Conversion Report (PDF, 958
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This document is an English translation of the original German language document. The translation is exclusively for convenience purposes. Only the original German language document is authorative and binding. Fresenius SE Change of the Legal Form into a Partnership Limited by Shares Conversion Report of the Management Board Convenience Translation Important Notice: This conversion report is neither an offer to sell voting ordinary bearer shares or non-voting preference bearer shares, nor an invitation to make the Company an offer to buy voting ordinary bearer shares or non-voting preference bearer shares. Such an offer requires special publication as the case may be, and, in so far as required by national law, a separate prospectus. This conversion report is not an offer to sell securities in the United States of America (USA). Securities may be sold or offered for purchase in the USA only with prior registration or without prior registration only on the basis of an exception provided. This conversion report is neither an offer to sell voting ordinary limited partner shares nor an invitation to make the Company an offer to buy voting ordinary limited partner shares. Such an offer requires special publication as the case may be, and, in so far as required by national law, a separate prospectus. This conversion report is not an offer to sell securities in the USA. Securities may be sold or offered for purchase in the USA only with prior registration or without prior registration only on the basis of an exception provided. This document does not constitute an offer document or an offer of transferable securities to the public in the United Kingdom to which section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 of the United Kingdom (“FSMA”) applies and should not be considered as a recommen- dation that any person should subscribe for or purchase any securities as part of the Transaction. This document is being communicated only to: (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom; (ii) persons who are members of the Company and falling within article 43 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended) (the “Order”) (iii) persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within article 19(5) of the Order; or (iv) high net worth companies, unincorporated associations and other bodies who fall within article 49(2) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “Relevant Persons”). Any person who is not a Relevant Person must not act or rely on this communication or any of its contents. Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. No part of this document should be published, reproduced, distributed or otherwise made available in whole or in part to any other person without the prior written consent of the Company. (This page intentionally left blank) Convenience Translation TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction . ....................................................... 1 2. Fresenius SE . ....................................................... 4 2.1 General Information on Fresenius SE . .............................. 4 2.2 History and Development .......................................... 4 2.3 Business Activities of Fresenius . .................................... 5 2.3.1 The Strategy of the Fresenius Group . ....................... 8 2.3.2 Overview of the Business Segments ........................... 9 2.3.3 Fresenius Medical Care . .................................... 10 2.3.4 Fresenius Kabi . .......................................... 12 2.3.5 Fresenius Helios. .......................................... 13 2.3.6 Fresenius Vamed .......................................... 14 2.3.7 Segment Corporate/Other ................................... 15 2.4 Corporate Bodies . ................................................ 16 2.4.1 Management Board ........................................ 16 2.4.2 Supervisory Board ......................................... 18 2.5 Employees and Co-Determination ................................... 23 2.6 Capital . ....................................................... 24 2.6.1 General . ................................................ 24 2.6.2 Authorized Capital......................................... 25 2.6.3 Conditional Capital ........................................ 26 2.7 Group Structure and Participations................................... 28 2.7.1 Group Structure . .......................................... 29 2.7.2 Shareholder Structure . .................................... 30 3. Overview of the Transaction and Financial and Legal Grounds for the Change of the Legal Form and the Related Conversion of all Preference Shares into Ordinary Shares ...................................................... 31 3.1 Conversion of Preference Shares into Ordinary Shares. ................. 31 3.1.1 Description of Preference and Ordinary Shares . ................. 31 3.1.2 Consolidation of Classes of Shares............................ 33 3.1.3 Reasons for the Conversion of Preference Shares into Ordinary Shares . ................................................ 34 3.1.4 Amendments to the Articles of Association Arising from the Conversion ............................................... 37 3.2 Change of the Legal Form to a Partnership Limited by Shares (Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien) .................................. 37 3.2.1 Interests of the Else Kro¨ner-Fresenius-Foundation ............... 37 3.2.2 Interests of Outside Shareholders ............................. 38 3.2.3 Effect of the Change of the Legal Form on the Stock Exchange Price .................................................... 39 3.2.4 Advantages of the Transaction for the Company and its Shareholders.............................................. 40 3.3 Appropriateness of the Ownership Structure ........................... 41 -i- Convenience Translation 3.4 Cross-Border Merger.............................................. 43 3.4.1 Reasons in favor of the Cross-Border Merger . ................. 43 3.4.2 Steps and Procedures of the Cross-Border Merger ............... 45 3.5 Costs of the Transaction .......................................... 45 4. The Method of Change of the Legal Form and Explanation of the Conversion Resolution . ....................................................... 46 4.1 Procedure for the Change of the Legal Form . ....................... 46 4.2 Significant Legal Steps in the Conversion ............................ 46 4.3 Explanation of the Conversion Resolution ............................ 49 4.3.1 Conversion into a Partnership Limited by Shares (Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien) .......................... 49 4.3.2 The Corporate Name of the Entity in its new Legal Form . ..... 50 4.3.3 Participation of the Shareholders in the Entity in its new Legal Form . ................................................ 50 4.3.4 Accession of the General Partner Fresenius Management SE. ..... 51 4.3.5 Special Rights and Benefits . .............................. 52 4.3.6 Approval of the new Articles of Association of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA .............................................. 53 4.3.7 Employee Participation Programs and Conditional Capital. ..... 54 4.3.8 No Offer of Compensation to the Shareholders ................. 55 4.3.9 Consequences of the Change of the Legal Form for the Employees and their Representations .................................. 56 4.4 Supervisory Board of the Entity in its new Legal Form ................. 61 4.5 Reasons for the Change of the Legal Form and Alternatives . ........... 62 5. Operative, Financial, Accounting and Tax Effects........................... 65 5.1 Operative Effects . ................................................ 65 5.2 Financial and Accounting Effects.................................... 65 5.2.1 Change of the Legal Form .................................. 65 5.2.2 Conversion of Preference Shares into Ordinary Shares . ........... 65 5.3 Tax Effects for the Company . .................................... 66 5.3.1 Change of the Legal Form .................................. 66 5.3.2 Conversion of Preference Shares into Ordinary Shares . ........... 66 5.4 Tax Effects for the Shareholders .................................... 66 5.4.1 Change of the Legal Form .................................. 67 5.4.2 Conversion of Preference Shares into Ordinary Shares . ........... 67 6. Description of the Conversion of Preference Shares into Ordinary Shares . ..... 68 6.1 Consolidation of the Classes of Shares . .............................. 68 6.1.1 Cancelation of the Preferential Dividend ....................... 68 6.1.2 Effects on the Shareholders.................................. 68 6.2 Amendment of the Employee Participation Programs. ................. 69 6.2.1 Subject Matter and Process of Amendment ..................... 69 6.2.2 Effects of the Amendments on the Shareholders ................. 74 6.3 Amendment of the Authorized Capitals . .............................. 74 -ii- Convenience Translation 7. The Future Participation of the Shareholders in Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA. ..... 76 7.1 General Description of the Legal Form of a “Partnership Limited by Shares” (KGaA) . ....................................................... 76 7.1.1 The KGaA as a Mixed Form under Corporate Law . ........... 76 7.1.2 The Corporate Bodies of the KGaA ........................... 76 7.1.3 Position of the Members