix,
      Liqui-Fruit, Ceres, Sasko, Safari, Spekko and White Star.

2.3.  The Pioneer Food Group has three main segments, namely:

2.3.1.   Essential Foods

         The Essential Foods division (i) manufactures wheat and maize products such as
         pasta; (ii) packs rice, beans and other dried vegetables; and (iii) has large bakery
         operations.

2.3.2.   Pioneer Foods Groceries

         Pioneer Foods Groceries Proprietary Limited produces breakfast cereals, rusks,
         cake mixes, baking aids, dried fruit products, nuts, sweet and savoury spreads,
         processed salads, carbonated soft drinks, long-life fruit juices, fruit concentrate
         mixtures and dairy fruit blends.

2.3.3.   International

         The International division comprises a well-established fruit juice and industrial dried
         fruit export business with a footprint across Africa, Europe, North America, Asia and
         the Middle East. Furthermore, the division manages in-country breakfast cereals
         and fruit snacking operations in the United Kingdom, as well as joint venture bakery
         operations in Nigeria and milling and distribution joint ventures in Namibia and
         Botswana.

         The equity-accounted, joint venture investments based in South Africa, Nigeria,
         Botswana, Kenya and Namibia do not form part of the Pioneer Food Group’s
         segmental results, but are managed by its international division. These include
         Heinz Foods SA (100%), Bowman Ingredients South Africa (50%), Bokomo
         Namibia (50%), Bokomo Botswana (50%), Food Concepts Pioneer Limited, Nigeria
         (64%), Alpen Food Company SA (50%), Future Life Health Products (50%), and
         Weetabix East Africa (49.8%).

3.  RATIONALE FOR THE ZEDER DISPOSAL

    The rationale for the Zeder Disposal is best described in two separate parts:

3.1.  firstly, the strategic benefits to Pioneer Foods, of a partnership with one of the world’s
      leading food and beverage groups, was considered to be important and valuable to
      Pioneer Foods as a leading organisation that aims to continue growing its business on
      the African continent. To accommodate this new investment by PepsiCo, as requested,
      Zeder decided that it would not stand in the way of Pioneer Foods and its growth
      objectives; and

3.2.  secondly, having regard for the reasons described in paragraph 3.1 above, the
      independent board of directors of Zeder, established by Zeder for purposes of the
      Transaction and the Zeder Disposal (“Independent Board”) considers the Per Share
      Scheme Consideration (as defined below) to be fair and reasonable and the
      Independent Board is of the opinion that the Zeder Disposal will release value for
      Shareholders and represent an attractive return on investment.

4.  DISPOSAL CONSIDERATION

4.1.  To the extent that the Scheme becomes unconditional, the PepsiCo Offeror will acquire
      the Disposal Shares from Zeder for the cash consideration payable for each Disposal
      Share, being an amount calculated in accordance with the following formula (“Per
      Share Scheme Consideration”):

         A = the Base Price (being ZAR110 (one hundred and ten Rand)) plus B plus C minus
             D

         where:

         A = the Per Share Scheme Consideration (expressed in Rand);

         B = if implementation of the Scheme (“Scheme Implementation Date”) is after
             30 September 2019, the amount per Pioneer Ordinary Share (expressed in Rand)
             in respect of the final cash distribution for the Pioneer Foods financial year ending
             30 September 2019, but only if and to the extent that (i) the final cash distribution
             is declared by Pioneer Foods after 30 September 2019, but prior to the Scheme
             Implementation Date and (ii) the entitlement to such cash distribution vests in
             persons who are holders of Pioneer Ordinary Shares as at a dividend participation
             record date which is on or after the Scheme Implementation Date, provided that
             the maximum amount of B shall be a total amount of ZAR2.19 (two Rand and
             nineteen cents) per Pioneer Ordinary Share;

         C = if the Scheme Implementation Date is after 31 March 2020, either:

              (i)   if the interim cash distribution for the 6 (six) month period ending
                    31 March 2020 has been declared prior to the Scheme Implementation
                    Date, the amount per Pioneer Ordinary Share (expressed in Rand) of that
                    interim cash distribution, but only if and to the extent that the entitlement to
                    such cash distribution vests in persons who are holders of Pioneer Ordinary
                    Shares as at a dividend participation record date which is on or after the
                    Scheme Implementation Date; or
             (ii)   if the interim Cash Distribution for the 6 (six) month period ending
                    31 March 2020 has not been declared prior to the Scheme Implementation
                    Date, an amount of ZAR1.05 (one Rand and five cents),

             provided that the maximum amount of C shall be ZAR1.05 (one Rand and five
             cents);

         D = the total amount (expressed in Rand) of any Extraordinary Distributions (as
             defined below) per Pioneer Ordinary Share which are declared by Pioneer Foods
             prior to the Scheme Implementation Date, and which have been paid or are
             payable to persons who are holders of Pioneer Ordinary Shares as at a date prior
             to the Scheme Implementation Date.

4.2.  For the purpose of D above, an “Extraordinary Distribution” is any of the following:

4.2.1.   a cash distribution (irrespective of the amount thereof) declared, distributed and/or
         paid by Pioneer Foods on Pioneer Ordinary Shares which does not coincide with,
         or approximate, in respect of date, either the annual final dividend or the interim
         dividend declared by Pioneer Foods on Pioneer Ordinary Shares for the Pioneer
         Foods financial year ending 30 September 2018 or the 6 (six) month period ending
         31 March 2019 (respectively);

4.2.2.   the amount/s by which an annual final cash distribution declared, distributed and/or
         paid by Pioneer Foods for the Pioneer Foods financial year ending
         30 September 2019 exceeds a total amount of ZAR2.19 (two Rand and nineteen
         cents) per Pioneer Ordinary Share; or

4.2.3.   the amount/s by which any interim cash distribution declared, distributed and/or paid
         by Pioneer Foods for the 6 (six) month period ending 31 March 2020 exceeds either
         a total amount of ZAR1.05 (one Rand and five cents) per Pioneer Ordinary Share.

4.3.  The Standby Offer, if made, will be made at the Per Share Scheme Consideration.

5.  APPLICATION OF THE DISPOSAL CONSIDERATION

5.1.  Firstly, Zeder will use a portion of the aggregate consideration received by it in respect
      of the Disposal Shares (“Disposal Consideration”) to reduce or settle debt.

5.2.  Secondly, Zeder will distribute a portion of the Disposal Consideration to Shareholders
      by way of a special dividend.

5.3.  Thirdly, the remaining portion of the Disposal Consideration, following the reduction or
      settlement of debt and the distribution by way of a special dividend, will be used to
      invest in new opportunities or to re-invest in Zeder’s existing underlying portfolio.

6.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

6.1.  The undertakings given by Zeder in the Irrevocable Undertaking are subject to the
      following Irrevocable Undertaking Conditions:

6.1.1.   the resolutions to be proposed to the Shareholders, as set out in paragraphs 12.1
         and 12.2 below, are approved by Shareholders as contemplated in section 115(2)
         of the Companies Act and section 9 of the JSE Listings Requirements (“Zeder
         Disposal Resolutions”);

6.1.2.   if any person who voted against the Zeder Disposal Resolutions applies to court for
         a review of the Zeder Disposal in terms of section 115(3)(b) and section 115(6) of
         the Companies Act, either:

6.1.2.1.   leave to apply to court for any such review is refused; or

6.1.2.2.   if leave is so granted, the court refuses to set aside the Zeder Disposal
           Resolutions; and

6.1.3.   unless Zeder waives this condition in a written notice to PepsiCo, either:

6.1.3.1.   no Shareholder both (i) gives notice objecting to the Zeder Disposal Resolutions
           as contemplated in section 164(3) of the Companies Act and (ii) votes against
           the Zeder Disposal Resolutions at the general meeting of Shareholders to be
           convened by Zeder for purposes of voting on the Zeder Disposal Resolutions
           (“General Meeting”); or

6.1.3.2.   if any Shareholder gives notice objecting to the Zeder Disposal Resolutions as
           contemplated in section 164(3) of the Companies Act and then votes against the
           Zeder Disposal Resolutions at the General Meeting, Shareholders holding no
           more than 15% (fifteen per cent) of all of the issued Zeder ordinary shares give
           such notice objecting to the Zeder Disposal Resolutions as contemplated in
           section 164(3) of the Companies Act and vote against the Zeder Disposal
           Resolutions at the General Meeting; or

6.1.3.3.   if any Shareholder gives notice objecting to the Zeder Disposal Resolutions as
           contemplated in section 164(3) of the Companies Act and then votes against the
           Zeder Disposal Resolutions at the General Meeting in respect of more than
           15% (fifteen per cent) of all of the issued Zeder ordinary shares, such
           Shareholders actually exercise their appraisal rights, by giving valid demands in
           terms of sections 164(5) to 164(8) of the Companies Act, in respect of no more
           than 15% (fifteen per cent) of all of the issued Zeder ordinary shares within the
           maximum period permitted by the Companies Act.

6.1.4.  To the extent that any conditions set out in paragraph 6.1 are not fulfilled or waived
        by Zeder (if legally permissible), then Zeder shall be entitled to terminate the
        Irrevocable Undertaking on written notice to PepsiCo.

6.2.  The Zeder Disposal is subject to the Scheme or the Standby Offer becoming
      unconditional in accordance with its terms as set out in the Firm Intention
      Announcement.

7.  EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ZEDER DISPOSAL

    The Zeder Disposal will be implemented, and delivery and payment in respect of the
    Disposal Shares will take place, on the Scheme Implementation Date or following
    acceptance of the Standby Offer, to be announced on SENS, after the conditions
    precedent to the Scheme or the Standby Offer are fulfilled or waived (as the case may
    be).

8.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

8.1.  The value of the net assets comprising the Disposal Shares as at 28 February 2019,
      being the date of the last published financial information of Zeder, which is the annual
      financial statements of Zeder for the year ended 28 February 2019, was ZAR4.7 billion
      (four point seven billion Rand).

8.2.  The share of profits of associates attributable to the Disposal Shares, included in the
      net income from associates in the annual financial statements of Zeder for the year
      ended 28 February 2019, was ZAR318 million (three hundred and eighteen million
      Rand).

9.  OTHER SIGNIFICANT TERMS OF THE IRREVOCABLE UNDERTAKING

    The Irrevocable Undertaking contains representations and confidentiality undertakings by
    Zeder in favour of PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Offeror which are standard for a transaction
    of this nature.

10. INDEPENDENT EXPERT REPORT

10.1. The Independent Board has appointed BDO Corporate Finance Proprietary Limited as
      the independent expert (“Independent Expert”) and details of the Independent
      Expert’s report will be contained in the circular, referred to in paragraph 14 below, that
      will be sent to Shareholders.

10.2. Having considered the terms and conditions of the Zeder Disposal and based on the
      information set out in the Independent Expert’s report, the Independent Expert has
      concluded that the terms and conditions of the Zeder Disposal are both fair and
      reasonable to Shareholders, as each of these terms is defined in the Companies
      Regulations.

11. THE VIEWS OF THE INDEPENDENT BOARD

11.1. The Independent Board, after due consideration of the Independent Expert’s report,
      has determined that it will place reliance on the valuation performed by the
      Independent Expert for the purposes of reaching its own opinion regarding the Zeder
      Disposal, as contemplated in Companies Regulation 110(3)(b). The Independent
      Board has formed a view of the fair value range of Pioneer Foods, which accords with
      the range contained in the Independent Expert report, in considering its opinion and
      recommendation.

11.2. The Independent Board, taking into account the report of the Independent Expert, has
      considered the terms and conditions of the Zeder Disposal and the members of the
      Independent Board are unanimously of the opinion that the terms and conditions
      thereof are fair and reasonable to Shareholders and, accordingly, recommend that
      Shareholders vote in favour of the Zeder Disposal at the General Meeting.

12. CLASSIFICATION OF THE ZEDER DISPOSAL

12.1. As the value of the Zeder Disposal exceeds 30% (thirty per cent) of Zeder’s market
      capitalisation as at the date of the signature of the Irrevocable Undertaking, it meets
      the definition of a category 1 transaction as contemplated in section 9 of the JSE
      Listings Requirements. As a result, the Zeder Disposal is required to be approved by
      an ordinary resolution of Shareholders, which will require the support of more than 50%
      (fifty per cent) of the votes exercised on it.

12.2. In addition, the Zeder Disposal is regarded as a disposal of the greater part of the
      assets or undertaking of Zeder in terms of section 112 of the Companies Act and
      therefore constitute an “affected transaction” that will require the approval of
      Shareholders by way of a special resolution, which will require the support of at least
      75% (seventy five per cent) of the votes exercised on it, as well as the appointment of
      an independent expert to compile a fairness opinion on the Zeder Disposal in terms of
      the regulations published in terms of the Companies Act.

12.3. The Zeder Disposal is not made to a related party and there are accordingly no related
      party transaction implications in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements.

13. IRREVOCABLE UNDERTAKINGS

    Irrevocable undertakings have been given to vote in favour of the Zeder Disposal by the
    following Shareholders, who collectively holds 60.3% (sixty point three per cent) of the
    ordinary shares in Zeder:

                                                               Number of          % Zeder
                                                            Zeder ordinary        ordinary
     Shareholder                                              shares held      shares held

     PSG Group Limited                                        748 354 891          43.76%
     Allan Gray Proprietary Limited                           137 096 767           8.02%
     Coronation Asset Management Proprietary Limited          110 481 866           6.46%
     PSG Asset Management Proprietary Limited                  26 959 533           1.58%
     Associates of Norman Celliers                              7 340 499           0.43%
     Associates of Johann Le Roux                               1 045 838           0.06%
     Total                                                  1 031 279 394           60.3%

14. CIRCULAR

    A circular containing the full details of the Zeder Disposal (“Circular”), incorporating a
    notice convening the General Meeting which is required to vote in respect of the Zeder
    Disposal Resolutions, will be distributed to Shareholders in due course, at which time the
    salient dates and times of the Zeder Disposal, including the date of the General Meeting,
    will be announced on SENS.

15. WITHDRAWAL OF CAUTIONARY

    Shareholders are referred to the cautionary announcements released on SENS by Zeder
    and Pioneer Foods on 15 July 2019.

    Shareholders are hereby advised that as the particulars of the Transaction and the Zeder
    Disposal have now been announced, caution is no longer required to be exercised by
    Shareholders when dealing in Zeder’s securities.

19 July 2019

Sponsor and Transaction Adviser               Independent Expert
PSG Capital                                   BDO Corporate Finance

Date: 19/07/2019 08:45:00
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