AMSTERDAM (Thomson Financial) - ASMI NV activist shareholders Hermes Focus
Asset Management Ltd and Fursa Alternative Strategies LLC said on Monday they
have requested that the Amsterdam Enterprise Chamber delay ASMI's EGM until
October 15, from the previously scheduled July 15.
The shareholders said postponing the EGM will give ASMI sufficient time to
explore the recent indicative offer for the company's front-end business from
Applied Materials Inc and Francisco Partners.
Together with ASMI shareholder Centaurus Capital, both Hermes and Fursa said
they welcome the serious interest shown by Applied Materials and Francisco
Partners.
The shareholders added they will participate in a monitoring panel with Paul
van den Hoek, Heinrich Kreutzer and Arthur Del Prado, that will work with ASMI's
advisory bank Lehman Brothers and its senior executives to seek the best
possible offer from Applied Materials and Francisco Partners, or from competing
bidders if any should appear.
Hermes and Fursa said they retain the right to seek a ruling from the
enterprise chamber if and when needed with regard to the preference shares
issued to the ASMI foundation, or to seek any other immediate provision needed
to protect shareholder interests.
Aaron Gray-Block; tfn.amsterdam@thomson.com
agb/rw
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