2/12/2001 3:44 AM EST
VISION PARK and IMG are merging to form the largest Nordic digital
entertainment company
The merger will create a stronger market position with considerable income
synergies and cost savings.
The board of Vision Park Entertainment AB (publ) ("Vision Park") has
decided to make a public tender offer ("the Offer") to the shareholders in
Independent Media Group Sweden AB (publ) ("IMG"). The merger will create
the largest digital entertainment company in the Nordic region. The
company will operate in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, and is
expected to generate an annual turnover in excess of SEK 250 million. The
management of the IMG group welcomes this approach and shareholders
representing 60 per cent of the votes and 30 per cent of the capital in
IMG have committed themselves to accepting the offer.
Vision Park and IMG are structurally well-suited to one another. The
companies' product portfolios and geographical market presence complement
each other perfectly. IMG brings with it a new business area - Video/DVD -
with the associated rights and commercially interesting partners.
The merger will guarantee the new company a leading position in the Nordic
market. The strengthened market position is expected to produce positive
income synergies as a result of an improved negotiating position with
regard to both suppliers and customers.
In the opinion of the respective management teams, the merger will also
open the door to economies of scale, primarily in the areas of
distribution, sales and administration - benefits valued at around SEK 25
million annually, as from and including 2002. The full effect of these
benefits is expected to be achieved as from the third quarter of 2001.
IMG's activities in the area of music will be sold immediately after the
completion of the deal, as these do not constitute a part of the company's
core business. A statement of intent concerning sale has been drawn up
with the management of the music business area.
On completion of the deal, Joakim Hedin, currently the Managing Director
of IMG, will become Managing Director and CEO of Vision Park. Thomas
Brühl, Managing Director of Vision Park, will retain his position until
the merger is finalised, after which he has chosen to leave the company.
Following the merger, the company will take the name of Vision Park
Entertainment. The corporate headquarters will be located in Stockholm.
"We have chosen to play an active part in the re-structuring ...