Mergers

The term merger is not defined under the Companies Act, 1956 (the Companies Act), the Income Tax Act, 1961 (the ITA) or any other Indian law. Simply put, a merger is a combination of two or more distinct entities into one; the desired effect being not just the accumulation of assets and liabilities of the distinct entities, but to achieve several other benefits such as, economies of scale, acquisition of cutting edge technologies, obtaining access into sectors / markets with established players etc. Generally, in a merger, the merging entities would cease to be in existence and would merge into a single surviving entity.

Mergers may be of several types, depending on the requirements of the merging entities:
Horizontal Mergers. Also referred to as a horizontal integration, this kind of merger takes place between entities engaged in competing businesses which are at the same stage of the industrial process. A horizontal merger takes a company a step closer towards monopoly by eliminating a competitor and establishing a stronger presence in the market. The other benefits of this form of merger are the advantages of economies of scale and economies of scope. Vertical Mergers. Vertical mergers refer to the combination of two entities at different stages of the industrial or production process. For example, the merger of a company engaged in the construction business with a company engaged in production of brick or steel would lead to vertical integration. Companies stand to gain on account of lower transaction costs and synchronization of demand and supply. Moreover, vertical integration helps a company move towards greater independence and self-sufficiency. The downside of a vertical merger involves large investments in technology in order to compete effectively. Congeneric Mergers. These are mergers between entities engaged in the same general industry and somewhat interrelated, but having no common customer-supplier relationship. A company uses this type of merger in order to use the resulting ability to use the same sales and distribution channels to reach the customers of both businesses. Conglomerate Mergers. A conglomerate merger is a merger between two entities in unrelated industries. The principal reason for a conglomerate merger is utilization of financial resources, enlargement of debt capacity, and increase in the value of outstanding shares by increased leverage and earnings per share, and by lowering the average cost of capital. A merger with a diverse business also helps the company to foray into varied businesses without having to incur large start-up costs normally associated with a new business. Cash Merger. In a typical merger, the merged entity combines the assets of the two companies and grants the shareholders of each original company shares in the new company based on the relative valuations of the two original companies. However, in the case of a cash merger, also known as a cash-out merger, the shareholders of one entity receive cash in place of shares in the merged entity. This is a common practice in cases where the

shareholders of one of the merging entities do not want to be a part of the merged entity. Triangular Merger. A triangular merger is often resorted to for regulatory and tax reasons. As the name suggests, it is a tripartite arrangement in which the target merges with a subsidiary of the acquirer. Based on which entity is the survivor after such merger, a triangular merger may be forward (when the target merges into the subsidiary and the subsidiary survives), or reverse (when the subsidiary merges into the target and the target survives). Procedure for Merger Check MoA (change accordingly). Draft Scheme of Arrangement ( Amalgamation / Merger). Consider it in Board Meeting. Apply to Court direction to call General Meeting. Sent copy of application made to High Court to Central Gov. Send notices of General Meeting to with scheme Notice Period shall not be less than 21 days Notice can be way of Advertisement also At General Meeting approve scheme, increase authorized share capital and to issue further shares, as required Forward promptly notice and proceedings of meeting to SEs Report the result of the meeting to Court Move Court for approval of the scheme by filing petition in 7 days in Form 40 Advertise the date of hearing fixed by the court On receipt of Order from High Court, file it with RoC. Proceed on effecting the scheme amalgamation / merger as approved by High Court

ACQUISITIONS.
An acquisition or takeover is the purchase by one company of controlling interest in the share capital, or all or substantially all of the assets and/or liabilities, of another company. A takeover may be friendly or hostile, depending on the offeror companys approach, and may be effected through agreements between the offeror and the majority shareholders, purchase of shares from the open market, or by making an offer for acquisition of the offerees shares to the entire body of shareholders.

Friendly takeover. Also commonly referred to as negotiated takeover, a friendly takeover involves an acquisition of the target company through negotiations between the existing promoters and prospective investors. This kind of takeover is resorted to further some common objectives of both the parties. Hostile Takeover. A hostile takeover can happen by way of any of the following actions: if the board rejects the offer, but the bidder continues to pursue it or the bidder makes the offer without informing the board beforehand. Leveraged Buyouts. These are a form of takeovers where the acquisition is funded by borrowed money. Often the assets of the target company are used as collateral for the loan. This is a common structure when acquirers wish to make large acquisitions without having to commit too much capital, and hope to make the acquired business service the debt so raised. Bailout Takeovers. Another form of takeover is a bail out takeover in which a profit making company acquires a sick company. This kind of takeover is usually pursuant to a scheme of reconstruction/rehabilitation with the approval of lender banks/financial institutions. One of the primary motives for a profit making company to acquire a sick/loss making company would be to set off of the losses of the sick company against the profits of the acquirer, thereby reducing the tax payable by the acquirer. This would be true in the case of a merger between such companies as well. Acquisitions & Takeovers Major Laws Involved SEBI (substantial Acquisition of shares &Takeovers) Regulations 1997. The Securities and Exchange Board of India Act,1992 . Security Contract Regulation Act ,1956 . The Depositories Act,1956. SEBI Disclosure and Investor Protection Guidelines 2000. Securities and Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Insider Trading Regulation ),1992. Securities and Exchange Board of India (Merchant Bankers) Rules/Regulation 1992. SEBI (Delisting of Securities )Guidelines,2003. Foreign Exchange Management Act,1999. Companies Act,1956.