Sandvika, May 19, 2009; REC has today resolved to strengthen the
company's financial position in order to ensure sufficient financial
flexibility going forward. This will be done through; (i)
restructuring of existing debt, (ii) adding new credit lines
including a bond issue, and (iii) issuing new shares through a fully
underwritten rights issue. The aggregate liquidity effect of the debt
and equity measures will be in the range of NOK 7 - 9 billion.
In terms of debt, the company has successfully restructured existing
debt and is adding new credit lines, including a bond issue, which in
total are expected to amount to NOK 3 - 5 billion. REC has engaged
DnB NOR Markets, Nordea and SEB as Joint Lead Arrangers for the bond
issue. Offering a REC-bond to the financial market is in line with
the strategy to diversify the company's sources of funding.
REC has also received an offer to revise financial covenants under
the existing debt facilities.
In terms of equity, REC intends to complete an equity offering
through issuance of new shares to raise approximately NOK 4 billion.
The proposed equity offering will be conducted as a fully
underwritten rights issue, to facilitate equal treatment of REC's
more than 25,000 shareholders. The rights issue will, subject to
certain conditions, be fully underwritten by REC's main shareholders
Orkla/Elkem and Hafslund (with a percentage corresponding to their
respective ownership interest) and other shareholders including
Folketrygdfondet (together representing about 60 percent of
outstanding shares), and a bank syndicate including DnB NOR Markets
(acting as Global Coordinator and Joint Bookrunner), Nordea, ABN AMRO
and BNP Paribas (acting as Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners).
Freely tradable subscription rights will be applied for listing on
the Oslo Stock Exchange.
"Contact with our shareholders has indicated that our owners are
highly supportive of the company taking action to ensure our
long-term financial flexibility. Through new equity and significantly
improved credit lines, we have taken the necessary steps to secure
long-term financing of our ongoing capital expenditure program and
provided a foundation for developing potential opportunities in a
growing industry", says Ole Enger, President and CEO.
REC will call for an extraordinary general meeting ("EGM") to be held
on June 5, 2009 to resolve the rights issue. According to the current
timetable, and subject to approval by the EGM, the subscription
period for the rights issue and the period for trading of
subscription rights are expected to commence on or about June 12,
2009 and end on or about June 26, 2009. The company's shares are
expected to be traded exclusive of subscription rights from and
including June 8, 2009.
Terms of the rights issue, including the subscription price and the
number of shares to be issued, will be proposed by the Board of
Directors and are expected to be announced on or about June 5, 2009.
The company will also prepare and publish a prospectus for the rights
issue, which will be subject to approval by the Oslo Stock Exchange
prior to publication.
For more information, please contact;
Bjørn Brenna, EVP & CFO, +47 900 43 186
Jon André Løkke, SVP & Investor Relation Officer, +47 907 44 949
About REC
REC is the leading vertically integrated player in the solar energy
industry. REC Silicon and REC Wafer are among the world's largest
producers of polysilicon and wafers for solar applications, and REC
Solar is a rapidly growing manufacturer of solar cells and modules.
REC Group had revenues of NOK 8,191 million and an operating profit
of NOK 2,529 million in 2008. About 2,500 employees work in REC's
worldwide organization. Please also see www.recgroup.com.
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