NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION
Irvine, CA – March 24, 2022 – Kofax Parent Limited ("Kofax"), a leading supplier of intelligent automation software for digital workflow transformation, today announced that it has reached agreement with the board of directors of Tungsten Corporation plc (AIM: TUNG) ("Tungsten") on the terms of a recommended cash offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Tungsten.
The proposed offer price of 42 pence per share in cash represents a 44.8 per cent premium to the closing price per Tungsten share of 29.0 pence on 13 December 2021. Irrevocable commitments to vote in favor of the recommended offer have been received from the board of directors and other shareholder in respect of 19.2% of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Tungsten as at 23 March 2022.
Kofax is a provider of intelligent automation solutions which help organizations digitally transform information intensive business processes, reduce manual labor, errors and costs and improve customer engagement while also mitigating compliance risk and increasing competitiveness, growth and profitability. Kofax combines robotic process automation, cognitive capture, process orchestration, mobility, engagement and analytics to ease implementations and deliver dramatic results.
Tungsten is a global provider of electronic invoicing and accounts payable automation solutions, digitizing the invoicing process and improving workflow automation for its customers.
Kofax believes that Tungsten’s platform would augment Kofax’s invoice processing and accounts payable automation solutions by adding eInvoicing, compliance and other capabilities. Further, Kofax sees opportunities to expand the scale of Tungsten’s business by offering Tungsten’s products to Kofax’s larger customer base and reseller channels, and by leveraging Kofax’s greater geographical reach and operational infrastructure.
Kofax also believes Tungsten’s invoicing network presents an opportunity for Kofax to access a complementary customer base for its current portfolio of digital workflow automation solutions. Further, Tungsten’s customers could represent prospective users of Kofax’s broader set of workflow automation solutions.
Commenting on the Acquisition, Reynolds C. Bish, Kofax’s President and CEO said:
"We are very pleased to announce the proposed acquisition of Tungsten, which will bring their electronic invoicing and accounts payable automation solutions into Kofax’s suite of intelligent automation software and solutions. Tungsten has a complementary offering and customer base, and shares a similar approach to delivering solutions to its customers. Kofax has a strong track record of acquiring and integrating complementary companies with synergistic technology offerings, in order to deliver greater value to its stakeholders. We believe Tungsten is a good example of such a company, and we look forward to completing the acquisition and working with the Tungsten team.”
It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented through Project California Bidco Limited ("Bidco"), a newly-formed vehicle, indirectly wholly-owned by Kofax, by way of a court sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the 2006 Act (although Kofax reserves the right to effect the Acquisition by way of an Offer, subject to the consent of the Panel and the terms of the Cooperation Agreement). The terms of the Acquisition will be put to Tungsten’s Shareholders at the Court Meeting and the General Meeting.
This press release should be read in conjunction with the Rule 2.7 announcement available on the London Stock Exchange RNS and Kofax’s website at www.kofax.com/tungsten from 24 March 2022.
Shore Capital and Corporate Ltd is acting as financial adviser and Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is acting as legal adviser to Bidco and Kofax.
Enquiries:
Karl Doyle (for Bidco and Kofax) mediarelations@kofax.com
About Kofax
Kofax is a portfolio company of funds advised or managed by affiliates of Thoma Bravo, L.P. Kofax provides an intelligent automation software platform and solutions to enable organizations to digitally transform content-intensive workflows. Kofax supports customers in realizing faster time-to-value and increased competitiveness, growth and profitability by combining Kofax’s cognitive capture, robotic process automation, process orchestration, analytics and mobile capabilities while helping increase business resiliency and mitigating compliance risk. Kofax is headquartered in Irvine, CA and has more than 1,900 employees on a global basis.
About Tungsten
Tungsten is the world’s largest, compliant business transaction network. A leading global electronic invoicing and purchase order transactions network; Tungsten’s mission is centred on enabling a touchless invoice process allowing businesses around the globe to gain maximum value from their invoice process. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in London, Tungsten has offices in the US, Bulgaria and Malaysia, employing over 227 people.
Further information
Shore Capital & Corporate Limited and Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited (either individually or collectively "Shore Capital”), which are authorised and regulated by the FCA, are acting as financial adviser to Bidco and Kofax and no-one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Bidco and Kofax for providing the protections afforded to clients of Shore Capital nor for providing advice in connection with the matters referred to herein. Neither Shore Capital nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Shore Capital in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, the Acquisition or otherwise.
This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Tungsten in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The Acquisition will be implemented solely by means of the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the offer document), which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition including details of how to vote in respect of the Acquisition. Any vote in respect of the Scheme or other response in relation to the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the offer document). This announcement does not constitute a prospectus, prospectus equivalent document or an exempted document.
If you are in any doubt about the contents of this Announcement or the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own independent financial advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or independent financial adviser duly authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) if you are resident in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser.
Overseas Shareholders
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into jurisdictions other than the UK may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the law of any jurisdiction other than the UK should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. Any failure to comply with such requirements may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. This announcement has been prepared in accordance and for the purpose of complying with English law, the Takeover Code, the AIM Rules, the Market Abuse Regulation and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside England.
The availability of the Acquisition to Tungsten Shareholders who are not resident in and citizens of the UK may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are citizens. Persons who are not resident in the UK should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their jurisdictions. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom to vote their Tungsten Shares with respect to the Scheme at the Court Meeting, or to appoint another person as proxy to vote at the Court Meeting on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be contained in the Scheme Document.
Unless otherwise determined by Bidco or required by the Takeover Code, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Acquisition will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction and no person may vote in favour of the Scheme by any such use, means, instrumentality or from within a Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction if to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction. Copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including, without limitation, agents, custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send it in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so may render invalid any related purported vote in respect of the Acquisition. If the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Offer may not be made directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means or instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities.
Further details in relation to overseas shareholders will be included in the Scheme Document.
Notice to US investors in Tungsten
The Acquisition relates to the shares of an English company and is being made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under English company law. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer or proxy solicitation rules under the US Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable in the UK to schemes of arrangement which differ from the disclosure requirements of the US tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. The financial information included in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United Kingdom and thus may not be comparable to financial information of US companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
If, in the future, Bidco exercises its right to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer, which is to be made into the United States, such Offer will be made in compliance with the applicable US laws and regulations.
It may be difficult for US holders of Tungsten Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of the US federal laws, since Bidco and Tungsten are located in a non-US jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-US jurisdiction. US holders of Tungsten Shares may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of the US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US court’s judgement.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, in accordance with normal UK market practice and pursuant to Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, Kofax, Thoma Bravo or their nominees, or their brokers (acting as agents), may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Tungsten Shares outside of the US, other than pursuant to the Acquisition, until the date on which the Acquisition becomes effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices.
US Tungsten Shareholders also should be aware that the transaction contemplated herein may have tax consequences in the US and, that such consequences, if any, are not described herein. US Tungsten Shareholders are urged to consult with legal, tax and financial advisers in connection with making a decision regarding this transaction.
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Bidco, Kofax and Tungsten contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Bidco, Kofax and Tungsten about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement include statements relating to the expected effects of the Acquisition on Bidco, Kofax and Tungsten (including their future prospects, developments and strategies), the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “is subject to”, “budget”, “projects”, “strategy”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Although Bidco, Kofax and Tungsten believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Bidco, Kofax and Tungsten can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
These factors include, but are not limited to: the ability to complete the Acquisition; the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other Conditions on the proposed terms and schedule; as future market conditions, changes in general economic and business conditions, the behaviour of other market participants, the anticipated benefits from the proposed transaction not being realised as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions in the countries in which Bidco, Kofax and Tungsten operate, weak, volatile or illiquid capital and/or credit markets, changes in tax rates, interest rate and currency value fluctuations, the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Bidco, Kofax and Tungsten operate and changes in laws or in supervisory expectations or requirements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors. None of Bidco, Kofax or Tungsten, nor any of their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place any reliance on these forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations, none of Bidco, Kofax or Tungsten is under any obligation, and Bidco, Kofax and Tungsten expressly disclaim any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Dealing and Opening Position Disclosure Requirements
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Takeover Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the Business Day following the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.
Publication on a website
In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Takeover Code, a copy of this announcement will be made available, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Tungsten’s website at www.tungsten-network.com/takeover-documentation/ and on Bidco’s website at www.kofax.com/tungsten by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the Business Day following this announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of these websites are not incorporated by reference and do not form part of this announcement
No profit forecasts, estimates or quantified benefits statements
No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast, profit estimate or quantified benefits statement for any period and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share for Tungsten for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share for Tungsten.
Requesting hard copy documents
In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Takeover Code, Tungsten Shareholders, persons with information rights and participants in Tungsten Share Plans may request a hard copy of this announcement by contacting Tungsten’s registrars, Equiniti, either in writing to Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN99 6DA, United Kingdom, or by calling +44 (0)371 3842030. Calls outside the UK will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. For persons who receive a copy of this announcement in electronic form or via a website notification, a hard copy of this announcement will not be sent unless so requested. Such persons may also request that all future documents, announcements and information to be sent to you in relation to the Acquisition should be in hard copy form.
Electronic Communications
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other information provided by Tungsten Shareholders, persons with information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Tungsten may be provided to Bidco during the offer period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the Takeover Code to comply with Rule 2.11(c).
Rounding
Certain figures included in this announcement have been subjected to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for the same category presented in different tables may vary slightly and figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of figures that precede them.