Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. has announced that an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement with certain affiliates of The Carlyle Group for the purchase of a total of 20 million of Axalta’s common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $560 million, or $28.00 per share. Axalta will not receive proceeds from the sale of the shares. In connection with the purchase, Berkshire Hathaway agreed that it would not dispose of the shares for 90 days following the consummation of the sale. Axalta has agreed to provide Berkshire Hathaway with certain registration rights following the expiration of that 90-day period.
The shares are being offered and sold in a private placement pursuant to Section 4 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The shares have not been registered under the Securities Act, or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful.
"We are pleased to have Berkshire Hathaway Inc. take this share ownership position in Axalta," said Charlie Shaver, Chairman and CEO. "Berkshire is the type of quality investor that Axalta has been fortunate to attract since our IPO last year. We believe this investment shows Berkshire’s support of our strategy to reshape ourselves into a growth and customer oriented, world class coatings company."
