Lucerne, April 26, 2005 – At today’s 32nd ordinary general meeting of Unaxis Holding Inc. in Lucerne, 773 shareholders were in attendance and represented 52.3 percent of the company’s share capital.
Shareholders approved the 2004 annual report and granted discharge to the company’s Board of Directors. The shareholders in attendance also approved the proposal to waive payment of an annual dividend. The Board proposal to decrease the company’s share capital by means of a par value reduction of each share from CHF 20 to CHF 6 as well as the payout of CHF 14 per share was approved by 64.7 percent of votes cast.
The proposal for Opting In, i.e. to abrogate the existing statutory exemption from the duty to make a full tender offer in accordance with the Stock Exchange Act, was approved by 67.9 percent of votes cast. As a result, any shareholder who in the future owns more than 33 1/3 percent of the voting rights will be obligated to make a public takeover offer to all of the other shareholders in keeping with the Stock Exchange Act.
Heinrich Fischer was newly elected to the Board of Directors. Following a reassessment of the latest developments in the shareholder structure, Andreas Renschler withdrew his candidacy prior to the shareholders meeting. Previous Board members Dr. Pius Baschera and Dr. Willy Kissling did not stand for reelection. Dr. Markus Rauh, former Vice Chairman, has taken over as Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors constituted itself at its today’s meeting.
Rapid implementation of strategy
In his remarks to shareholders, CEO Dr. Harald Eggers emphasized that the operative measures for implementing the Group strategy agreed to in November 2004 are progressing according to plan. The paramount goal is to bring about a rapid return to profitability. Dr. Eggers noted what is expected to be a favorable market trend this year in the company’s core thin film and vacuum technology business The further growth and improved profitability of these business activities is to be fostered through geographic expansion, increased organic growth and the opening up of new areas of application.
This media release is based on information currently available to management. The forward-looking statements contained herein could be substantially impacted by risks and influences that are not foreseeable at present, so that actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, expected, or projected.
