January 14, 2016 - Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory today announces that it has received a binding offer from ATC, a private B2B media company in France, to purchase Legal & Regulatory's French trade media assets. Wolters Kluwer's intended divestment is in line with the division's strategy to focus on legal information and software solutions for law firms, corporate counsel, and other compliance professionals.
"We are pleased that we have received a binding offer from ATC. The company is well-positioned in France to support these products and activities and serve the needs of customers," said Stacey Caywood, CEO, Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory.
The French trade media unit, a part of the division's business in France, includes publishing and events serving the transport, tourism, HR, and social work verticals. The unit had revenues of €22 million in 2015 and approximately 170 full-time employees.
Upon receipt of the offer, Wolters Kluwer in France has granted to ATC an exclusive period of discussions, during which local staff representatives will be consulted following the French legal process.
About Wolters Kluwer
Wolters Kluwer reported 2014 annual revenues of €3.7 billion. The group serves customers in over 170 countries, and employs over 19,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY).
Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory is a division of Wolters Kluwer, serving customers around the world with expert information solutions, software, and services in the areas of law, business, and regulatory compliance. Customers of Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory include law firms, corporate law departments, business compliance professionals, corporate legal counsel, legal educators, universities, libraries, and government agencies.
| Media Contacts: | |
| Leslie Bonacum | Annemarije Pikaar |
| Legal & Regulatory Communications | Corporate Communications |
| +1 847-267-7153 | +31 172 64 1470 |
| leslie.bonacum@wolterskluwer.com | annemarije.pikaar@wolterskluwer.com |
| Investors/Analysts: Meg Geldens Investor Relations + 31 (0)172 641 407 ir@wolterskluwer.com |
Forward-looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by words such as "expect", "should", "could", "shall" and similar expressions. Wolters Kluwer cautions that such forward-looking statements are qualified by certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from what is contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, general economic conditions; conditions in the markets in which Wolters Kluwer is engaged; behavior of customers, suppliers, and competitors; technological developments; the implementation and execution of new ICT systems or outsourcing; and legal, tax, and regulatory rules affecting Wolters Kluwer's businesses, as well as risks related to mergers, acquisitions, and divestments. In addition, financial risks such as currency movements, interest rate fluctuations, liquidity, and credit risks could influence future results. The foregoing list of factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Wolters Kluwer disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
