Saint Gobain Or Regulatory News (COD)

31 Aug 2005 08:35

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain31 August 2005 Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in, into orfrom Australia, Canada or Japan 31 August 2005 Compagnie de Saint-Gobain ("Saint-Gobain") Posting of Offer Document to BPB Shareholders Saint-Gobain announces that the Offer Document containing the cash offer for BPBmade outside the United States by BNP Paribas and UBS Investment Bank on behalfof Saint-Gobain Aldwych Limited (the "Offeror"), a wholly owned subsidiary ofSaint-Gobain, and in the United States by the Offeror itself, is being posted toBPB Shareholders today. Acceptances to the Offer should be received as soon as possible followingreceipt of the Offer Document and in any event, by no later than 1.00pm (LondonTime) on 30th September 2005. The Offer of 720 pence in cash per BPB Share represents: A significant premium to BPB's historic share price A significant premium to recent market earnings multiples A premium valuation in comparison to other recent transactions in the sector Saint-Gobain's Offer provides BPB Shareholders with the opportunity to realise apremium valuation in cash now. Saint-Gobain believes that 720 pence represents a full and fair price for BPBShareholders. It represents a 40.5% premium to BPB's closing price on 20thJuly, the last day prior to the Offer Period. This Offer is an excellentopportunity for BPB Shareholders to realise a cash exit from their investmentnow. Saint-Gobain encourages Shareholders to accept its Offer. Enquiries Saint-Gobain (for analysts and investors) Florence Triou-Teixeira, Head of IR Tel: +33 1 47 62 45 19 Alexandre Etuy, Deputy Head of IR Tel: +33 1 47 62 37 15 BNP Paribas (joint financial adviser to Saint-Gobain) Thierry Dormeuil Tel: +33 1 42 98 12 34 Oliver Ellingham Tel: +44 20 7595 2000 UBS Investment Bank (joint financial adviser and broker to Saint-Gobain) Charles-Henri Le Bret Tel: +33 1 48 88 30 30 Liam Beere Tel: +44 20 7567 8000 Brunswick (PR adviser to Saint-Gobain) John Sunnucks Tel: +44 20 7404 5959 Sophie Fitton Tel: +44 20 7404 5959 Notes Copies of the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance are available forcollection (during normal business hours) from Capita Registrars at PO Box 166,The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TH. Further information on Saint-Gobain is available on Saint-Gobain's websitewww.saint-gobain.com. Terms used in this announcement shall have the meaning given to them in theOffer Document. The Offer in the United States is made solely by the Offeror and neither BNPParibas, UBS nor any of their respective affiliates is making the Offer into theUnited States. The Saint-Gobain Directors and the Offeror Directors accept responsibility forthe information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge andbelief of the Saint-Gobain Directors and the Offeror Directors (who have takenall reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information containedin this announcement for which they are responsible is in accordance with thefacts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of suchinformation. BNP Paribas and UBS are acting exclusively for Saint-Gobain and the Offeror inconnection with the Offer and no one else, and will not be responsible to anyoneother than Saint-Gobain and the Offeror for providing the protections affordedto respective clients of BNP Paribas and UBS nor for providing advice inrelation to the Offer or any other matter referred to herein. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or an invitation topurchase any securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange