BASF tries to grab Engelhard

BASF has made an all-cash proposal to acquire all the outstanding shares of common stock of Engelhard Corporation, the Iselin, New Jersey-based supplier of catalysis and surface finishing products, for $37.00 per share or $4.9 billion.

The price represents a 23% premium above the December 20, 2005 closing price of Engelhard’s stock of $30.05 and a 30% premium over Engelhard’s 90-day average share price (VWAP) of $28.42 as of December 20, 2005.

The price also represents a premium to Engelhard’s 2005 year-end closing price of $30.15 and to the four-year-high closing price of $32.49 achieved on July 14, 2004.

“We believe that our all-cash proposal provides a compelling opportunity to achieve significant value for Engelhard’s stockholders,” said Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF.

“We hope that Engelhard’s Board and management will recognise this opportunity as well as the benefits for Engelhard’s employees. We look forward to continuing and strengthening business relations with Engelhard’s customers.”