December 4, 2006
Shareholders approve conversion of Fresenius AG into a European Company (SE) and share split at Extraordinary General Meeting
At the Extraordinary General Meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, a large majority of Fresenius AG's shareholders approved the Management and Supervisory Boards' proposal to convert the Company's legal form from a German stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) into a European Company (Societas Europaea – SE). A share split with capital increase from the Company's funds that will triple the number of shares issued was also approved by a vast majority.
The new legal form reflects the international focus of Fresenius Group's business. Through the conversion, all employees in the European Union and in the signatory states to the European Economic Area may now participate in appointing employee representatives to the Supervisory Board. In addition, Fresenius SE's Supervisory Board will continue to have twelve members. Dr. Ulf M. Schneider, Chairman of the Management Board of Fresenius AG, said: "We are convinced that with the new legal form we can successfully continue our high-quality and efficient corporate governance. The SE particularly facilitates an open and international corporate culture. The conversion of Fresenius AG into a European Company and the share split are two consistent steps in the development of the Company. Combined with our long-term strategy focused on profitable growth, these steps will further strengthen Fresenius."
At the Extraordinary General Meeting, 99.99 percent of the ordinary share capital represented approved the conversion of Fresenius AG into an SE. An SE is a public limited-liability company under European law. The conversion will have no effect on the Company's corporate structure and management organization; the legal and economic identity will be preserved. The conversion becomes effective upon the registration in the commercial register. This is scheduled in the third quarter of 2007 after the completion of the procedure for the involvement of the employees.
99.99 percent of the represented ordinary share capital approved the share split. The subscribed capital of Fresenius AG currently amounts to approximately € 131.7 million. It is divided into 25,725,646 ordinary shares and 25,725,646 preference shares. Through a conversion of capital reserves, the subscribed capital will first be increased to approximately € 154.4 million and then divided into 77,176,938 ordinary shares and 77,176,938 preference shares. The new proportionate amount of the subscribed capital will be 1 € per share. After the share split, every holder of an ordinary share will hold three ordinary shares and every holder of a preference share will hold three preference shares. As a result of the share split, the share price will be reduced arithmetically without affecting the overall value for shareholders. The proposed share split is intended to promote trading activity in Fresenius shares and to increase the shares' attractiveness for a broader group of investors. The share split becomes effective upon the registration in the commercial register, which is expected in the first quarter of 2007.
About 79.95 percent of the ordinary share capital was represented at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Only ordinary shareholders were entitled to vote.
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Fresenius is a health care group with international operations, providing products and services for dialysis, hospital and the ambulatory medical care of patients. In 2006 group sales are expected to increase to more than € 10.7 billion. On September 30, 2006 the Fresenius Group had 104,179 employees worldwide.