Walgreens to acquire a 45% equity interest in Alliance Boots, with
the option to proceed to a full combination
NEW YORK & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (together with its affiliates, "KKR")
announced that Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG) (NASDAQ: WAG), the largest drug
store chain in the US, and Alliance Boots GmbH, the leading
international pharmacy-led health and beauty group, have agreed to form
a strategic partnership to create the first global pharmacy-led, health
and wellbeing enterprise.
"In 2007, we made a commitment to accelerate the development of Alliance
Boots. Following five years of successful performance, both in the UK
and overseas, the company is now in a better position than ever before.
The partnership announced today is about building upon that success and
laying the foundation for future growth," said Dominic Murphy, Member of
KKR, who leads KKR's activities in The United Kingdom and Ireland.
KKR made its investment in Alliance Boots in 2007 in partnership with
Stefano Pessina, Executive Chairman of Alliance Boots. Since then,
Alliance Boots has delivered strong growth, building a presence in more
than 25 countries and employing over 116,000 people. Alliance Boots'
pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses now operate more than
3,330 health and beauty retail stores in 11 countries and its
pharmaceutical wholesale businesses supply medicines, other healthcare
products and related services to more than 170,000 pharmacies, doctors,
health centers and hospitals in 21 countries.
"Over these last five years, KKR has been a strong, supportive,
entrepreneurial partner to Alliance Boots. KKR has constantly been
committed to helping the Alliance Boots' leadership team to grow the
company and to create sustainable value in the long term. Our joint
focus is now on forging with Walgreens the world's first global
pharmacy-led health and wellbeing enterprise," said Stefano Pessina,
Executive Chairman of Alliance Boots.
Upon the completion of Walgreens initial investment in Alliance Boots,
Stefano Pessina, Executive Chairman of Alliance Boots, and Dominic
Murphy will join the Walgreens Board of Directors.
In 2007, KKR invested £1.22 billion/$2.45 billion in Alliance Boots,
consisting of approximately $1.4 billion from the KKR 2006 Fund
(Overseas), Limited Partnership, approximately $750 million from the
European Fund II, Limited Partnership and approximately $300 million
from KKR's balance sheet.
Under the terms of the agreement announced today, Walgreens will acquire
a 45% equity stake in Alliance Boots. KKR will receive £1.2 billion/$1.8
billion in cash and 7 million Walgreens shares of common stock
equivalent to £0.14 billion/$0.2 billion, at the Walgreens closing share
price of $31.96 on 18 June 2012 for this 45% stake.
Walgreens has the option, but not the obligation, to acquire the
remaining 55% equity interest in Alliance Boots during the six-month
period beginning two and a half years after the initial closing.
Walgreens initial investment and option exclude the Alliance Boots
minority interest of 25.5 % in Galenica, the healthcare company listed
on the Swiss Stock Exchange (GALN:SIX Swiss Ex) with a closing share
price of 588.50 CHF on 18 June 2012. The investment in Galenica will
continue to be owned by Alliance Boots and its existing shareholders for
the benefit of those shareholders.
Additional information on the initial and subsequent parts of the
transaction can be found in a related press release issued by Walgreens
today.
About KKR
Founded in 1976 and led by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, KKR is a
leading global investment firm with $62.3 billion in assets under
management as of March 31, 2012. With offices around the world, KKR
manages assets through a variety of investment funds and accounts
covering multiple asset classes. KKR seeks to create value by bringing
operational expertise to its portfolio companies and through active
oversight and monitoring of its investments. KKR complements its
investment expertise and strengthens interactions with investors through
its client relationships and capital markets platform. KKR is publicly
traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: KKR). For additional
information, please visit KKR's website at www.kkr.com.
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
U.S.
Kristi
Huller, 212-230-9722
Kristi.Huller@kkr.com
or
London
Ludo
Bammens, 44 20 7104 2510
Ludo.Bammens@kkr.com
Source: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
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