E-Malt.com News article: 3299

Australia: AusBulk & UGH announced on September 13 that shareholders in ABB Grain Ltd, AusBulk Ltd and United Grower Holdings Ltd have been urged to act quickly to have their say on the proposed merger of the three companies.

Proposed chairman of the merged entity, Mr Perry Gunner, said if shareholders were unable to attend the shareholder meetings in person they had until 2pm (Adelaide time) on Sunday September 19 to lodge or fax in their ABB vote or proxy, or 10am (Adelaide time) on Monday September 20 in the case of AusBulk and UGH.

“The proposal being put forward to growers and shareholders represents a valuable opportunity to create a major Australian agribusiness that will combine the strengths of the current operations of AusBulk and ABB,” Mr Gunner said.

“We see definite benefits for growers, customers and shareholders alike in bringing together these three companies, and as a result the directors of AusBulk, UGH and ABB unanimously recommend the proposal.”

“This is a very important decision to make for the future of the grains industry. Shareholders should not miss this chance to exercise their right to vote and have a say on the matter,” Mr Gunner said.

“With the voting process to culminate at next week’s shareholder meetings on September 21, there is not much time left to get votes in. If shareholders cannot attend the meetings I encourage them to fill out the postal and proxy forms that have been sent out and return them as soon as possible.”

“If growers and shareholders have any queries regarding the proposed merger they are encouraged to call the Merger Information Hotline on 1800 199 029.”

For ABB shareholders, postal and proxy forms must be received by 2pm (Adelaide time) on Sunday 19 September. This means that forms returned in the mail will need to be received by close of business this Friday; however forms can be faxed through to Computershare Investor Services on (08) 8236 2305 right up until 2pm on Sunday.

AusBulk and UGH shareholders have extra time to get their proxy forms in, with forms being accepted until 10am (Adelaide time) on Monday 20 September. AusBulk and UGH forms can be faxed through on (08) 8236 2305 right up until this time.

The meetings on September 21 are to be held in the Alchemy Room at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Port Road, Hindmarsh, Adelaide. The UGH meetings will begin at 10am, the AusBulk meetings at 11.30am and ABB at 2pm. A light lunch and morning and afternoon tea will be provided.


22 September, 2004