ATRIA TO ACQUIRE A-FARMERS LTD - ATRIA'S HOLD OF THE VALUE CHAIN STRENGTHENS By an agreement signed today, Atria Group plc has acquired nearly the entire issued share capital of A-Farmers Ltd. The purchase streamlines the meat buying chain and thus strengthens the competitiveness of the entire production chain. A-Farmers is a beef cattle buying company with a turnover of EUR 81.7 million (2005) and equity capital of approximately EUR 19.2 million (31.12.2005). Atria purchases nearly all its pork, beef and poultry from A-Farmers. By this agreement, Atria acquired a total of 10,000,000 series A shares from Itikka Osuuskunta and Lihakunta. After the transaction, Atria holds 97.9 % of the issued share capital of A-Farmers and 99.0 % of the votes. Before the transaction, Atria held 5.4 % of A-Farmers shares and 53.3 % of the votes. A- Farmers is included into Atria's consolidated financial statement starting from the year 2005. The transaction was priced at A-Farmers's equity value. As purchase price, Atria paid a total of 900,000 new series A shares and EUR 1,283,308.00 in currency. The shares were offered for subscription by a decision of Atria's Board of Directors based on the authorization of the AGM on 3.5.2006. According to the agreement, the subscription price is the higher of the following: the trading-volume- weighted average from 7.12.2006 - 20.12.2006 or the closing price of 20.12.2006. Based on these, the subscription price was EUR 18.50 per share. According to the statement given to Atria's Board of Directors by Deloitte Corporate Finance Oy, the purchase price was reasonable for Atria. As a result of the share issue, Atria's share capital will increase from EUR 37,727,637.60 to EUR 39,257,637.60. The number of series A shares will increase from 12,988,747 to 13,888,747. The owners of the new stock will receive a dividend for the financial year ending on 31.12.2006. The beginning of public trading of the shares will be announced later. For additional information, please contact Mr Matti Tikkakoski, President and CEO for Atria Group plc, tel. +358 50 2582. ATRIA GROUP PLC Matti Tikkakoski President and CEO DISTRIBUTION: Helsinki Stock Exchange Principal media www.atria.fi
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