HRL rallies on $82m takeover bid by large-cap rival ALS

ALS (ASX: ALQ) was trading slightly lower at the open after the sampling and laboratory testing large-cap announced plans to acquire its smaller its small-cap rival HRL Holdings (ASX: HRL) for $82m.

Following recent market speculation, ALS has today confirmed it is offering to acquire – under an unconditional Bid Implementation Deed - all of the ordinary shares of HRL it does not already own by way of an off-market takeover at $0.16 cash per share (CPS).

The offer represents a 95% premium over the undisturbed pre-offer closing share price of 8.2 cents per share (CPS) 27 June.

What do these companies do

ALS is a global testing, inspection and certification business, while HRL provides sampling, laboratory testing, and data management services across A&NZ.

Late May ALS announced a 42.1% increase in FY22 underlying net profit and paid a FY22 total dividend of 32.8 cps.

HRL Board says yes

After carefully considering a range of matters, including its view of the intrinsic value of HRL, the company's current position and future prospects, the HRL board is recommending shareholders accept the16 CPS full takeover bid by its 19.99% shareholder in the absence of a superior proposal.

Two directors, who control 18.6% of HRL, also intend giving the deal the thumbs up.

Both parties have agreed to a deal protection regime including no shop and no talk rights, a right to match any superior offers and payment of an agreed break fee of $800,000 by HRL to ALS in certain circumstances.

The Offer is expected to open early July and will remain open for six weeks.

A compelling strategic opportunity

ALS’s CEO Raj Naran expects the proposed takeover of HRL to enhance the S&P/ASX 100 company’s existing life sciences operations, adding complementary new food and environment capabilities.

“Acquiring HRL provides ALS with a compelling strategic opportunity to gain traction in two key food markets, dairy and honey,” said Naran.

“This is aligned with our global food strategy that is driven by a commitment to identify higher margin activities, with a focus on more specialist testing and end market specialisation.”

HRL’s share price rallied from $0.082 to $0.15 – now up 30% over 12 months - earlier this week following media speculation an offer from ALS was pending.

While ALS was down -0.92% at the open, HRL was up 6.67%.

HRL Holdings: A three month share price snapshot.