Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. ("Fuel Systems") (Nasdaq:FSYS), through its wholly owned subsidiary IMPCO Technologies, Inc. ("IMPCO"), and Alternative Fuel Systems (2004) Inc. ("AFS") (TSX-V:AFX) announced that they have entered into a support agreement (the "Support Agreement") pursuant to which IMPCO has agreed to offer to acquire, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding common shares of AFS for Cdn.$0.50 in cash per share (the "Offer"). The purchase price under the Offer represents a 66.7% premium over the average closing price for the last 20 trading days of Cdn.$0.30. The transaction is valued at approximately Cdn.$9.4 million.

Following a thorough review by the board of directors of AFS, consultation with its financial and legal advisors and upon recommendation of the special committee of the board of directors, the board of directors of AFS has unanimously determined that the Offer is fair to the shareholders of AFS and is in the best interests of AFS and its shareholders, and unanimously recommends that shareholders of AFS accept the Offer.

Matthew Beale, Fuel Systems' Co-President and Head of IMPCO Operations, said, "The acquisition of AFS will expand our technology platform and enhance our ability to address the high-growth commercial vehicle and stationary engine markets in Asia. Having partnered with AFS in the past, we have grown to admire their capabilities and perceive a strong cultural fit with our organization." 

Jim Perry, CEO of AFS, said, "While the strategic logic of the combination is compelling, we believe that the fully financed cash offer and attractive premium offers our shareholders outstanding value. We look forward to joining the Fuel Systems team and accelerating our growth strategy as part of a leading global player in our industry."

AltaCorp Capital Inc. acted as advisor to the special committee of the board of AFS and provided an opinion that, as of the date hereof, the consideration to be received by AFS shareholders pursuant to the Offer is fair, from a financial point of view, to the AFS shareholders.

Concurrently with the execution of the Support Agreement, the directors and officers of AFS, as well as Remington Development Corporation, AFS's largest shareholder, entered into lock-up agreements with IMPCO, pursuant to which they have agreed to deposit all AFS shares (including shares issuable upon exercise of any options held) under the Offer. The locked up shareholders own, in the aggregate 4,056,560 AFS shares and 968,000 options, representing approximately 26.5% of the AFS Shares on a fully diluted basis.

The Offer will be made in the form of a take-over bid.  AFS has agreed to pay a non-completion fee of Cdn.$471,000 to IMPCO and to reimburse IMPCO for its expenses up to Cdn.$400,000 under certain circumstances. The Support Agreement also contains customary non-solicitation covenants and AFS has reserved the right to respond to superior proposals if certain conditions are met, subject to IMPCO's right to match any such superior proposal. 

The Offer will be subject to customary conditions, including at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of AFS on a fully diluted basis having been validly deposited under the Offer and not withdrawn.

The full and important details of the Offer will be included in the formal offer and takeover bid circular, which is expected to be mailed to shareholders in the next 10 days, together with a directors' circular which will set out the board of directors' unanimous recommendations that shareholders accept the Offer. Once mailed, the take-over bid circular and the directors' circular will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Fuel Systems

Fuel Systems (Nasdaq:FSYS) is a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of proven, cost-effective alternative fuel components and systems for use in transportation and industrial applications. Fuel Systems' components and systems control the pressure and flow of gaseous alternative fuels, such as propane and natural gas, used in internal combustion engines. These components and systems feature the company's advanced fuel system technologies, which improve efficiency, enhance power output and reduce emissions by electronically sensing and regulating the proper proportion of fuel and air required by the internal combustion engine. In addition to the components and systems, Fuel Systems provides engineering and systems integration services to address unique customer requirements for performance, durability and configuration. Fuel Systems is composed of two operating subsidiaries: IMPCO and BRC. IMPCO is a leader in the heavy duty, industrial, power generation and stationary engines sectors and recently established a U.S. Automotive division. BRC is a leader in the light duty and automobile alternative fuel sectors and has established alliances with several major automobile manufacturers for OEM projects. Additional information is available at www.fuelsystemssolutions.com.

About AFS

AFS, based in Calgary, Canada, is a leading developer and manufacturer of natural gas vehicle engine controllers and associated components. AFS common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AFX". Additional information is available at www.afsglobal.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond the control of AFS and Fuel Systems, including, without limitation, statements pertaining to the Offer. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Accordingly, prospective investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. A description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in AFS's filings on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Readers should also consider the risk factors set forth in Fuel Systems' reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those contained in the "Risk Factors" section of Fuel Systems' Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2010. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, neither AFS nor Fuel Systems assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts any responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CONTACT: Alternative Fuel Systems (2004) Inc.
         Jim Perry, President
         Phone: (403) 262-1833
         E-mail: jperry@afsglobal.com
         
         Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc.
         Matthew Beale, Co-President
         (646) 502-7170
         
         Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. Investor Relations Contacts:
         Lippert / Heilshorn & Associates
         Carolyn M. Capaccio
         ccapaccio@lhai.com
         Cathy Mattison
         cmattison@lhai.com
         (415) 433-3777
Alternative Fuel Systems (TSXV:AFX)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2024 to Dec 2024 Click Here for more Alternative Fuel Systems Charts.
Alternative Fuel Systems (TSXV:AFX)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 Click Here for more Alternative Fuel Systems Charts.