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Filed by: AGCO Corporation
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
Subject Company: Ag-Chem Equipment Co., Inc.
Commission File No: 000-25360
AGCO Corporation has issued the following press release:
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AGCO AG-CHEM
CONTACT: Don Millard, Sr. V. P. and C.F.O. CONTACT: Investor Relations
(770) 813-6144 (952) 933-9006
MEETING DATE SET FOR
AG-CHEM VOTE ON ACQUISITION BY AGCO
Duluth, GA, and Minnetonka, MN, March 30, 2001 - AGCO Corporation, Inc.
(NYSE: AG) and Ag-Chem Equipment Co., Inc. (Nasdaq: AGCH), announced today that
the SEC review process in connection with the Proxy Statement/Prospectus for the
proposed acquisition by AGCO of Ag-Chem was complete and that copies of the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus were being mailed to Ag-Chem shareholders. Ag-Chem
has called a special meeting of shareholders for April 16, 2001 to consider and
vote upon the acquisition. If the transaction is approved, Ag-Chem shareholders
will receive from AGCO a combination of cash and stock as described in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. A copy of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus can be obtained
by mail at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 or by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy
statements and other information regarding AGCO and Ag-Chem. The address of the
SEC website is http://www.sec.gov.
AGCO and Ag-Chem stated that, although they intend to complete the
acquisition as soon after the special meeting as practicable, there can be no
assurance as to whether or when the acquisition would be completed.
AGCO manufactures and distributes agricultural equipment, including
tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage equipment and implements, and
related replacement parts throughout the world. AGCO's products are widely
recognized in the agricultural equipment industry and are marketed under
numerous brand names. The primary focus of Ag-Chem is agricultural machinery
designed for the application of fertilizer and chemicals to farm fields. Ag-Chem
is also the leading provider of unique site-specific technology for agricultural
management through a division known as SOILTEQ. This acquisition will give AGCO
a strong position in self-propelled equipment for application of fertilizers and
farm chemicals. Additionally, it will
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provide market access to Ag-Chem's advanced crop management system, which can be
integrated with all users and brands.
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AGCO Corporation has filed a registration statement, which contains a
proxy statement of Ag-Chem Equipment Co., Inc., and other documents, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors and stockholders are urged
to read the proxy statement/prospectus and any other relevant documents filed
with the SEC. Investors and stockholders are able to receive the proxy
statement/prospectus and other documents filed by AGCO and Ag-Chem free of
charge at the SEC's web site, www.sec.gov, or from AGCO Investor Relations at
4205 River Green Parkway, Duluth, Georgia 30096-2568, Attention: Andy Beck. AGCO
and Ag-Chem and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed
to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of
Ag-Chem in connection with the merger. Information concerning the identity of
the participants in the solicitation of proxies by the AGCO and Ag-Chem boards
of directors and executive officers and their direct or indirect interest, by
security holdings or otherwise, may be obtained from the filings by AGCO and
Ag-Chem with the SEC, including the Form 8-K filed on approximately November 21,
2000 by Ag-Chem in connection with the announcement of the merger agreement.
Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of such
participants by reading the proxy statement/prospectus that is part of the
registration statement.