Hitachi Rail Italy Investments S.r.l. has acquired a majority stake in Ansaldo STS S.p.A. and plans to launch a mandatory tender offer to fully acquire the company and delist it from the Italian stock market.

Information on the Target

Hitachi Rail Italy Investments S.r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., has successfully acquired 80,131,081 shares of Ansaldo STS S.p.A. from Finmeccanica S.p.A. This transaction was executed in accordance with a previously established share purchase agreement initiated on February 24, 2015. With this acquisition, Hitachi Rail Italy Investments S.r.l. is positioned to extend a mandatory tender offer for the remaining shares of Ansaldo STS S.p.A., aiming to gain complete ownership and subsequently delist the company from the Italian market.

Industry Overview in Italy

The rail transport sector in Italy has been undergoing significant transformations, particularly in the realm of technology and infrastructure development. As a part of the European Union's strategy, investments are increasingly directed towards enhancing rail networks, improving passenger services, and incorporating advanced signaling systems. This has led to a robust market for companies specializing in rail solutions, including manufacturers of rolling stock and signaling technologies.

Furthermore, the Italian Government's commitment to sustainable transport solutions and the reduction of carbon emissions has created a favorable environment for companies involved in rail operations. This focus has intensified the competition