SNC-Lavalin Group Inc (TSX: SNC) said it will proceed with the sale of a 10.01 percent stake in 407 International Inc, a Woodbridge, Ontario-based holder of a concession over 407 Express Toll Route (407 ETR), to Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).
The deal, valued at $3.25 billion, is expected to close this month.
It follows the dismissal by an Ontario court of an application by Ferrovial SA concerning its right of first refusal with respect to SNC-Lavalin’s original sales agreement with OMERS Infrastructure. The agreement was cancelled in May.
If the court decision is reversed, CPPIB, which currently holds 40 percent of 407 ETR, and Ferrovial, which holds 43.23 percent, agreed the sale to CPPIB will stand and that ownership stakes will be adjusted.
PRESS RELEASE
SNC-Lavalin to proceed with closing of sale of 10.01% stake of Highway 407 ETR
MONTREAL, Aug. 7, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ – SNC-Lavalin (TSX: SNC) is pleased to announce that it will be proceeding with closing the sale of the 10.01% stake in 407 International Inc. (“Highway 407 ETR”) with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPPIB”) following the dismissal by the Ontario Superior Court, Commercial List (the “Court”) of the application by Cintra Global S.E. (“Cintra”). The Court agreed with SNC-Lavalin and CPPIB that Cintra had waived, through an agreement with SNC-Lavalin in 2002, its right of first refusal (“ROFR”) with respect to the original sale transaction concluded with OMERS in April 2019. SNC-Lavalin currently expects the closing of the sale with CPPIB to occur within the month.
As previously announced, SNC-Lavalin, Cintra and CPPIB have agreed that even if the Court’s decision were to be reversed on appeal, SNC-Lavalin’s sale to CPPIB would not be reversed. Instead, CPPIB and Cintra would adjust the purchaser-owner of the relevant number of shares of Highway 407 ETR as between them.
Based on the terms of the agreement, gross proceeds to SNC-Lavalin from the sale could reach $3.25 billion in aggregate, $3.0 billion payable at the closing date and $250 million over a period of 10 years, conditional to certain financial thresholds related to the ongoing performance of Highway 407 ETR. Net proceeds from this transaction will be used to strengthen the balance sheet and more specifically for the execution of the Company’s deleveraging plans.
Background of the announcement
Prior to the closing of the sale transaction, the current common shareholders of Highway 407 ETR consist of a subsidiary of Cintra, itself a subsidiary of Ferrovial S.A., which owns 43.23% of the common shares, indirectly owned subsidiaries of CPPIB which own approximately 40% of the common shares, and SNC-Lavalin which owns a total of 16.77% of the common shares.
Cintra commenced an application in the Court for a determination of whether it had validly exercised a ROFR with respect to the original OMERS transaction. SNC-Lavalin and CPPIB opposed the application on the basis that Cintra had waived its ROFR. The expedited hearing before the Court took place on June 21, 2019 and the Court’s recent decision confirmed the position of SNC-Lavalin and CPPIB.
About SNC-Lavalin
Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin is a global fully integrated professional services and project management company and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure. From offices around the world, SNC-Lavalin’s employees think beyond engineering. Our teams provide comprehensive end-to-end project solutions – including capital investment, consulting, design, engineering, construction management, sustaining capital and operations and maintenance – to clients across the EDPM (engineering, design and project management), Infrastructure, Nuclear, and Resources businesses. www.snclavalin.com
For further information: Media: Daniela Pizzuto, Director, External Communications, 514-393-8000, ext. 54772, media@snclavalin.com; Investors: Denis Jasmin, Vice President, Investor Relations, 514-393-8000, ext. 57553, denis.jasmin@snclavalin.com