Unizon Capital To Acquire Asahi Tec Via Tender Offer

Unizon Capital Inc., a major private equity firm, announced that Unizon Capital, through its fund and investment vehicle, made a two-step tender offer for Asahi Tec Co., an auto-based components manufacturer. The first TOB price is set at 27 yen, a 17.39% premium over a 3 month average, for the major shareholders, Ripplewood Holdings Japan (RHJ) International and Tokyo Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. They agreed to the offer. Later, the second TOB price was set at 33 yen, a 43.48% premium over a 3 month average, for general shareholders. RHJ International started to invest in May 2003.