Lupfig, 20 August 2008 – The extraordinary general meeting of Hiestand Holding AG has approved the merger with Aryzta AG on the terms proposed by the Board of Directors by a convincing 91.3 % of the votes represented at the meeting.
Following the overwhelming approval of the merger by Irish merger partner IAWS Group plc on 24 July 2008, this clears the path for Hiestand Holding AG's merger with IAWS to form the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of frozen bakery and ready-made products.
To complete the final step in the creation of the new world market leader, the general meeting of Aryzta AG on 21 August
2008 now has to approve the relevant capital increase and issue the corresponding number of shares. The last effective trading day for Hiestand shares on the SWX Swiss Exchange is 20 August 2008. The first trading day for Aryzta shares on the SWX Swiss Exchange and on the Irish Stock Exchange in Dublin is scheduled for 22 August 2008.