Fletcher Building seeks NZ clearance to buy Crane Group
Dec. 23 (BusinessDesk) – Fletcher Building Ltd., undeterred by Crane Group’s rejection of it’s a$740 million takeover
bid, has sought New Zealand antitrust clearance to acquire the business.
Crane’s board rejected the proposal this week as inadequate. Its shares climbed to A$9.38 on the ASX yesterday,
exceeding the A$9.35 a share price Fletcher has offered, made up of one of its shares and A$3.43 cash for each Crane
share.
Fletcher and Crane both manufacture and supply building materials in Australia and New Zealand.
Fletcher’s application to the Commerce Commission mainly relates to pipes and pipe fittings, along with distribution of
electrical products, plumbing, bathroom/laundry products and safety equipment, the regulator said in a statement
Shares of Fletcher traded at $7.79 yesterday and have declined 3% this year. Crane shares were as low as A$7.14 last
month, before the offer sent them soaring.
(BusinessDesk)