⁍ EP Global Commerce, an acquisition vehicle owned by Czech and Slovak investors, is launching a takeover offer for shares in German wholesaler Metro B4B.DE.

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⁍ The firm, co-owned by Czech investor Daniel Kretinsky and Slovak partner Patrik Tkac, said the offer ‘enables all shareholders of Metro AG to monetize their investment in Metro AG at the offered prices

– A Czech- and Slovak-owned acquisition vehicle is offering to buy out the rest of German wholesaler Metro AG in a deal that values the company at about $3.3 billion, Reuters reports. The offer price of ⁇ 8 per ordinary share and ⁇ 9 per preference share is just above Friday’s closing price. EP Global Commerce, an acquisition vehicle owned by Czech and Slovak investors, is launching the takeover offer for shares in German wholesaler Metro B4B.DE with the aim of raising its investment in the company above 30%, it said in a statement. “EP Global Commerce aims to increase its investment in Metro AG above 30% to give itself more flexibility in the future and without having to make a mandatory takeover offer,” it said in a statement. “There will be no minimum acceptance threshold and EP Global Commerce does not expect to hold more than 50% of the voting rights following settlement of the takeover offer,” it added. The firm, co-owned by Czech investor Daniel Kretinsky and Slovak partner Patrik Tkac, said the offer ‘enables all shareholders of Metro AG to monetize their investment in Metro AG at the offered prices.’ ‘The ultimate shareholders of EP Global Commerce are long-term oriented investors who have the goal to support strengthening Metro’s position and operating performance,’ EP Global Commerce said.