Diebold Nixdorf initiates merger squeeze-out of German subsidiary

Diebold Nixdorf (NYSE: DBD) today launched the formal process to merge the company's German subsidiary, Diebold Nixdorf AG, with and into Diebold Nixdorf Holding Germany Inc. & Co. KGaA (Diebold KGaA), a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Diebold Nixdorf, Inc.

This process includes a squeeze-out of the remaining minority shareholders of Diebold Nixdorf AG, utilizing funds set aside for this purpose. As a result of the merger squeeze-out, Diebold Nixdorf AG will be eliminated as a separate corporate entity and the listing of Diebold Nixdorf AG shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange will be terminated. When complete, the company will no longer be required to pay annual dividends to minority shareholders nor bear the administrative burdens relating to operating a German public company.

"As previously announced, we are taking decisive steps to reduce cost and complexity in our business," said Gerrard Schmid, Diebold Nixdorf president and chief executive officer. "This step represents an important and final milestone in the acquisition of Wincor Nixdorf and further simplifies the structure of our company, eliminating annual cash expenditures which previously totaled more than $20 million per year. At least $13 million of these cash expenditure reductions have been realized in 2018 based on minority shares tendered to date this year."

Diebold KGaA currently owns approximately 28 million shares in Diebold Nixdorf AG corresponding to 94 percent of the share capital of Diebold Nixdorf AG (excluding treasury shares). 

View the full press release from Finextra here.