euro adhoc: GfK AG
Mergers - Acquisitions - Takeovers
GfK
acquires NOP World
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
15.04.2005
GfK acquires NOP World
GfK Group and the British media group, United Business Media, signed today a definitive agreement for the acquisition of market research group NOP World by the GfK Group. The transaction remains subject to approval of the competition authorities in the United States and in Germany. Approval is expected at the end of May. The price of the acquisition amounts to approx. EUR 550 million and will be payable in cash following the fulfilment of all closing conditions. The transaction will be financed from credit lines available to GfK for the financing of acquisitions. GfK is also considering the use of its existing authorised capital to fund part of the purchase price with equity. NOP World, which was established in 1957, has been part of United Business Media since 1989 and offers information services in the GfK business areas Custom Research, Media and HealthCare with a focus on the US, UK and Italy. With over 1.500 employees, the company achieved sales totalling USD 416 million (EUR 321 million) in 2004. In 2004 the enlarged GfK group including NOP World would have generated EUR 993 million of sales. Approximately 25 per cent of sales is attributable to North and South America, 24 per cent to Germany, 15 per cent to the UK and 32 per cent to the rest of Europe. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution in the United States of America.
This announcement does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The GfK AG's securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an available exemption from registration. Further details are provided in a press release which is posted on GfKs website at www.gfk.com. Contact: GfK AG, Bernhard Wolf, Head of Investor Relations, Tel. +49 (0) 911 395 2012, Fax +49 (0) 911 395 4075, e-mail: investor.relations@gfk.de, www.gfk.de
end of announcement euro adhoc 15.04.2005 00:57:56
Further inquiry note:
Bernhard Wolf
Tel.: +49 (0) 911 395 2012
E-Mail: bernhard.wolf@gfk.de
Branche: Consultancy Services
ISIN: DE0005875306
WKN: 587530
Index: SDAX, Prime Standard
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / official dealing