25.10.2016 – 07:06

HOCHDORF Holding AG

EQS-Adhoc: HOCHDORF Holding Ltd: Signing of agreement and extraordinary General Meeting

EQS Group-Ad-hoc: HOCHDORF Holding AG / Key word(s): Takeover/AGM/EGM
HOCHDORF Holding Ltd: Signing of agreement and extraordinary General Meeting

25.10.2016 / 07:00
Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR.


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HOCHDORF Group Press Release: Signing of agreement / Extraordinary General
Meeting

HOCHDORF signs agreement on majority holding of Pharmalys Laboratories SA

Hochdorf, 24 October 2016-The HOCHDORF Group has signed the purchase agreement
to acquire 51% of Pharmalys Laboratories SA, 51% of Pharmalys Tunisia Ltd SA and
51% of Pharmalys Africa Sarl, which is to be founded jointly. The agreement
takes the HOCHDORF Group a significant step towards the end consumer in the Baby
Care business area. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of
2016.

The HOCHDORF Group has been producing infant formula since 1908, primarily for
the Swiss market up to 2006, when HOCHDORF launched its successful
internationalisation project. To date, however, the company has not been active
on the end-consumer market. This will change with a 51% majority holding in
Pharmalys Laboratories SA, Pharmalys Tunisia SA and Pharmalys Africa Sarl.

Historic step for the HOCHDORF Group
"By signing this agreement, we have met the legal objectives of the statement of
intent," said a delighted HOCHDORF CEO, Dr Thomas Eisenring. Chairman of the
Board of Directors, Josef Leu, explained: "This majority shareholding represents
a historic step for the HOCHDORF Group - a step towards the end consumer." Amir
Mechria, appointed CEO of Pharmalys, also spoke in terms of a huge development
for Pharmalys: "This mutual shareholding allows Pharmalys to gain access to
high-value Swiss products." Leu, Eisenring and Mechria all emphasised how the
planned Kid's Food products will add great value to the close collaboration.

The acquisition of the shareholding is expected to be completed by the end of
2016.

Extraordinary General Meeting
HOCHDORF has been supplying the Pharmalys Group with infant formula since 2008.
A close collaboration has developed over this period, with Pharmalys becoming
one of HOCHDORF's biggest customers in the area of Baby Care. No significant
changes are anticipated in the cooperation with the Pharmalys team. Amir Mechria
is therefore also interested in HOCHDORF Holding Ltd shares and a share
exchange. In order to be able to complete the majority shareholding, the
HOCHDORF Holding Ltd Board of Directors is requesting a conditional capital
increase to a maximum amount of 717,380 fully paid-in registered shares with a
nominal value of CHF 10 and an increase to the registering and voting
restriction from 5% to 15%.

The HOCHDORF Holding Ltd shareholders will decide on the amendments to the
Articles of Association at the Extraordinary General Meeting of 29 November
2016. Invitations to the meeting will be sent out over the next few days.

Michiel de Ruiter's election as additional board member
The election of Michiel de Ruiter as an additional board member will also be
recommended to the Extraordinary General Meeting. De Ruiter was responsible for
developing the HOCHDORF Group's international business in infant formula between
2006 and 2014. Currently the CEO of the Zeelandia Group, which is active in 27
countries and has its headquarters in the Netherlands, de Ruiter is a proven
expert in infant formula and would strengthen the Board of Directors in this
important growth area.

Additional features:


Document:http://n.eqs.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=QWQHAEDPRF
Document title: Media Release: Signing HOCHDORF - Pharmalys

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End of ad hoc announcement------------------------------------------------------
Information and Explanation of the Issuer to this News:


About the HOCHDORF Group
The HOCHDORF Group, based in Hochdorf, achieved a consolidated gross sales
revenue of CHF 551.2 million in 2015. It is one of the leading foodstuff
companies in Switzerland, employing 625 staff as of 31.12.2015. Made from
natural ingredients such as milk, wheat germ and oil seeds, HOCHDORF products
have been contributing to our health and wellbeing since 1895 - from babies to
senior citizens. Its customers include the food industry and the wholesale and
retail sectors. Its products are sold in over 90 countries. The shares are
traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (ISIN CH0024666528).

About the Pharmalys Group
Pharmalys is a rapidly-growing concern and has been a HOCHDORF customer since
2008. The Pharmalys Group has a staff of more than 500 direct and indirect
employees around the world. The company markets infant nutrition under the
Primalac brand; it also markets infant nutrition and cereals under the Swisslac
brand. Its products are available in 42 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and
the Middle East. Pharmalys Laboratories SA has its headquarters in Baar
(Switzerland). Pharmalys Tunisia SA and Pharmalys Africa Sarl, which is still to
be founded as part of a joint venture, are both located in Tunis (Tunisia).


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Language: English

Company:  HOCHDORF Holding AG

          Siedereistrasse 9

          6281 Hochdorf

          Switzerland

Phone:    +41 41 914 65 65

Fax:      +41 41 914 66 66

E-mail:    hochdorf@hochdorf.com

Internet: www.hochdorf.com

ISIN:     CH0024666528

Listed:   SIX Swiss Exchange


End of News EQS Group News Service
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508739  25.10.2016