By Eyk Henning and Neetha Mahadevan
FRANKFURT--K+S AG on Friday said it rebuffed another unsolicited
takeover approach from Canadian rival Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan
Inc. that valued the German salt and fertilizer company at roughly
EUR7.9 billion ($8.63 billion).
The company said the proposed takeover price was unchanged at
EUR41 a share. However, Potash's new overture came with a business
combination agreement--more concrete than the initial informal
approach--that included commitments on job security and production
in Germany. Potash Corp. confirmed it had placed an offer but
declined to comment further.
"We are still convinced that the proposed price...does not at
all reflect the fundamental value. This is true for our existing
business but in particular for the value contribution of our Legacy
Project," said K+S's Chief Executive Norbert Steiner. He added that
Potash's proposal addressed the interests of K+S workers and local
communities but offered "no reliability."
This is the second time this year that K+S has refused an
approach from Potash. It rejected the first approach in July,
saying the offer undervalued its projects and products, and could
compromise jobs.
Analysts have said they consider a price of between EUR45 and
EUR55 a share to be fair.
K+S shares rose more than 1% to trading above EUR37 in response
to the news.
A combination of K+S and Potash, if successful, would be the
largest mining deal since Glencore International PLC's takeover of
Xstrata PLC for almost $30 billion in February 2012. Both companies
mine potash, a fertilizer, and a tie-up would create a business
that could control as much as 30% of the global market.
Bankers and analysts have said that Potash is especially
interested in a mine K+S is developing in the western Canadian
province of Saskatchewan because it would help the company gain
control over production capacities and price power in negotiations
with farmers.
Potash Chief Executive Jochen Tilk said in late July he believes
a combination with K+S would benefit the companies and that he
remains interested in holding talks with K+S management because a
merger would "enhance the breadth of each company's respective
portfolio, improve cash flow capabilities and provide a more stable
operating environment."
Mr. Tilk, a German, added that Potash, would seek a friendly
acquisition of K+S and that he was willing to make a binding
commitment to ensure that K+S operates as a separate brand and
keeps its headquarters in Germany.
He stressed that Potash is committed to building K+S's $4.1
billion potash mine in south Saskatchewan, the first such mine to
be built in the Canadian province in 40 years. The Legacy mine is
expected to start production late next year and reach full capacity
of 2.86 million metric tons by 2023.
Write to Eyk Henning at eyk.henning@wsj.com and Neetha Mahadevan
at neetha.mahadevan@wsj.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires