13:19:19 EDT Fri 17 May 2024
Enter Symbol
or Name
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CA



Aimia Inc
Symbol AIM
Shares Issued 84,164,614
Close 2023-10-10 C$ 3.43
Market Cap C$ 288,684,626
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Aimia holder Mithaq concerned about board's comments

2023-10-10 18:34 ET - News Release

An anonymous representative of Mithaq reports

AIMIA'S COMMENTS REGARDING MITHAQ'S PREMIUM ALL-CASH TAKEOVER BID FOR THE COMPANY ARE RECKLESS AND PREMATURE

Mithaq Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mithaq Capital SPC, the largest shareholder of Aimia Inc., has made the following statement about Aimia's premature assessment of Mithaq's premium all-cash takeover bid contained in Aimia's press release issued earlier today.

Providing impulsive commentary about the offer, when Aimia's board acknowledges that it has not yet completed its review of the offer, nor has it formally responded to the offer by publishing a directors circular, demonstrates reckless prejudgment and an inability of Aimia's board to act independently of management and in the interests of shareholders.

Aimia's misguided commentary, as well as constant references to the baseless litigation Aimia is pursuing against Mithaq, is nothing more than efforts to entrench the board and management, distract from Aimia's poor performance, and deprive Aimia shareholders of the value of the compelling all-cash, premium offer.

Contrary to Aimia's misleading commentary, there is nothing unprecedented about the number or scope of bid conditions, which are consistent with other unsolicited takeover bids. The conditions are necessary to protect all shareholders' investment in the company, including Mithaq's, as they discourage Aimia's board and management from taking more self-interested defensive actions that could further depreciate company value and deprive shareholders of Mithaq's premium offer.

Given the board's reckless and premature comments regarding the premium all-cash offer and previous entrenchment tactics, long-suffering shareholders are advised to question the basis and validity of any communication that comes from the entrenched board and management teams.

Aimia shareholders should not tolerate defensive, self-interested behaviour

Mithaq is concerned that in the face of its unsolicited offer, Aimia's board and management are becoming even more entrenched and engaging in inappropriate defensive behaviour that is in their own self-interest rather than the best interests of Aimia. Mithaq has lost all faith in the ability of Aimia's board and management to act in the best interests of Aimia and its shareholders and, accordingly, views shareholder investments as at risk under their continued leadership.

Mithaq will not tolerate actions that further damage the value and reputation of Aimia and that only serve to deprive shareholders of the premium offer. If the Aimia board were to agree to enter into a transaction agreement with Mithaq containing typical interim operating covenants governing Aimia's actions, Mithaq would be able to eliminate many of its bid conditions.

What Aimia is not telling shareholders is that in any exercise of its sole judgment or discretion when assessing the conditions to the offer, Mithaq intends to act reasonably, which is consistent with the Canadian Securities Administrators' stated position on bid conditions. Mithaq also has the ability to waive any conditions, other than the statutory requirement that at least 50 per cent of the outstanding common shares (other than those owned by Mithaq or its affiliates) accept the offer.

Baseless litigation

Aimia continues to distract shareholders from the offer and waste resources through its continuing litigation with Mithaq and baseless allegations, which have nothing to do with the offer. The action commenced against Mithaq is an extreme and unprecedented effort to seek to use litigation to shield the Aimia board (which, as of last year's management information circular, owns a mere 2.73-per-cent equity stake in Aimia) from accountability to shareholders.

Put simply, Aimia's litigation against Mithaq is an inappropriate entrenchment tactic by the board to retain its positions and deny shareholders the right to exercise their corporate oversight powers. Shareholders should be deeply concerned by Aimia's continued pursuit of such an action, which continues to deplete shareholder resources in the name of self-interested defensive behaviour.

On Oct. 26, 2023, Mithaq will attend before the Superior Court of Justice to set a date for the court to hear Mithaq's continuing concerns regarding the announced results of Aimia's annual general meeting on April 18, 2023, and Mithaq's continuing investigation of the voting records of the meeting.

Details of the offer

Full details of the offer are included in the letter to shareholders and takeover bid circular and accompanying offer documents filed with securities regulatory authorities and accessible under Aimia's profile on SEDAR+.

The letter to shareholders and takeover bid circular are also available at the Cash Premium for Aimia website. The takeover bid circular and accompanying offer documents will be mailed to shareholders following receipt of the applicable securityholder lists from Aimia, in compliance with applicable securities laws.

Shareholders with questions or in need of assistance accepting the offer can contact Carson Proxy Advisors by telephone at 1-800-530-5189 (North American toll-free number) or 416-751-2066 (outside of North America) or by e-mail at info@carsonproxy.com.

Further information is also available at the Cash Premium for Aimia website, which will be updated as the tender process proceeds.

About Mithaq Canada Inc.

Mithaq is the largest shareholder of Aimia, holding 26,059,000 common shares of Aimia, representing approximately 30.96 per cent of the issued and outstanding common shares of Aimia. Mithaq is a segregated portfolio company and affiliate of Mithaq Holding Company, a family office based in Saudi Arabia with investments in public equities, real estate, private equity and income-producing assets in local and international markets.

Advisers

Torys LLP is acting as legal adviser, Carson Proxy Advisors is acting as information agent, and Longview Communications and Public Affairs is acting as communications adviser to the offeror and Mithaq in respect of the offer.

We seek Safe Harbor.

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