Acquisition of shares in Welcon Invest AS - Mandatory notification of trade/disclosure of shareholding

Austevoll Seafood ASA (AUSS) has signed an agreement through a subsidiary for the acquisition of 50 % of the shares in Welcon Invest AS (Welcon), and will  

thereby own 100 % of the company. 

 

AUSS has 03.07.2013 signed an agreement for the acquisition of 30,000 shares in Welcon from Origin Enterprises Plc. This constitutes 50 % of the shares  

in the company, and as per completion of the transaction AUSS will own 100 % of the share capital in Welcon. Subsequent to completion, Welcon will no  

longer be a jointly controlled company and become a subsidiary of the AUSS group. 

 

The purchase price is NOK 740 million. The shares will be paid for in cash and will be financed by drawing on AUSS' existing credit lines. 

 

The Norwegian Competition Authority will routinely be notified of the transaction, and notification to certain foreign competition authorities may be required as well. Completion of the transaction is expected to take place shortly after the transaction has been cleared with the relevant authorities. 

 

Welcon is involved in the production of fishmeal, protein concentrate and oil in Northern Europe. The company's business includes purchase of raw materials, processing and sales. The company has production facilities located in Norway, UK, and Ireland. Welcon is a player in a global competition exposed industry. 

 

Welcon was established in 2003 and currently has six production facilities for fishmeal and fish oil, in addition to three production facilities for protein concentrate and oil. The company also has a facility in Egersund, which has been approved as a border inspection post for import of proteins and oils from third country. In 2012 the company employed 249 full- 

time equivalents, and the company is currently headed by CEO Arne Møgster. Welcon's Board of Directors comprises Arne Møgster, Helge Singelstad, Tom O'Mahony (Chairman) and Brendan Fitzgerald. 

 

The acquisition of the shares in Welcon is in line with AUSS' strategy to achieve growth within its business segments, and in this context within the segment for fishmeal and fish oil. 

 

Chairman of the Board Helge Singelstad  tel.:  + 47 91 66 10 01 

CEO Arne Møgster  tel.:  + 47 91 66 10 49