The takeover bidding war for industrial testing firm Applus started last summer when buyout fund Apollo and its rival Amber, a vehicle of infrastructure fund I Squared Capital Advisors and TDR Capital, filed a tender offer for the Spanish company. Both funds have improved their offers and Amber has ended up offering 11 euros per share while Apollo's bid amounts to 10.65 euros a share.
Apollo had made a cash bid for Applus at 9.50 euros per share in June. Apollo's agreement with 15 investors in Applus is the latest episode of a bidding war pitching the U.S. fund against infrastructure fund I Squared Capital Advisors and TDR Capital, who offered 9.75 euros per share. Spain's government last month authorised Apollo to take over Applus, while the stock market regulator is still assessing I Squared and TDR's offer.
The decision followed a favourable report by the country's Foreign Investment Board, Manzana Spain Bidco - which is fully owned by Apollo - said in the regulatory filing. Apollo made a cash bid for Applus in June at 9.50 euros ($10.51) per share, valuing the company at 1.23 billion euros.