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Schaeffler reduces debt by approx.?1.3 billion

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– Placement successfully completed; proceeds approx. ?950 million
– Additional prepayment of ?325 million of debt from excess cash flow
– Further crucial step to optimize capital structure
– Continental remains long term strategic shareholding
Schaeffler, the global automotive and industrial supplier, has successfully completed the placement of 3.9% of Continental AG shares. Proceeds amounted to approx. ?950 million. Combined with a prepayment of ?325 million from excess free cash flow, the company thereby reduces its indebtedness by approx. ?1.275 billion. The receiving banks also include an affiliate of the bank placing the shares.
Schaeffler sold 7.8 million shares in Continental AG at a price of ?122.50 per share to a broad range of international investors in an Accelerated Bookbuilt Offering. Together with the debt prepayment from excess cash flow, Schaeffler reduces its gross debt from currently approx. ?10.3 billion to approx. ?9.0 billion. In this context, Schaeffler AG reduces its gross debt from currently approx. ?6.7 billion to approx. ?5.8 billion and Schaeffler Holding decreases its gross debt from currently approx. ?3.6 billion to approx. ?3.2 billion.
Following the placement, Schaeffler-s participation in Continental AG amounts to 46.0%, whereby Schaeffler AG holds 34.2% and Schaeffler Holding holds 11.8% of the outstanding share capital. Schaeffler remains the largest shareholder in Continental AG and thus confirms its long term strategic participation in the company.
Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler and Georg F. W. Schaeffler, shareholders of Schaeffler Group, said, “The further reduction of debt is an important step for the continuous successful development of our company. We will maintain our shareholding in Continental as it is of long term and strategic importance to us.”
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Schaeffler with its product brands INA, LuK and FAG is a leading provider of rolling bearing and plain bearing solutions and of linear and direct drive technology, as well as a renowned supplier to the automotive industry of high-precision products and systems for engines, transmissions, and chassis applications. The group of companies with operations around the world generated sales of approximately ?11.1 billion in 2012. With more than 76,000 employees worldwide, Schaeffler is one of the largest German and European industrial companies in family ownership. With 180 locations in over 50 countries, Schaeffler has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, distribution companies, engineering offices, and training centers.