Empresas y finanzas

CEMEX Offers to Acquire Rinker for US$12.8 Billion



    CEMEX, S.A.B. de C. V. ("CEMEX") (NYSE: CX) today announced that
    it intends to make an offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares
    of Rinker Group Limited ("Rinker") (ASX: RIN, NYSE ADR: RIN) for
    US$13.00 per share, equivalent to A$17.00(1) per share, in cash. The
    offer represents a 26.2% premium over the three month volume weighted
    average price of Rinker's shares and a premium of 27.0% over its
    closing price(2) on the Australian Stock Exchange on October 27, 2006.
    This represents a multiple of 9.2 times Rinker's EBITDA in the twelve
    months to the last reported quarter, June 30, 2006. The total
    enterprise value of the transaction, including Rinker's debt, is
    approximately US$12.8 billion, equivalent to A$16.8 billion(1).

    The combination of CEMEX and Rinker will create one of the world's
    largest and most profitable building materials companies with pro
    forma revenues of US$23.2 billion and more than 67,000 employees in
    more than 50 countries.

    Lorenzo H. Zambrano, Chairman and CEO of CEMEX, said, "Combining
    Rinker with CEMEX will generate value for the shareholders of both
    companies. Rinker's strong presence in key regions of the U.S., which
    complements our existing U.S. operations, will significantly
    strengthen our ability to serve customers in the world's largest and
    most dynamic building materials market. At the same time, Rinker's
    attractive position in Australia extends CEMEX's global network into
    an exciting new market.

    "Our offer provides full and fair value to Rinker shareholders and
    makes good strategic and financial sense for CEMEX. The complementary
    nature of the two businesses uniquely positions us to unlock Rinker's
    inherent value, which is reflected in the substantial premium that we
    are offering Rinker's shareholders.

    "CEMEX has a proven track record of disciplined acquisitions and
    successful integrations. The acquisition of Rinker meets our strict
    investment criteria and will further reduce the volatility of CEMEX's
    cash flow and our cost of capital."

    CEMEX expects to achieve approximately US$130 million pre-tax of
    annual cost synergies by the third year following the acquisition of
    Rinker, primarily from the sharing of best practices and the
    implementation of CEMEX's standardized business processes throughout
    the combined company.

    "We expect this transaction to be immediately accretive to free
    cash flow and to cash earnings per share", Mr. Zambrano said. "We are
    committed to restoring our financial flexibility, as measured by
    reducing the ratio of net debt to EBITDA, to no more than 2.7 within
    two years. We did this after Southdown and after RMC, and we will do
    so after this transaction."

    The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions,
    including the acquisition of more than 90% of Rinker shares,
    Australian and U.S. regulatory approval and approval by CEMEX
    shareholders. The offer is also for all outstanding American
    depositary shares of Rinker (NYSE ADR: RIN) for US$65.00 per American
    depositary share in cash. Each Rinker American depositary share
    represents a beneficial interest in five shares of Rinker. A summary
    of the conditions to the Offer is attached in Appendix A.

    CEMEX has obtained committed facilities, sufficient to satisfy in
    full the cash consideration payable to Rinker shareholders under the
    terms of the offer.

    CEMEX's offer is being made in U.S. Dollars, consistent with
    Rinker's reporting currency and reflecting the location of the vast
    majority of its assets. Rinker's shareholders will be given the
    opportunity to elect to receive their offer consideration in
    Australian Dollars, converted at the exchange rate prevailing at the
    time of payment.

    Citigroup is acting as lead financial advisor to CEMEX and JP
    Morgan is acting as co-financial advisor. Allens Arthur Robinson and
    Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP are acting as legal counsel to CEMEX in
    relation to the offer.

    Webcast and presentations

    A webcast presentation will be accessible live at 10:00 AM U.S.
    EST. You may access the live presentation at www.cemex.com, or you may
    access the audio-only conference call by dialing +1 617-614-3473 and
    entering the passcode 96960039.

    A recording of the webcast and the conference call will be
    available from 1:00 PM U.S. EST on October 27 (3:00 AM Sydney time on
    October 28). You may access the webcast recording at www.cemex.com, or
    by dialing +1 617-801-6888. The recording passcode is 90642654.

    CEMEX is a growing global building solutions company that provides
    high quality products and reliable service to customers and
    communities in more than 50 countries throughout the world.
    Commemorating its 100th anniversary in 2006, CEMEX has a rich history
    of improving the well-being of those it serves through its efforts to
    pursue innovative industry solutions and efficiency advancements and
    to promote a sustainable future. For more information, visit
    www.cemex.com.

    The Bidder's Statement will be lodged with the Australian
    Securities and Investments Commission, the Australian Stock Exchange,
    the Mexican Stock Exchange and Mexican Stock Market Authorities
    shortly. When the Bidder's Statement is sent to Rinker's shareholders,
    it will be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
    Commission (the "Commission").

    Investors and security holders are urged to read the Bidder's
    Statement from CEMEX Australia Pty Ltd ("Bidder") regarding the
    proposed Offer described above, when it becomes available, as it will
    contain important information. Once filed in the United States with
    the Commission, the Bidder's Statement will be available on the
    Commission's web site. Investors and security holders may obtain a
    free copy of the Bidder's Statement (when it is available) and other
    documents filed by Bidder with the Commission on the Commission's web
    site at www.sec.gov. The Bidder's Statement and these other documents
    may also be obtained for free from Bidder, when they become available,
    by directing a request to the CEMEX Offer Information Line on 1300 721
    344 (within Australia) or 1 (866) 244 -1296 (toll free within the
    United States).

    This document includes "forward-looking statements." These
    statements contain the words "anticipate", "believe", "intend",
    "estimate", "expect" and words of similar meaning. All statements
    other than statements of historical facts included in this document,
    including, without limitation, those regarding CEMEX's financial
    position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for
    future operations (including development plans and objectives relating
    to CEMEX's products and services) are forward-looking statements. Such
    forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
    uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual
    results, performance or achievements of CEMEX to be materially
    different from future results, performance or achievements expressed
    or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking
    statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding CEMEX's
    operations and present and future business strategies and the
    environment in which CEMEX will operate in the future. These
    forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document.
    Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such statements, estimates
    or projections will be realized. None of the projections or
    assumptions in this document should be taken as forecasts or promises
    nor should they be taken as implying any indication, assurance or
    guarantee that the assumptions on which such projections have been
    prepared are correct or exhaustive or, in the case of assumptions,
    fully stated in this press release. CEMEX expressly disclaims any
    obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to
    any forward-looking information contained herein to reflect any change
    in CEMEX's results or expectations with regard thereto or any change
    in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is
    based, except as required by law. The projections and forecasts
    included in the forward-looking statements herein were not prepared in
    accordance with published guidelines of the American Institute of
    Certified Public Accountants, the Commission or any similar body or
    guidelines regarding projections and forecasts, nor have such
    projections or forecasts been audited, examined or otherwise reviewed
    by the independent auditors of the Company. You should not place undue
    reliance on these forward-looking statements.

    (1) Based on an exchange rate of A$1.00 to US$0.7645, as published
    by the Reserve Bank of Australia as of October 27, 2006.

    (2) Based on the last traded price of Rinker shares during normal
    trading on Australian Stock Exchange.

    -0-
    *T
    Appendix A
    Conditions to Offer

    For the purposes of the conditions set out below, unless the context
    requires otherwise:

    ADR means American depositary receipts which evidence the Rinker ADSs.

    Announcement Date means 27 October 2006 (Sydney time).

    Approval means:

    (a) a consent, authority, licence, approval, order, ruling, waiver or
    exemption which is required by law or by a Public Authority; or

    (b) in relation to anything which will be fully or partly prohibited
    or restricted by law if a Public Authority intervenes or acts in
    any way within a specified period after lodgement, filing,
    registration or notification, the expiry or termination of that
    period without intervention or action.

    ASIC means the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

    Bidder means CEMEX Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 122 401 405), a wholly-owned
    indirect subsidiary of CEMEX.

    Bidder's Statement means the statement of Bidder under Part 6.5 of the
    Corporations Act relating to the Offer.

    CEMEX means CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V.

    CEMEX Group means CEMEX and its Related Entities as at the date of the
    Bidder's Statement.

    Corporations Act means the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

    Defeating Condition means each condition set out in paragraphs (a) to
    (n) below.

    FATA means the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth).

    HSR Act means the United States Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
    Improvements Act of 1976.

    Offer means, as the context requires, the offer for Rinker Securities
    contained in the Bidder's Statement, or the off-market takeover bid
    constituted by that offer and each other offer by Bidder for Rinker
    Securities in the form of that offer, including in each case as varied
    in accordance with the Corporations Act.

    Offer Period means the period during which the Offer will remain open
    for acceptance in accordance with its terms.

    Public Authority means any government or any governmental,
    semi-governmental, statutory or judicial entity or authority, or any
    minister, department, office or delegate of any government, whether in
    Australia, the United States or elsewhere. It also includes any
    self-regulatory organisation established under statute and any stock
    exchange.

    Related Entity, in relation to an entity, means an entity which is a
    related body corporate of that entity under section 50 of the
    Corporations Act.

    Rinker means Rinker Group Limited (ACN 003 433 118).

    Rinker ADS means an American depositary share issued by JPMorgan Chase
    Bank, N.A., in its capacity as the depositary of Rinker's American ADR
    program, representing beneficial interests in five Rinker Shares.

    Rinker ADSholder means a person registered as the holder of Rinker
    ADSs in the ADR register maintained by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in
    its capacity as the depositary of Rinker's ADR program.

    Rinker Group means Rinker and its Related Entities as at the date of
    the Bidder's Statement.

    Rinker Securities means Rinker ADSs and Rinker Shares.

    Rinker Securityholder means a Rinker ADSholder or Rinker Shareholder.

    Rinker Shareholder means a person registered in the register of
    members of Rinker as a holder of Rinker Shares.

    Rinker Shares means fully paid ordinary shares in Rinker.

    SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Treasurer means the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia.

    US Exchange Act means the United States Securities and Exchange Act of
    1934.

    The Offer will be subject to the following conditions:

    (a) Minimum acceptance

    At or before the end of the Offer Period, Bidder has relevant
    interests in at least 90% of Rinker Shares.

    (b) CEMEX shareholder approval

    Before the end of the Offer Period, all resolutions necessary to
    approve, effect and implement the Offer and the acquisition of
    Rinker Securities by Bidder or any other CEMEX Group member are
    passed by the requisite majority of CEMEX shareholders at a
    general shareholders' meeting of CEMEX.

    (c) Foreign investment approval - Australia

    One of the following occurs before the end of the Offer Period:

    (i) the Treasurer or his agent advises Bidder to the effect
    that there are no objections to the acquisition of up to
    all the Rinker Securities by Bidder (by any means
    permitted by the Corporations Act) in terms of the
    Commonwealth Government's foreign investment policy;

    (ii) no order is made in relation to the Offer under section 22
    of FATA within a period of 40 days after Bidder has
    notified the Treasurer that it proposes to acquire Rinker
    Securities under the Offer, and no notice is given by the
    Treasurer to Bidder during that period to the effect that
    there are any objections to the acquisition of the Rinker
    Securities by Bidder (by any means permitted by the
    Corporations Act) in terms of the Commonwealth
    Government's foreign investment policy; or

    (iii) where an order is made under section 22 of FATA, a period
    of 90 days has expired after the order comes into
    operation and no notice has been given by the Treasurer to
    Bidder during that period to the effect that there are any
    objections to the acquisition of the Rinker Securities by
    Bidder (by any means permitted by the Corporations Act) in
    terms of the Commonwealth Government's foreign investment
    policy.

    (d) Antitrust approvals - United States

    Before the end of the Offer Period, all applicable waiting periods
    (including any extensions) under the HSR Act shall have expired or
    been otherwise terminated in respect of the Offer.

    (e) Other regulatory approvals

    Before the end of the Offer Period, Bidder receives all Approvals
    (other than those referred to in paragraphs (c) and (d):

    (i) that are necessary to permit the Offer to be lawfully made
    to, and accepted by, Rinker Securityholders; or

    (ii) that are required as a result of the Offer or the
    successful acquisition of Rinker Securities and are
    necessary for the continued operation of the business of
    the Rinker Group, or of the CEMEX Group, substantially on
    the same terms as the relevant business was conducted as
    at the date of the Bidder's Statement, in each case on an
    unconditional basis or on the basis of conditions that
    impose only non-material requirements incidental to the
    Approval, and, at the end of the Offer Period, all of
    those Approvals remain in full force and effect in all
    respects and are not subject to any notice or indication
    of intention to revoke, suspend, restrict, modify or not
    renew those Approvals.

    (f) No regulatory actions

    Between the Announcement Date and the end of the Offer Period:

    (i) there is not in effect any preliminary or final decision,
    order or decree issued by a Public Authority;

    (ii) no action or investigation is announced, commenced or
    threatened by any Public Authority; and

    (iii) no application is made to any Public Authority (other than
    by Bidder or any of its associates), in consequence of or
    in connection with the Offer (other than an application
    to, or a decision or order of, ASIC or Takeovers Panel for
    the purpose, or in exercise, of the powers and discretions
    conferred on it by the Corporations Act or SEC for the
    purpose, or in exercise, of the powers and discretions
    conferred on it by the US Exchange Act) which restrains or
    prohibits or impedes, or threatens to restrain, prohibit
    or impede, the making of the Offer or the acquisition of
    Rinker Securities under the Offer or the completion of any
    transaction contemplated by the Bidder's Statement, or
    seeks to require the divestiture by Bidder of any Rinker
    Securities, or the divestiture of any material assets of
    the Rinker Group or the CEMEX Group.

    (g) No material adverse change

    Between the Announcement Date and the end of the Offer Period, no
    event, change or condition occurs, is announced or becomes known to
    Bidder (whether or not it becomes public) where that event, change or
    condition has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a material
    adverse effect on:

    (i) the business, assets, liabilities, financial or trading
    position, profitability or prospects of the Rinker Group,
    taken as a whole, since 31 March 2006; or

    (ii) the status or terms of arrangements entered into by the
    Rinker Group, or on the status or terms of any approvals,
    licences or permits from Public Authorities applicable to
    the Rinker Group, except for events, changes and
    conditions publicly announced by Rinker or otherwise
    disclosed in public filings by Rinker or any of its
    subsidiaries prior to the Announcement Date where the
    relevant disclosure is not, and is not likely to be,
    incomplete, incorrect, untrue or misleading.

    (h) No material mergers, acquisitions, disposals or new commitments

    Between the Announcement Date and the end of the Offer Period, except
    for any proposed transaction publicly announced by Rinker before the
    Announcement Date, neither Rinker nor any subsidiary of Rinker:

    (i) consolidates with or mergers with or into any other person
    (other than, in the case of a subsidiary of Rinker, a
    wholly-owned subsidiary of Rinker) or announces an
    intention to do so;

    (ii) acquires, offers to acquire or agrees to acquire one or
    more entities, businesses or assets (or any interest in
    one or more entities, businesses or assets) for an amount
    in aggregate greater than US$200 million, or announces an
    intention to do so;

    (iii) disposes, offers to dispose or agrees to dispose of one or
    more entities, businesses or assets (or any interest in
    one or more entities, businesses or assets) for an amount,
    or in respect of which the book value (as recorded in
    Rinker's consolidated statement of financial position as
    at 31 March 2006) is, in aggregate, greater than US$200
    million, or announces an intention to do so;

    (iv) enters, offers to enter or agrees to enter into any
    transaction or becomes the subject of any obligation
    which would require the expenditure, the foregoing of
    revenue or may result in Rinker or any subsidiary of
    Rinker incurring any actual or contingent liability of an
    amount which is, in aggregate, more than US$200 million,
    or announces its intention to do so; or

    (v) enters, offers to enter or agrees to enter into, any
    agreement, joint venture or partnership which is for a
    term longer than two years, other than in the ordinary
    course of business, or announces its intention to do so,

    and during that period the business of the Rinker Group is otherwise
    carried on in the ordinary and usual course of business.

    (i) Change of control and other rights under certain agreements

    No person has, or before the end of the Offer Period is granted, any
    right (whether conditional or not) under any agreement or arrangement
    which is material in the context of the business of the Rinker Group
    (which includes any agreement or arrangement the termination of which
    is likely to adversely affect the revenue or costs of the Rinker Group
    by more than US$200 million per annum, or the assets or liabilities of
    the Rinker Group by more than US$200 million), as a result of the
    Bidder acquiring Rinker Securities, to:

    (i) acquire, or require the disposal of, or require Rinker or
    a subsidiary of Rinker to offer to dispose of, any
    material asset of the Rinker Group; or

    (ii) terminate, or vary the terms or performance of, any
    material agreement or arrangement with Rinker or a
    subsidiary of Rinker,

    other than rights for which a written enforceable, irrevocable and
    unconditional waiver or release has been obtained by Rinker and a copy
    provided Bidder before the end of the Offer Period.

    (j) Index out

    During the period from the Announcement Date to the end of the Offer
    Period, the S&P/ASX 200 Index does not fall below 4,800 at any time on
    an ASX trading day.

    (k) Equal access to information

    During the period from the Announcement Date to the end of the Offer
    Period, Rinker promptly (and in any event within two business days)
    provides Bidder a copy of all information that is not generally
    available (within the meaning of the Corporations Act) relating to
    Rinker or any subsidiary of Rinker or any of their respective
    businesses or operations that has been or is provided by Rinker or any
    subsidiary of Rinker or any of their respective officers, employees,
    advisers or agents (collectively, Rinker Disclosures) to any person
    (other than Bidder or any other member of the CEMEX Group) for the
    purpose of, or in connection with, soliciting, encouraging or
    facilitating a proposal or offer by that person, or by any other
    person, under which:

    (i) any person (together with its associates) may acquire
    voting power of 10% or more in Rinker or any subsidiary of
    Rinker;

    (ii) any person may acquire, directly or indirectly, any
    interest in all or a substantial part of the business or
    assets of the Rinker Group; or

    (iii) that person may otherwise acquire control of or merge or
    amalgamate with Rinker or any subsidiary of Rinker.

    (l) Dividends

    During the period from the Announcement Date to the end of the Offer
    Period, other than interim or final cash dividends, the payment of
    which does not result (or could not reasonably be expected to result)
    in Rinker declaring dividends in excess of 35% of its consolidated net
    profit for the financial year in respect of which the dividend is
    declared or paid, Rinker does not make or declare any distribution
    whether by way of dividend, capital reduction or otherwise and whether
    in cash or in specie.

    (m) No Prescribed Occurrences

    During the period from the date of the Bidder's Statement to the end
    of the Offer Period, none of the following occurrences (being those
    listed in section 652C of the Corporations Act) happens:

    (i) Rinker converts all or any of its shares into a larger or
    smaller number of shares;

    (ii) Rinker or a subsidiary of Rinker resolves to reduce its
    share capital in any way;

    (iii) Rinker or a subsidiary of Rinker enters into a buy-back
    agreement or resolves to approve the terms of a buy-back
    agreement under section 257C(1) or 257D(1) of the
    Corporations Act;

    (iv) Rinker or a subsidiary of Rinker issues shares, or grants
    an option over its shares, or agrees to make such an issue
    or grant such an option;

    (v) Rinker or a subsidiary of Rinker issues, or agrees to
    issue, convertible notes;

    (vi) Rinker or a subsidiary of Rinker disposes, or agrees to
    dispose, of the whole, or a substantial part, of its
    business or property;

    (vii) Rinker or a subsidiary of Rinker charges, or agrees to
    charge, the whole, or a substantial part, of its business
    or property;

    (viii) Rinker or a subsidiary of Rinker resolves to be wound up;

    (ix) a liquidator or provisional liquidator of Rinker or of a
    subsidiary of Rinker is appointed;

    (x) a court makes an order for the winding up of Rinker or of
    a subsidiary of Rinker;

    (xi) an administrator of Rinker, or of a subsidiary of Rinker,
    is appointed under section 436A, 436B or 436C of the
    Corporations Act;

    (xii) Rinker or a subsidiary of Rinker executes a deed of
    company arrangement; or

    (xiii) a receiver, or a receiver and manager, is appointed in
    relation to the whole, or a substantial part, of the
    property of Rinker or of a subsidiary of Rinker.

    (n) No Prescribed Occurrences between the Announcement Date and date
    of Bidder's Statement

    During the period from the Announcement Date to the date that is the
    day before the date of the Bidder's Statement, none of the occurrences
    listed in sub-paragraphs (i) to (xiii) of paragraph (m) happened.
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