Viterra completes transformational acquisition of ABB Grain

On September 23, 2009, Viterra Inc. announced the completion of its acquisition of ABB Grain Ltd (ABB), a publicly traded Australian-based agribusiness, by Scheme of Arrangement (the Scheme). ABB and Viterra signed an implementation agreement on May 19, 2009, under which Viterra proposed to acquire all of the shares in ABB for a mixture of cash and Viterra shares (or Viterra CDIs) via the Scheme. Approvals were granted by ABB shareholders and the Federal Court of Australia earlier in September. Viterra's CDIs are now listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Torys also assisted Viterra with its offering of C$450 million subscription receipts issued on May 13, 2009. This offering provided Viterra with funding that it could use to complete the ABB transaction. In addition, Torys assisted Viterra with its offering of C$300 million of 8.5% senior unsecured notes, due 2004 issued on July 7, 2009. The proceeds of this offering were used by Viterra for general corporate purposes.

The deal won the Canadian Dealmakers' Global Expansion Award.

Viterra, formerly Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Inc., is a global food ingredients agribusiness headquartered in Canada. Viterra has operations and distribution capabilities across western Canada, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. Viterra also has offices and operations in the United States, Japan, Singapore, China and Switzerland, and a joint venture in Ukraine.

ABB Grain, headquartered in Australia, is engaged in the marketing of agricultural commodities, the handling and storage of grain and other bulk commodities, the provision of rural services and products to growers, and malt manufacture and marketing.

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