VDL Groep B.V. (VDL) will today announce that the industrial family business has decided not to make its previously announced public offer for all issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Neways Electronics International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: NEWAY) (Neways). Failure to match the alternative offer means that the irrevocable undertakings previously obtained from three major shareholders of Neways to offer their shares to VDL will lapse.

VDL Groep and the University of Twente (UT) will intensify their partnership to further high-tech development and production. The two parties have signed a contract to invest in joint research, supported by Holland High Tech (the executive office of the Top Sector High Tech Systems & Materials (HTSM)). The contract involves millions of dollars.

VDL Groep B.V. (VDL) has taken note of the joint press release of Infestos Sustainability B.V. (Infestos) and Neways Electronics International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: NEWAY) (Neways) of 24 June 2021. It announced that Infestos will make an offer, supported by Neways, for all outstanding and issued shares in Neways for an offer price of € 14.55 per Neways share (cum dividend) (the Infestos Offer).

Reference is made to VDL’s press release of 28 May 2021 regarding the announcement of the intention of a public bid by VDL or one of its group companies or affiliates for all issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Neways for an offer price of € 13.00 per Neways share (cum dividend) (the VDL Offer).

VDL Nedcar has taken an important first step towards securing its long-term future. Based in Born (Netherlands) as part of VDL Groep, the vehicle manufacturer will produce cars for Canoo. This startup from the United States intends to have cars produced at VDL Nedcar until at least 2028. Both parties signed a contract yesterday.

VDL Groep B.V. (VDL) announces today that the industrial family business with its head office in Eindhoven, the Netherlands (or one of its group companies or affiliates) will be making a public offer for all issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Neways Electronics International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: NEWAY) (Neways).

· Public offer of €13.00 per share Neways, payable in cash (cum dividend).

· The offer includes a considerable premium of 19.3% in comparison with the closing price of the Neways share on 29 April 2021 (the last trading day before the first announcement of the consultations between VDL and Neways on a public offer) and a most significant premium of 38.9% over the 3-month VWAP per this date.

· VDL is determined to go forward with developing its competencies in mechanics, electronics, and software further; a combination with Neways is the best option for all parties involved.

· A combination with VDL brings about strategic possibilities and growth opportunities for Neways, its employees, and other parties involved.

· The majority of shareholders outside VDL have declared they are prepared to offer their shares for the offer price (together with VDL approximately 70% of the shares).

· With the public offer, VDL gives the remaining 30% of Neways shareholders the possibility of accepting the public offer.

· VDL still has the intention of having a constructive dialogue with the management board and the supervisory board of Neways about the intended transaction.

VDL Groep B.V. (VDL) will today be announcing that the talks with Neways Electronics International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: NEWAY) (Neways) about a possible public offer (by VDL or one of its group companies or affiliates) for all issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Neways have ended.

Dutch PPE Solutions, the joint venture of Royal DSM and VDL Groep, starts today with the production of virus filtering material for FFP2 and IIR facemasks in a newly built factory by DSM in Geleen, the Netherlands. Dutch PPE Solutions is the first to deliver professional facemasks with filter material that is entirely made on Dutch soil. With the production of the critical filter layer, meltblown polypropylene, in the Netherlands the joint venture makes Europe less dependent on supplies from overseas and ensures that professionals in healthcare and other sectors can always do their work safely.

VDL Groep B.V. (VDL) will today be announcing that it is in talks with Neways Electronics International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: NEWAY) (Neways) about a proposal to make a public offer (by VDL or one of its group companies or affiliates) for all issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Neways.

With its order of the first series of the new generation of VDL Citea buses, public transport carrier Hermes is heavily investing in the quality of public transport and the further greening of the Eindhoven region. In total 32 city buses, fully based on VDL’s electric driveline with trendsetting characteristics, will form part of Eindhoven’s cityscape starting in January 2022.

For the third time in a row public transport company KVB Cologne has ordered electric VDL Citeas from VDL Bus & Coach. It concerns 51 articulated buses. When these city buses are all delivered in 2022, the electric bus fleet of KVB Cologne will consist of 113 VDL Citeas Electric.

VDL Groep continues to strengthen its ‘smart’ mobility position. Between the end of this year and mid-2023, VDL Automated Vehicles will be supplying as many as 77 automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT), one of the leading and most advanced container terminal operators in Europe. The contract is valued at tens of millions of euros.

The revenue and result of VDL Groep fell sharply during the corona year 2020. The fact that the industrial family business with its head office in Eindhoven nevertheless managed to keep permanent employees on board, partly thanks to support measures from governments, and was able to close 2020 profitably, is great news. Partly due to well-filled order portfolios, sentiment for 2021 is more positive, despite major challenges.

VDL Groep and Van Wijnen intend to work together for many years. After going through the internal procedures, VDL will start industrially producing demountable modules for construction in Friesland from 2022. Examples include complete bathrooms, toilets and plant rooms. These modules will then be installed at Van Wijnen construction sites, ready to use.

John van Soerland (59) has been nominated for appointment as managing director of VDL Nedcar in Born. After going through the internal procedures, he will succeed Paul van Vuuren (62). From that moment on, Van Vuuren will join the Board of Management of VDL Groep.