Qube has made an off-market takeover offer, through its indirectly wholly owned subsidiary, Qube Logistics (Aust) Pty Ltd, for all of the ordinary shares in Chalmers Limited.
Qube is offering holders of Chalmers shares 2.31 Qube shares or $6.50 cash. This values Chalmers at approximately $60 million with any cash component to be funded from existing Qube debt facilities.
Qube’s managing director Maurice James said: “The offer provides an opportunity for Chalmers shareholders to obtain liquidity for their shares at an attractive premium.”
Chalmers’ chairman Graham Mulligan said: “The offer represents attractive value for Chalmers shareholders. The directors of Chalmers intend to unanimously recommend that Chalmers shareholders accept Qube BidCo’s off-market takeover offer for all the ordinary shares in Chalmers, in the absence of a superior proposal.”
The Chalmers transport and logistics operations, coupled with the company’s strategically located property assets, are complementary to those of Qube Logistics. The acquisition will allow Qube to progress its growth plans while also providing an opportunity for significant cost savings by integrating the Chalmers businesses to achieve greater efficiencies and economies of scale.