pta20240422006
Ad hoc announcement according to article 53 KR

HOCHDORF Holding AG: publishes agenda for the Annual General Meeting and provides information on financial legacy and prospects

Hochdorf (pta006/22.04.2024/07:17 UTC+2)

HOCHDORF Holding Ltd has published the agenda for its Annual General Meeting, which will take place on 15 May 2024. The Board of Directors has also announced that sales talks are now focussing on a sale of the subsidiary HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition Ltd. The financing of the HOCHDORF Group's operational business remains secured.

The agenda for the 2024 Annual General Meeting of HOCHDORF Holding Ltd can be viewed online from today and will also be sent out by post over the coming days. Together with the invitation to the AGM, shareholders will receive an information letter from the Board of Directors, which is also published on www.hochdorf.com/gv.

This information will look at the complex financing structures from the past that have led to the current debt level and the challenges associated with resolving these issues. As is generally known, HOCHDORF Holding Ltd is confronted with a financial legacy burdens, which is difficult to be paid off from HOCHDORF Holding Ltd's own resources, despite a competitive business model. As announced on 5 March 2024, the company has extended its approach to potential investors. Discussions to date have clearly shown that there is currently no realistic prospect of finding investors or buyers for the entire HOCHDORF Group or for the holding company, HOCHDORF Holding Ltd, which has high levels of debt. Consequently, the company is now focussing on the potential sale of the subsidiary HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition Ltd (HSN), which runs the operational business, as the most viable solution.

From todays point of view no accurate prediction about the future of the HOCHDORF Holding Ltd can be stated. The company is examining various scenarios ranging from its continued existence to its dissolution. In the event of a dissolution of HOCHDORF Holding Ltd, shareholders would have to expect a significant or total loss of their investment. Despite all the efforts and extensive examination of all options, the Board of Directors is convinced that under the current circumstances the sale of the subsidiary HSN is the best solution. This would ensure that HSN's value-generating operating business can continue for the benefit of employees, customers, partners and suppliers – including milk producers in particular.

The Board of Directors will also present its assessment of the company's financing structures and future prospects at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Marjan Skotnicki-Hoogland is not standing for re-election to the Board of Directors; the Board shall be reduced accordingly from six to five members.

The Annual General Meeting on 15 May 2024 will begin at 10 am instead of 9 am as previously announced.

Agenda items

1. Approval of the business report, annual financial statements, and consolidated financial statements for the 2023 business year

2. Decision regarding appropriation of the net loss

3. Granting of discharge to the members of the Board of Directors and the Group Management

4. Remuneration
4.1. Binding vote on the remuneration of the Board of Directors from the Annual General Meeting 2024 to the Annual General Meeting 2025.
4.2 Binding vote on the maximum total remuneration of the Group Management for the 2024 business year.
4.3 Consultative vote on the 2023 Remuneration Report

5. Election of the Board of Directors
5.1. Re-election of Jürg Oleas as a member and Chairman of the Board
5.2. Re-election of Andreas Herzog
5.3. Re-election of Thierry Philardeau
5.4. Re-election of Jean-Philippe Rochat
5.5. Re-election of Ralph Siegl

6. Election to the Personnel and Remuneration Committee
6.1. Re-election of Jean-Philippe Rochat
6.2. Re-election of Jürg Oleas

7. Election of the independent proxy

8. Election of auditors

9. Information on the assessment of the current financing structures and future prospects of the company (Information provided by the Board of Directors; no proposal)

10. Any other business

The invitation and the agenda items are available at www.hochdorf.com/gv. Time and place: Kulturzentraum Braui, 6280 Hochdorf; Start 10 am (doors open: 9.30 am), followed by buffet lunch.

Material to download and further information

Dates

  • 29 August 2024: Half-Year Results

Contact and photo material

HOCHDORF Holding Ltd: Marlène Betschart, Head Corporate Communications & Investor Relations; +41 41 914 65 83 / +41 79 245 24 10; marlene.betschart@hochdorf.com

About Hochdorf

Founded in 1895, HOCHDORF is the Swiss centre of excellence for milk processing, specialising in infant formula, powder drying and mixing technology for milk-based and alternative proteins. The technology company based in Hochdorf (LU) and Sulgen (TG) in Switzerland develops functional foods and ingredients for industrial customers and consumers around the world. As "food for life", these products help shape the changing eating habits of society today and tomorrow. The HOCHDORF Group achieved a consolidated net sales revenue of CHF 307.8 million in 2023 and employs 369 employees. HOCHDORF shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

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Emitter: HOCHDORF Holding AG
Siedereistrasse 9
6281 Hochdorf
Switzerland
Contact Person: Marlène Betschart
Phone: +419146583 / +41792452410
E-Mail: marlene.betschart@hochdorf.com
Website: www.hochdorf.com
ISIN(s): CH0024666528 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s): SIX Swiss Exchange
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