DGAP-News: H&R AG strengthens its international business presence with the acquisition of 51 % of the China-based activities of the Hansen & Rosenthal Group


DGAP-News: H&R AG / Key word(s): Corporate Action/Capital Increase
H&R AG strengthens its international business presence with the
acquisition of 51 % of the China-based activities of the Hansen &
Rosenthal Group

17.09.2014 / 19:40

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Press release 

H&R AG strengthens its international business presence with the acquisition
of 51 % of the China-based activities of the Hansen & Rosenthal Group

  - Increase in capital amounting to 5,847,042 shares, on the basis of
    authorised capital

  - Development of higher margin specialties business and reinforcement of
    capital structure

  - Recognition of the Hansen family as key investors in the company

Salzbergen (Germany), 17th September 2014. The board of directors of H&R
Aktiengesellschaft (ISIN DE0007757007) has today decided, with the
agreement of the supervisory board, in favour of an increase in capital
based in turn on authorised capital, subject to the exclusion of
subscription rights of existing shareholder. The Hansen & Rosenthal Group,
of Hamburg (Germany), is to contribute 51 % of its China-based activities 
to H&R AG, in exchange for an issue of new shares.

H&R AG undertakes, on its part and in exchange for the above contribution
to provide the Hansen & Rosenthal Group with 5,847,042 new shares. The
issue price of the new shares will be EUR7.10 per new share in the company.
The recording of this increase in capital in the company register will be
executed at short notice. The China-based activities will be fully
consolidated in H&R AG for the first time by 30th September 2014.

Once the transaction is complete, H&R AG will directly hold 51% of the
shares of H&R China Holding GmbH. This increase in capital based in turn on
authorised capital will increase the company's subscribed capital, subject
to the partial use of the authorised capital by the issue of 5,847,042 new
non-par bearer shares, supposing an increase of EUR14,947,725.52 to
EUR91,572,769.63.

This takeover of the majority of China-based business activities will
result in the bundling of virtually all the international business
operations of the Hansen & Rosenthal Group into H&R AG. H&R AG strengthens,
with this move, its core business in the chemical/pharmaceutical
raw-materials sector, while continuing to build up its higher margin,
internationally growing presence in this specialty business. The
reinforcement of capital structure resulting from this increase in
investment supports the repositioning of the company.

"We are pleased that this contribution will further strengthen our activity
in the high-growth Chinese market, while increasing our profitability. H&R
China achieved sales revenues of approximately EUR93 million last year, and
is continuing to develop its presence in its specialties business. The
operation provides the basis for sustainable and profitable growth in this
high-margin sector, under the overall supervision of H&R AG. This endeavour
also makes us more attractive to investors and cooperation partners", says
Niels H. Hansen, chairman of the board at H&R AG. The receipt of further
H&R shares in exchange for parts of its holding highlights the position of
the Hansen & Rosenthal Group as the majority shareholder and recognises its
role as key investor in the company.

Contact:
H&R AG, Investor Relations / Kommunikation, Ties Kaiser
Neuenkirchener Straße 8, 48499 Salzbergen
Phone.: +49 40 43218-321, Fax: +49 40 43218-390
Mail: Ties.Kaiser@hur.com 
www.hur.com  

H&R AG is a Prime Standard listed specialist chemicals company. It develops
and manufactures crude oil-based chemical and pharmaceutical products and
high-precision plastic parts.

Forward-looking statements and forecasts: 
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements
are based on current estimates and forecasts made by the Executive Board
and the information available to the Board at this time. Forward-looking
statements should not be interpreted as guarantees that the projected
future developments and results will materialise. Future developments and
results are dependent on a range of factors. They comprise various risks
and imponderables and rest on assumptions which may prove incorrect. We do
not accept any obligation to update the forward-looking statements made in
this ad-hoc communication.



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17.09.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Language:    English                                               
Company:     H&R AG                                                
             Neuenkirchener Str. 8                                 
             48499 Salzbergen                                      
             Germany                                               
Phone:       +49 (0)40 43 218 321                                  
Fax:         +49 (0)40 43 218 390                                  
E-mail:      investor.relations@hur.com                            
Internet:    www.hur.com                                           
ISIN:        DE0007757007                                          
WKN:         775700                                                
Listed:      Regulierter Markt in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime     
             Standard), Hamburg; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Hannover,  
             München, Stuttgart                                    
 
 
End of News    DGAP News-Service  
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