AI assistant
Samsonite Group S.A. — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2015
Apr 24, 2015
50259_rns_2015-04-24_68904521-2724-449f-b977-87ab42f0e388.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
Open in viewerOpens in your device viewer
THIS CIRCULAR IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
If you are in any doubt as to any aspect of this circular or as to the action to be taken, you should consult a stockbroker or other registered dealer in securities, a bank manager, solicitor, professional accountant or other professional adviser.
If you have sold or transferred all your shares in Samsonite International S.A., you should at once hand this circular, together with the enclosed form of proxy, to the purchaser or transferee or to the bank, stockbroker or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for transmission to the purchaser or transferee.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the contents of this circular, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss however arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this circular.
Samsonite®
SAMSONITE INTERNATIONAL S.A.
新秀麗國際有限公司
13–15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg
R.C.S. LUXEMBOURG: B 159469
(Incorporated in Luxembourg with limited liability)
(Stock code: 1910)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AND
INFORMATION ON PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AT
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AND
PROPOSED RE-ELECTION OF RETIRING DIRECTORS
AND
PROPOSED GRANTING OF GENERAL MANDATES TO
REPURCHASE SHARES AND TO ISSUE NEW SHARES
A notice convening the Annual General Meeting of Samsonite International S.A. to be held at 13–15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg and by video conference at 5/F, Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. (CET)/4:00 p.m. (Hong Kong time) is set out on pages 15 to 19 of this circular. A form of proxy for use at the Annual General Meeting is also enclosed. Such form of proxy is also published on the websites of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (http://www.hkexnews.hk) and the Company (www.samsonite.com).
Whether or not you are able to attend the Annual General Meeting, please complete and sign the enclosed form of proxy in accordance with the instructions printed thereon and return it to the Company’s branch share registrar in Hong Kong, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at 17M Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong or to the Company’s registered office at 13–15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg as soon as possible but in any event not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Completion and return of the form of proxy will not preclude shareholders from attending and voting in person at the Annual General Meeting if they so wish.
April 24, 2015
CONTENTS
Page
Definitions... 1
Letter from the Board
- Introduction ... 3
- Annual General Meeting and Proxy Arrangement ... 4
- Information on Proposed Resolutions at the Annual General Meeting ... 4
- Recommendation ... 8
Appendix I — Details of the Retiring Directors Proposed to be Re-elected at the Annual General Meeting ... 9
Appendix II — Explanatory Statement on the Share Buy-back Mandate ... 12
Notice of Annual General Meeting ... 15
— i —
DEFINITIONS
In this circular, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall have the following meanings:
“Annual General Meeting”
the annual general meeting of the Company to be held at 13–15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg and by video conference at 5/F, Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. (CET)/4:00 p.m. (Hong Kong time), to consider and, if appropriate, to approve the resolutions contained in the notice of the meeting which is set out on pages 15 to 19 of this circular, or any adjournment thereof;
“Articles of Incorporation”
the articles of incorporation of the Company currently in force;
“Benchmarked Price”
the higher of:
(i) the closing price of the Shares on the date of the relevant agreement involving the proposed issue of securities; and
(ii) the average closing price of the Shares in the five trading days immediately prior to the earlier of:
(A) the date of announcement of the proposed transaction or arrangement involving the proposed issue of securities;
(B) the date of the agreement involving the proposed issue of securities; and
(C) the date on which the subscription price for the securities is fixed;
“Board”
the board of Directors of the Company;
“Company”
Samsonite International S.A. 新秀麗國際有限公司, a société anonyme incorporated and existing under the laws of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg on March 8, 2011 having its registered office at 13–15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg trade and companies register with number B159469 with limited liability, the Shares of which are listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange;
“Directors”
the directors of the Company;
“Distribution”
as defined in paragraph 3 of the information on the proposed resolutions at the Annual General Meeting in the Letter from the Board;
“Group”
the Company and its subsidiaries;
— 1 —
DEFINITIONS
"HK$"
Hong Kong dollars, the lawful currency of Hong Kong;
"Hong Kong"
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China;
"ISS Guidelines"
the 2015 Hong Kong Proxy Voting Guidelines published by Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.;
"Issuance Mandate"
as defined in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the information on the proposed resolutions at the Annual General Meeting in the Letter from the Board;
"Latest Practicable Date"
April 17, 2015, being the latest practicable date prior to the printing of this circular for ascertaining certain information in this circular;
"Listing Rules"
the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange;
"Luxembourg Companies Law"
The Luxembourg law of August 10, 1915 on commercial companies and of the amending laws in force;
"SFO"
the Securities and Futures Ordinance, Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong, as amended from time to time;
"Share(s)"
ordinary shares of US$0.01 each in the capital of the Company;
"Share Award Scheme"
the share award scheme of the Company adopted by the Shareholders on September 14, 2012 as further amended by the Board on January 8, 2013;
"Share Buy-back Mandate"
as defined in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the information on the proposed resolutions at the Annual General Meeting in the Letter from the Board;
"Shareholders"
holders of Shares;
"Stock Exchange"
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited;
"Takeovers Code"
The Code on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Buy-backs issued by the Securities and Futures Commission, as amended from time to time;
"US$"
United States dollars, the lawful currency of the United States;
"%"
per cent;
"€"
Euros, the single currency of the participating member states of the European Union.
— 2 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
Samsonite
SAMSONITE INTERNATIONAL S.A.
新秀麗國際有限公司
13-15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg
R.C.S. LUXEMBOURG: B 159469
(Incorporated in Luxembourg with limited liability)
(Stock code: 1910)
Executive Directors:
Ramesh Tainwala (Chief Executive Officer)
Kyle Gendreau
Tom Korbas
Non-executive Director:
Timothy Parker (Chairman)
Independent Non-executive Directors:
Paul Etchells
Keith Hamill
Miguel Ko
Hardy McLain
Ying Yeh
Registered Office:
13-15 Avenue de la Liberté
L-1931
Luxembourg
Principal Place of Business in
Hong Kong:
25/F, Tower 2, The Gateway
Harbour City, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
April 24, 2015
To the Shareholders
Dear Sir/Madam,
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AND
INFORMATION ON PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AT
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AND
PROPOSED RE-ELECTION OF RETIRING DIRECTORS
AND
PROPOSED GRANTING OF GENERAL MANDATES TO
REPURCHASE SHARES AND TO ISSUE NEW SHARES
(1) INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this circular is to give notice of the Annual General Meeting and to provide the Shareholders with information in respect of the resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting, including information required to be provided under the Listing Rules in relation to (i) the re-election of the retiring Directors; and (ii) the granting to the Directors of the Share Buy-back Mandate and the Issuance Mandate to repurchase Shares and to issue new Shares, respectively.
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
(2) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND PROXY ARRANGEMENT
The notice of the Annual General Meeting is set out on pages 15 to 19 of this circular.
Pursuant to the Listing Rules and Article 13.5 of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, any vote of Shareholders at a general meeting must be taken by poll. An announcement on the poll vote results will be published by the Company after the Annual General Meeting in the manner prescribed under Rule 13.39(5) of the Listing Rules.
A form of proxy for use at the Annual General Meeting is enclosed with this circular and such form of proxy is also published on the websites of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (http://www.hkexnews.hk) and the Company (www.samsonite.com). To be valid, the form of proxy must be completed and signed in accordance with the instructions printed thereon and deposited at the Company’s branch share registrar in Hong Kong, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at 17M Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong or to the Company’s registered office at 13–15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg as soon as possible but in any event not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Completion and return of the form of proxy will not preclude Shareholders from attending and voting in person at the Annual General Meeting if they so wish.
(3) INFORMATION ON PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS:
- Adoption of audited statutory accounts and consolidated financial statements of the Company and reports from the Directors and auditors for the year ended December 31, 2014
Under Luxembourg law, the Company is required to issue audited statutory accounts as a stand-alone entity which are separate from the consolidated financial statements, together with reports from the Directors and the approved statutory auditor (réviseur d’entreprises agréé).
Under Luxembourg law, the Company is also required to issue consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB IFRS”) with a footnote reconciling to International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (“EU IFRS”). There are no significant differences between these consolidated financial statements and the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s annual report as required under the Listing Rules, although there are certain differences in the disclosures that are required as part of the Directors’ report.
Together with this circular, Shareholders will receive copies of:
(a) the audited statutory accounts, including the Directors’ report and approved statutory auditor’s (réviseur d’entreprises agréé) report;
(b) the audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IASB IFRS with a footnote reconciling to EU IFRS, including the Directors’ report and the related approved statutory auditor’s (réviseur d’entreprises agréé) report;
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
(c) the audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IASB IFRS, including the related Directors' report and external auditor's report (which are included as part of the Company's annual report); and
(d) the report drawn up by the Board in accordance with Article 10.9 of the Articles of Incorporation relating to, among other things, (i) the conflict of interest of Mr. Ramesh Dungarmal Tainwala, Mr. Kyle Francis Gendreau and Mr. Tom Korbas concerning the granting on January 7, 2015 by the Company of options in their favour and as regards to Mr. Ramesh Dungarmal Tainwala, also to his daughter, Mrs. Anushree Tainwala in accordance with the rules of the Share Award Scheme; and (ii) the conflict of interest of Mr. Ramesh Dungarmal Tainwala concerning the renewal of certain of the Company's continuing connected transactions and the approval of the Company's continuing connected transactions.
It is proposed that these statutory accounts and consolidated financial statements be adopted by the Shareholders.
2. Approval of the allocation of results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2014
It is proposed that the results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2014 will be allocated as described in the Directors' report on the audited statutory accounts of the Company.
3. Declaration of cash distribution to Shareholders
On March 16, 2015, the Board recommended that a cash distribution to Shareholders be made from the Company's ad hoc distributable reserve in the amount of US$88,000,000.00 (the "Distribution"). The proposed Distribution from the Company's ad hoc distributable reserve is subject to approval by the Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.
The payment of the Distribution shall be made in US dollars, except that payment to Shareholders whose names appear on the register of members in Hong Kong shall be paid in Hong Kong dollars. The relevant exchange rate shall be the opening buying rate of HK$ to US$ as announced by the Hong Kong Association of Banks (www.hkab.org.hk) on the day of the approval of the Distribution. The payment of the Distribution will not be subject to withholding tax under Luxembourg law.
4. Re-election of retiring Directors
In accordance with the code provision A.4.2 as set out in Appendix 14 of the Listing Rules, every director, including those appointed for a specific term, should be subject to retirement by rotation at least once every three years. In addition, in accordance with Article 8.1 of the Articles of Incorporation, the Directors shall be elected by Shareholders at a general meeting, which shall determine their number and term of office. The term of office of a Director shall be up to three years, upon the expiry of which each shall be eligible for re-election.
Accordingly, Mr. Ramesh Dungarmal Tainwala, Mr. Miguel Kai Kwun Ko and Mr. Keith Hamill shall retire by rotation, and being eligible, offer themselves for re-election at the Annual General Meeting for a proposed term of three years. The re-election of each of these Directors will be voted on by Shareholders individually.
Details of the retiring Directors are set out in Appendix I to this circular.
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
- Renewal of the mandate granted to KPMG Luxembourg (formerly KPMG Luxembourg S.à r.l.) to act as approved statutory auditor (réviseur d'entreprises agréé) of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2015
It is proposed that the Shareholders renew the mandate of KPMG Luxembourg to act as approved statutory auditor (réviseur d'entreprises agréé) of the Company under Luxembourg law for the year ending December 31, 2015.
- Re-appointment of KPMG LLP as external auditor of the Company
In accordance with Rule 13.88 of the Listing Rules, it is proposed that the Shareholders re-appoint KPMG LLP as the external auditor of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting.
7.-8. Proposed granting of general mandates to repurchase and issue Shares
At the general meeting of the Shareholders of the Company held on June 5, 2014, general mandates were granted to the Directors to repurchase and issue Shares respectively. Such mandates will lapse on the earliest of: (i) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company; (ii) the expiration of the period within which the next annual general meeting of the Company is required to be held by any applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation; or (iii) the time when such mandate is revoked or varied by an ordinary resolution of the Shareholders in a general meeting. In order to give the Company the flexibility to repurchase and issue Shares if and when appropriate, the following ordinary resolutions will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting to approve:
(a) the granting of the Issuance Mandate to the Directors to allot, issue or deal with additional Shares not exceeding 10% of the total number of issued Shares of the Company as at the date of passing of proposed ordinary resolution contained in paragraph 7 of the notice of the Annual General Meeting as set out on page 16 of this circular (i.e. a total of 140,953,224 Shares) as at the Latest Practicable Date on the basis that the issued share capital of the Company remains unchanged on the date of the Annual General Meeting), such Shares not to be issued for cash consideration at a discount of more than 10% to the Benchmarked Price of the Shares; and
(b) the granting of the Share Buy-back Mandate to the Directors to purchase Shares on the Stock Exchange not exceeding 10% of the total number of issued Shares of the Company as at the date of passing of proposed ordinary resolution contained in paragraph 8 of the notice of the Annual General Meeting as set out on page 17 of this circular (i.e. a total of 140,953,224 Shares) as at the Latest Practicable Date on the basis that the issued share capital of the Company remains unchanged on the date of the Annual General Meeting) within the limits referred to below.
The Board is recommending the granting of the Issuance Mandate for a maximum of 10% of the total number of issued Shares of the Company as at the date of passing of proposed ordinary resolution, and Shares issued for cash consideration under the Issuance Mandate will be subject to a maximum discount of 10% to the Benchmarked Price of the Shares, as opposed to the maximum limit of 20% of the total number of issued Shares of the Company and maximum discount of 20% to the Benchmarked Price of the Shares permitted under the Listing Rules. The Issuance Mandate recommended by the Board is consistent with the applicable ISS Guidelines.
— 6 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
In order to comply with the provisions of Luxembourg Companies Law which requires, among others, any purchase of Shares by the Company to be, without prejudice to the principle of equal treatment of all shareholders who are in the same position, within a specified price range approved by the Shareholders, it is proposed that the Board would only exercise the Share Buy-back Mandate to purchase any Shares within a price range of HK$13.50 and HK$33.50 per Share. In addition, in order to comply with the requirements of the Listing Rules, the maximum price at which the Company may purchase any Shares will not be higher by 5% or more than the average closing market price of the Shares on the Stock Exchange for the five trading days preceding the date of purchase of any such Shares. The price range referred to above should not be taken as any indication by the Board as to their views on the price at which the Shares may be traded on the Stock Exchange in the future (which is subject to, among others, the performance of the Company and market and other conditions which are not within the control of the Company) but is provided simply to facilitate a possible purchase by the Company of the Shares on the Stock Exchange in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations.
The Board notes that under the Listing Rules, the Company is required to cancel any Shares purchased by the Company as soon as reasonably practicable following such purchase. The Board further notes that under Luxembourg Companies Law, any share cancellation and consecutive share capital decrease will require the holding of an extraordinary general meeting of the Shareholders to approve such cancellation and share capital decrease. If the Company purchases any Shares pursuant to the Share Buy-back Mandate, an extraordinary general meeting of the Shareholders will be convened to approve the cancellation and share capital decrease in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations.
With reference to the Share Buy-back Mandate and Issuance Mandate, the Directors wish to state that they have no immediate plan to repurchase any Shares or issue any new any Shares pursuant thereto.
An explanatory statement required by the Listing Rules to provide the Shareholders with requisite information reasonably necessary for them to make an informed decision on whether to vote for or against the granting of the Share Buy-back Mandate is set out in Appendix II to this circular.
SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS
- Approval of the discharge granted to the Directors and KPMG Luxembourg for the exercise of their respective mandates during the year ended December 31, 2014
As required under Article 13.2 of the Articles of Incorporation and Article 74 of the Luxembourg Companies Law, it is proposed that the Shareholders approve by special resolution the discharge to be granted to the Directors and the approved statutory auditor (réviseur d'entreprises agréé) of the Company for the exercise of their respective mandates during the year ended December 31, 2014.
— 7 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
10. Approval of the remuneration to be granted to certain Directors
Under Article 13.2 of the Articles of Incorporation, the Shareholders shall approve by special resolution the remuneration to be granted to Directors.
It is proposed that the Shareholders approve the remuneration to be granted to Mr. Timothy Charles Parker in respect of his service as Non-executive Director and Chairman of the Board (i) for the financial year ending December 31, 2015 in an amount of US$500,000 plus (ii) for the period from October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 in an amount of US$125,000.
It is proposed that the Shareholders approve the remuneration to be granted to Mr. Miguel Ko, Ms. Ying Yeh, Mr. Keith Hamill and Mr. Hardy McLain for the financial year ending December 31, 2015 in an amount of US$125,000 for each such Director.
It is further proposed that the Shareholders approve the remuneration to be granted to Mr. Paul Etchells for the financial year ending December 31, 2015 in an amount of (i) US$125,000 in respect of his service as a Director plus (ii) US$40,000 in respect of his service as the chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board.
11. Approval of the remuneration to be granted to KPMG Luxembourg
Under Article 13.2 of the Articles of Incorporation, the Shareholders shall approve by special resolution the remuneration to be granted to the approved statutory auditor (réviseur d'entreprises agréé).
It is proposed that the Shareholders approve the remuneration to be granted to KPMG Luxembourg as the approved statutory auditor (réviseur d'entreprises agréé) of the Company, in an amount up to €52,000 for the financial year ending December 31, 2015.
(4) RECOMMENDATION
The Directors consider that the proposed resolutions described above, including the proposed re-election of retiring Directors and granting of the Share Buy-back Mandate and Issuance Mandate are in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders. Accordingly, the Directors recommend the Shareholders to vote in favour of all of the relevant resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
Yours faithfully,
For and on behalf of the Board
Timothy Charles Parker
Chairman
APPENDIX I
DETAILS OF THE RETIRING DIRECTORS PROPOSED TO BE RE-ELECTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The following are details of the Directors who will retire and being eligible, offer themselves for re-election at the Annual General Meeting.
(1) RAMESH DUNGARMAL TAINWALA
Mr. Ramesh Dungarmal Tainwala, aged 55, has served as an Executive Director of the Company since May 26, 2011 and as an executive director of the consolidated group since February 2011. Mr. Tainwala has served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer since October 1, 2014. In his role as Chief Executive Officer Mr. Tainwala is responsible for the Company's overall strategic planning and for managing the Group's operations. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tainwala served as the Company's Chief Operating Officer from March 2014 until October 2014. Before his appointment as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Tainwala served as the Company's President, Asia-Pacific and Middle East. Mr. Tainwala has been the General Manager of the Group's Middle Eastern operation since January 2007 and has been the Chief Operating Officer of the Group's Indian operation since June 2000. Prior to joining the Group in November 1995, Mr. Tainwala was an entrepreneur in the plastic processing and consumer goods industries including with Tainwala Chemicals & Plastics (India) Limited with which he was associated from 1985 to 2008. Mr. Tainwala was also an independent non-executive director of Donear Industries Limited (1990 to 2013) and Basant Agro Tech (India) Ltd. (2005 to 2013), both listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited. Mr. Tainwala holds a Master's degree in Management Studies from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India (1982).
Mr. Tainwala is subject to re-election for a period of 3 years at the Annual General Meeting of the Company in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation.
Save as disclosed, Mr. Tainwala does not have any relationship with any Directors, senior management or substantial or controlling Shareholders of the Company.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, Mr. Tainwala had a personal interest in 13,840,090 Shares or underlying Shares in the Company, including share options exercisable for 3,648,056 Shares that were granted to Mr. Tainwala under the Company's Share Award Scheme. Mr. Tainwala also had interests in 4,552,020 and 8 underlying Shares in the capital of Samsonite South Asia Private Limited and Samsonite Middle East FZCO respectively, both of which are associated corporations of the Company, within the meaning of Part XV of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong).
Mr. Tainwala did not receive any director's fee as an Executive Director of the Company but he did receive remuneration of US$1,254,000.00 and bonus of US$388,000.00 for the year ended December 31, 2014 in his capacity as the Group's President, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer for the periods from January 1, 2014 to March 17, 2014, March 18, 2014 to September 30, 2014 and October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014, respectively. Mr. Tainwala's remuneration is determined with reference to his duties, responsibilities and prevailing market conditions and his annual bonus is dependent on the performance of the Company and is subject to a maximum amount of 120% of Mr. Tainwala's fixed base salary. These are reviewed by the Remuneration Committee of the Board on an annual basis.
Save for the information disclosed above, there is no information which is discloseable nor is/was Mr. Tainwala involved in any of the matters required to be disclosed pursuant to any of the requirements under Rule 13.51(2)(h) to 13.51(2)(v) of the Listing Rules and there are no other matters concerning Mr. Tainwala that need to be brought to the attention of the Shareholders.
— 9 —
APPENDIX I
DETAILS OF THE RETIRING DIRECTORS PROPOSED TO BE RE-ELECTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(2) MIGUEL KAI KWUN KO
Mr. Miguel Kai Kwun Ko, aged 62, has served as an Independent Non-Executive Director since May 26, 2011. Mr. Ko has held various executive and non-executive positions in international hotel companies and other corporations in Asia. He is currently executive director of Singbridge Holdings Pte Ltd. and corporate advisor to Temasek International Advisors Pte Ltd. (each since October 2014) and non-executive chairman of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia-Pacific, from which he retired as President, Asia-Pacific in 2012 after working with Starwood Hotels & Resorts since 2000. Mr. Ko currently holds non-executive directorships in Merlin Entertainments Plc and Surbana International Consultants Holdings Pte Ltd., each since 2013 and Changi Airport Group since 2010. Prior to joining Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Mr. Ko held the position of deputy chairman and chief executive officer at City E-Solutions (formerly known as CDL Hotels) (2000), various positions including president at Pepsi-Cola International for Asia Pacific (1992 to 1999) and various positions at ITT Sheraton Corporation (1979 to 1992). Mr. Ko has also previously held various executive and non-executive directorships with Millennium and Copthorne plc UK, Amarin Plaza, Thailand, City e-Solutions Hong Kong (formerly known as CDL Hotels), Serm Suk Company, Thailand, Royal Orchid Hotel (Thailand) Public Company Ltd, Civil Aviation Authority, Singapore and Delta Topco Limited (a privately held holding company for Formula One PLC). Mr. Ko holds a BA in Economics from the University of Massachusetts (1975) and a MBA from Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA (1979). He also qualified as a Certified Public Accountant in New Hampshire in 1982, though does not currently practice.
Mr. Ko is subject to re-election for a period of 3 years at the Annual General Meeting of the Company in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation.
Save as disclosed, Mr. Ko does not have any relationship with any Directors, senior management or substantial or controlling Shareholders of the Company.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, Mr. Ko did not have any interest in the Shares or underlying Shares in the Company nor any associated corporation of the Company within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO.
Mr. Ko received director's fee amounting to US$100,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014 as an Independent Non-Executive Director, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, a member of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nomination Committee of the Company. The emoluments of Mr. Ko are determined by reference to his duties and responsibilities with the Company and the Company's remuneration policy and are subject to review by the Remuneration Committee from time to time. His emoluments are covered by the letter of appointment issued by the Company dated May 27, 2011.
Save for the information disclosed above, there is no information which is discloseable nor is/was Mr. Ko involved in any of the matters required to be disclosed pursuant to any of the requirements under Rule 13.51(2)(h) to 13.51(2)(v) of the Listing Rules and there are no other matters concerning Mr. Ko that need to be brought to the attention of the Shareholders.
— 10 —
APPENDIX I
DETAILS OF THE RETIRING DIRECTORS PROPOSED TO BE RE-ELECTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(3) KEITH HAMILL
Mr. Keith Hamill, aged 62, has served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company since June 5, 2014, before which he served as a Non-Executive Director from May 26, 2011 until June 5, 2014. He has served as a non-executive director of the consolidated group from October 2009 until May 2011. He is currently the chairman of Horsforth Holdings Ltd., a privately held investment holding company for a number of leisure businesses (since December 2011), chairman of Bagir Group Ltd., an apparel company listed on the AIM market operated by the London Stock Exchange (since April 2014), and an independent non-executive director of easyJet plc (since 2009), which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Mr. Hamill's prior experience includes being chairman of inter-dealer broker Tullett Prebon plc (2006 to 2013), stockbroker Collins Stewart plc (2000 to 2006) and software developer Alterian plc (2000 to 2011), and an independent non-executive director of the distribution group Electrocopments plc (1999 to 2008) and of Max Property Group plc (2010 to 2014), all of which are or were listed on the London Stock Exchange. He was also an independent non-executive director of NASDAQ-listed publisher and printer Cadmus Communications Inc. (2002 to 2007). Mr. Hamill has also chaired the board of a number of UK privately owned companies which included Endell Group Holdings Limited (parent company of Travelodge Hotels Limited) (2003 to 2012), insurance broker Heath Lambert Limited (2009 to 2011), HGL Holdings Limited (2005 to 2011) and construction business Avant Homes Limited (2013 to 2014). He was chief financial officer of hotel group Forte plc (1993 to 1996), retailer WH Smith plc (1996 to 2000) and United Distillers International Limited (1990 to 1993), and director of financial control at Guinness plc (1998 to 1991). Mr. Hamill was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (1986 to 1988). He was also chairman of the board of the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom. He holds a BA in Politics (1974) and an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Nottingham and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales.
Mr. Hamill is subject to re-election for a period of 3 years at the Annual General Meeting of the Company in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation.
Save as disclosed, Mr. Hamill does not have any relationship with any Directors, senior management or substantial or controlling Shareholders of the Company. Mr. Hamill was designated a non-executive director and not an independent non-executive director at the time of his appointment to the Board on May 26, 2011 as he was initially appointed by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, which ceased to be a substantial shareholder and connected person of the Company in September 2012 and ceased to be a shareholder of the Company in March 2013.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, Mr. Hamill had a personal interest in 193,745 Shares or underlying Shares in the Company within the meaning of Part XV of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong).
Mr. Hamill received director's fee amounting US$100,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014 as an Independent Non-Executive Director and a member of the Audit Committee of the Company. The emoluments of Mr. Hamill are determined by reference to his duties and responsibilities with the Company and the Company's remuneration policy and are subject to review by the Remuneration Committee from time to time. His emoluments are covered by the letter of appointment issued by the Company dated May 27, 2011.
Save for the information disclosed above, there is no information which is disclosed to us/was Mr. Hamill involved in any of the matters required to be disclosed pursuant to any of the requirements under Rule 13.51(2)(h) to 13.51(2)(v) of the Listing Rules and there are no other matters concerning Mr. Hamill that need to be brought to the attention of the Shareholders.
— 11 —
APPENDIX II
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON THE SHARE BUY-BACK MANDATE
The following is an explanatory statement required by the Listing Rules to provide the Shareholders with requisite information reasonably necessary for them to make an informed decision on whether to vote for or against the ordinary resolution to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting in relation to the granting of the Share Buy-back Mandate.
1. SHARE CAPITAL
As at the Latest Practicable Date, the issued share capital of the Company comprised 1,409,532,241 Shares.
Subject to the passing of the ordinary resolution set out in item 8 of the notice of the Annual General Meeting in respect of the granting of the Share Buy-back Mandate and on the basis that no further Shares are issued or repurchased before the Annual General Meeting to be held on June 4, 2015, the Directors would be authorized under the Share Buy-back Mandate to repurchase, during the period in which the Share Buy-back Mandate remains in force, a total of 140,953,224 Shares, representing 10% of the total number of Shares in issue as at the date of the Annual General Meeting (excluding the Shares that are held in treasury pending cancellation) within the limits referred to in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the information on the proposed resolutions at the Annual General Meeting in the Letter from the Board.
2. REASONS FOR SHARE BUY-BACK
The Directors believe that the granting of the Share Buy-back Mandate is in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders.
Share buy-back may, depending on the market conditions and funding arrangements at the time, lead to an enhancement of the net asset value per Share and/or earnings per Share and will only be made when the Directors believe that such a buy-back will benefit the Company and the Shareholders.
3. FUNDING OF SHARE BUY-BACK
Shares buy-back must be funded out of funds legally available for the purpose in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and the Listing Rules and the applicable laws of Luxembourg. A listed company may not repurchase its own securities on the Stock Exchange for a consideration other than cash or for settlement otherwise than in accordance with the trading rules of the Stock Exchange. Subject to the foregoing, any buy-back by the Company may be made out of the Company's funds which would otherwise be available for dividend or distribution or out of the proceeds of a new issue of Shares made for the purpose of the buy-back. Any amount of premium payable on the purchase over the par value of the Shares to be repurchased must be paid out of the funds which would otherwise be available for dividend or distribution or from sums standing to the credit of the Company's share premium account.
4. IMPACT OF SHARE BUY-BACK
There might be a material adverse impact on the working capital or gearing position of the Company (as compared with the position disclosed in the audited accounts contained in the annual report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2014) in the event that the Share Buy-back Mandate was to be carried out in full at any time during the proposed buy-back period. However, the Directors do not intend to exercise the Share Buy-back Mandate to such extent as would, in the circumstances, have a material adverse effect on the working capital requirements of the Company or the gearing levels which in the opinion of the Directors are from time to time appropriate for the Company.
APPENDIX II
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON THE SHARE BUY-BACK MANDATE
5. MARKET PRICES OF SHARES
The highest and lowest prices per Share at which Shares have traded on the Stock Exchange during each of the previous 12 months were as follows:
| Month | Highest
HK$ | Lowest
HK$ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| April, 2014 | 25.55 | 23.50 |
| May, 2014 | 26.30 | 23.85 |
| June, 2014 | 26.30 | 23.00 |
| July, 2014 | 26.45 | 23.85 |
| August, 2014 | 26.85 | 22.90 |
| September, 2014 | 27.75 | 24.60 |
| October, 2014 | 26.35 | 22.90 |
| November, 2014 | 28.05 | 25.60 |
| December, 2014 | 26.55 | 22.70 |
| January, 2015 | 26.00 | 21.90 |
| February, 2015 | 25.35 | 22.20 |
| March, 2015 | 27.30 | 24.50 |
| April, 2015 (up to the Latest Practicable Date) | 29.30 | 26.50 |
6. GENERAL
To the best of their knowledge and having made all reasonable enquiries, none of the Directors nor any of their respective close associates (as defined in the Listing Rules) have any present intention to sell any Shares to the Company in the event that the granting of the Share Buy-back Mandate is approved by the Shareholders.
The Company has not been notified by any connected persons (as defined in the Listing Rules) of the Company that they have a present intention to sell any Shares to the Company, or that they have undertaken not to sell any Shares held by them to the Company in the event that the granting of the Share Buy-back Mandate is approved by the Shareholders.
The Directors have undertaken to the Stock Exchange to exercise the power of the Company to make repurchases of Shares pursuant to the Share Buy-back Mandate in accordance with the Listing Rules and the applicable laws of Luxembourg.
APPENDIX II
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON THE SHARE BUY-BACK MANDATE
7. TAKEOVERS CODE
If as a result of a buy-back of Shares pursuant to the Share Buy-back Mandate, a Shareholder’s proportionate interest in the voting rights of the Company increases, such increase will be treated as an acquisition of voting rights for the purposes of the Takeovers Code. Accordingly, a Shareholder or a group of Shareholders acting in concert (within the meaning under the Takeovers Code), depending on the level of increase in the Shareholders’ interest, could obtain or consolidate control of the Company and thereby become obliged to make a mandatory offer in accordance with Rule 26 of the Takeovers Code.
To the best knowledge of the Company, as at the Latest Practicable Date, JPMorgan Chase & Co., T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and its affiliates, Wellington Management Company, LLP, Morgan Stanley, FIL Limited and The Capital Group Companies, Inc., the substantial shareholders of the Company (as defined in the Listing Rules), were interested in 139,674,033, 99,613,900, 91,623,694, 86,369,412, 85,468,150 and 75,012,500 Shares respectively representing approximately 9.90%, 7.06%, 6.50%, 6.12%, 6.06% and 5.32% of the total issued share capital of the Company respectively. In the event that the Directors exercise the proposed Share Buy-back Mandate in full, the shareholding of JPMorgan Chase & Co., T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and its affiliates, Morgan Stanley, Wellington Management Company, LLP, FIL Limited and The Capital Group Companies, Inc., would be increased to approximately 11.01%, 7.85%, 7.22%, 6.80%, 6.73% and 5.91% of the issued share capital of the Company respectively, based upon their shareholdings as at the Latest Practicable Date.
The Directors are not aware of any consequences which may give rise to an obligation to make a mandatory offer under Rule 26 of the Takeovers Code. The Directors do not propose to exercise the Share Buy-back Mandate to such an extent as would, in the circumstances, give rise to an obligation to make a mandatory offer in accordance with Rule 26 of the Takeovers Code and/or result in the aggregate number of Shares held by the public shareholders falling below the prescribed minimum percentage required by the Stock Exchange.
8. SHARE BUY-BACK MADE BY THE COMPANY
During the six months prior to the Latest Practicable Date, the Company had not repurchased any of the Shares (whether on the Stock Exchange or otherwise).
— 14 —
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Samsonite
SAMSONITE INTERNATIONAL S.A.
新秀麗國際有限公司
13-15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg
R.C.S. LUXEMBOURG: B 159469
(Incorporated in Luxembourg with limited liability)
(Stock code: 1910)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that an annual general meeting (the “Annual General Meeting”) of Samsonite International S.A. (the “Company”) will be held at 13–15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg and by video conference at 5/F, Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. (CET)/4:00 p.m. (Hong Kong time) for the purposes of considering and, if thought fit, passing (with or without amendments) the following resolutions:
ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS
To consider and, if thought fit, pass with or without amendments, the following resolutions as ordinary resolutions:
- To receive and adopt the audited statutory accounts and audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and the reports of the directors of the Company (the “Directors”) and auditors for the year ended December 31, 2014.
- To approve the allocation of the results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2014.
- To declare a cash distribution to the shareholders of the Company in an amount of eighty-eight million United States dollars (US$88,000,000.00) out of the Company’s distributable ad hoc reserve.
- To re-elect the following retiring Directors for a period of three years:
(i) Mr. Ramesh Dungarmal Tainwala;
(ii) Mr. Miguel Kai Kwun Ko; and
(iii) Mr. Keith Hamill.
- To renew the mandate granted to KPMG Luxembourg (formerly KPMG Luxembourg S.à r.l.) to act as approved statutory auditor (réviseur d'entreprises agréé) of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2015.
- To re-appoint KPMG LLP as the external auditor of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting of the Company.
— 15 —
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
- "THAT:
(a) subject to paragraphs 7(c) and (d) below, a general mandate be and is hereby generally and unconditionally given to the Directors of the Company during the Applicable Period (as defined below) to allot, issue and deal with additional shares in the capital of the Company ("Shares") or securities convertible into Shares or options, warrants or similar rights to subscribe for Shares or such convertible securities and to make or grant offers, agreements and options which would or might require the exercise of such powers;
(b) the mandate in paragraph 7(a) above shall authorize the Directors of the Company to make or grant offers, agreements and options during the Applicable Period which would or might require the exercise of such powers after the end of the Applicable Period;
(c) the total number of Shares allotted or agreed conditionally or unconditionally to be allotted by the Directors pursuant to the mandate in paragraph 7(a) above, otherwise than pursuant to:
(i) a Rights Issue (as defined below); or
(ii) the exercise of any options under the share award scheme of the Company or any other option, scheme or similar arrangements for the time being adopted for the grant or issue to the Directors, officers and/or employees of the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries of shares or rights to acquire Shares of the Company; or
(iii) any scrip dividend scheme or similar arrangement providing for the allotment of Shares in lieu of the whole or part of a dividend on Shares of the Company in accordance with the articles of incorporation of the Company; or
(iv) a specific authority granted by the shareholders of the Company in general meeting,
shall not exceed 10 per cent. of the total number of the issued Shares of the Company as at the date of the passing of this resolution and the said mandate shall be limited accordingly; and
(d) the mandate in paragraph 7(a) above shall authorize the Directors of the Company to allot and issue, or agree conditionally or unconditionally to allot and issue, Shares or securities convertible with Shares for cash consideration, provided that the relevant price for securities shall not represent a discount of more than 10 per cent. to the Benchmarked Price (as defined below) of the Shares; and
(e) for the purposes of this resolution:
"Applicable Period" means the period from the passing of this resolution until whichever is the earliest of:
(i) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company;
(ii) the expiration of the period within which the next annual general meeting of the Company is required by the articles of incorporation of the Company or any applicable laws to be held; and
— 16 —
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(iii) the date on which the authority set out in this resolution is revoked or varied by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the Company in general meeting.”
“Benchmarked Price” means the higher of:
(i) the closing price of the Shares on the date of the relevant agreement involving the proposed issue of securities; and
(ii) the average closing price of the Shares in the five trading days immediately prior to the earlier of:
(A) the date of announcement of the proposed transaction or arrangement involving the proposed issue of securities;
(B) the date of the agreement involving the proposed issue of securities; and
(C) the date on which the subscription price for the securities is fixed.
“Rights Issue” means an offer of Shares open for a period fixed by the Directors to holders of Shares of the Company or any class thereof on the register on a fixed record date in proportion to their then holdings of such Shares or class thereof (subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to fractional entitlements or having regard to any restrictions or obligations under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction or the requirements of any recognized regulatory body or any stock exchange).
- “THAT:
(a) subject to paragraph 8(b) below, a general mandate be and is hereby generally and unconditionally given to the Directors of the Company to exercise during the Applicable Period (as defined in paragraph 7(d) above) all the powers of the Company to purchase its Shares in accordance with all applicable law, rules and regulations; and
(b) (i) the total number of Shares of the Company to be purchased pursuant to the mandate in paragraph 8(a) above shall not exceed 10 per cent. of the total number of the issued Shares of the Company as at the date of passing of this resolution and (ii) the price at which any Shares of the Company may be purchased shall be within the range of HK$13.50 and HK$33.50 per Share and shall not be higher by five per cent. or more than the average closing market price of the Shares on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited for the five trading days preceding the date of purchase of any such Shares by the Company, and the said mandate shall be limited accordingly.”
— 17 —
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS
To consider and, if thought fit, pass with or without amendments, the following resolutions as special resolutions:
-
To approve the discharge granted to the Directors and the approved statutory auditor (réviseur d'entreprises agréé) of the Company for the exercise of their respective mandates during the year ended December 31, 2014.
-
To approve the remuneration to be granted to certain Directors of the Company.
-
To approve the remuneration to be granted to KPMG Luxembourg as the approved statutory auditor (réviseur d'entreprises agréé) of the Company.
By Order of the Board
SAMSONITE INTERNATIONAL S.A.
Timothy Charles Parker
Chairman
Hong Kong, April 24, 2015
Notes:
-
All resolutions at the Annual General Meeting will be taken by poll pursuant to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Listing Rules") and the results of the poll will be published on the websites of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the Company in accordance with the Listing Rules.
-
Any shareholder of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the above meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of him. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the Company. If more than one proxy is so appointed, the appointment shall specify the number and class of Shares in respect of which each such proxy is so appointed.
-
Any shareholder of the Company whose ownership is either recorded through the Central Clearing and Settlement System ("CCASS") or maintained with a licensed securities dealer (i.e. not directly recorded in his own name in the Register of Members of the Company) shall only be entitled to vote by providing its instructions to vote to HKSCC Nominees Limited either directly as a CCASS Participant or through its licensed securities dealer and the relevant financial intermediaries. In order to attend and vote at the meeting, any such shareholder shall be appointed by HKSCC Nominees Limited as its proxy to attend and vote instead of him.
-
In order to be valid, the form of proxy must be deposited at the Company's branch share registrar in Hong Kong, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at 17M Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong or to the Company's registered office at 13-15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Delivery of the form of proxy shall not preclude a shareholder of the Company from attending and voting in person at the meeting and, in such event, the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to be revoked.
-
For determining the entitlement to attend and vote at the above meeting, the Register of Members of the Company will be closed from Tuesday, June 2, 2015 to Thursday, June 4, 2015, both dates inclusive, during which period no transfer of Shares will be registered. In order to be eligible to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting, all transfer documents accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged with the Company's registered office at 13-15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg or with the Company's branch share registrar in Hong Kong, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at Shops 1712-1717 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong for registration not later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2015.
— 18 —
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
-
For determining the entitlement to the proposed cash distribution, the Register of Members of the Company will be closed from Saturday, June 13, 2015 to Wednesday, June 17, 2015, both dates inclusive, during which period no transfer of Shares will be registered. In order to be entitled to receive the proposed cash distribution, all transfer documents accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged with the Company's registered office at 13–15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg or with the Company's branch share registrar in Hong Kong, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at Shops 1712–1717 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong for registration not later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2015.
-
If a black rainstorm warning or a tropical cyclone warning signal number 8 or above is hoisted at or after 12 noon on June 4, 2015, the above meeting will not be held in Hong Kong on June 4, 2015 but will continue to be held at the Company's registered office in Luxembourg at 13–15 Avenue de la Liberté, L-1931 Luxembourg.
— 19 —