Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 22 January 2019 7:30 AM CET

Intends to distribute majority of proceeds to shareholders

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 22 January 2019 - Location technology specialistTomTom (TOM2) today announced the sale of its Telematics business to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA (“Bridgestone”), a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation in EMEA, for a purchase price of €910 million, and proposes to return the majority of the proceeds to its shareholders.

This transaction allows the Telematics business to accelerate its growth trajectory and TomTom to become a more focused and agile company, shaping the future of driving with highly accurate maps, navigation software and real-time traffic information and services.

“After a thorough review of strategic options, we have determined that the sale of Telematics to Bridgestone is in the best interest of both Telematics and our core location technology business,” commented Harold Goddijn, CEO, TomTom. “We will continue to invest in our innovative map-making system, enabling faster map updates while lowering operational costs, paving the road towards autonomous driving.”

“We have found our perfect match in TomTom Telematics,” said Paolo Ferrari, CEO and President of Bridgestone EMEA and Executive Vice President of Bridgestone Group. “Our companies’ complementary assets and capabilities will create a fleet solutions powerhouse, and further strengthen Bridgestone’s digital technology arm. We are now well-positioned in EMEA to enhance our core tyre business, accelerate our data-driven business, expand our fleet customer base and seize fast-growing, profitable opportunities in the automotive mobility industry. We recognize and respect the talent and skills of the TomTom Telematics’ management team and its 670 employees. It’s our intention to foster and grow the business and support its current plans.”

“TomTom Telematics is the number one Telematics Service Provider in Europe, and we continue to grow our installed base of vehicles we service globally,” added Thomas Schmidt, Managing Director, TomTom Telematics. “We look forward to accelerating our ambitious growth plan and seize new opportunities as part of Bridgestone. In the meantime, we expect the transition to be seamless with no disruption for our customers, suppliers and employees.”

The Telematics purchase price is €910 million, of which €750 million will be distributed to shareholders by means of a capital repayment, combined with a share consolidation. This capital repayment will not be subject to Dutch dividend withholding tax.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including the relevant regulatory approvals, consultation with employee representative bodies and the approval of TomTom’s shareholders. In addition to this TomTom will request approval for the capital repayment to its shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. The convocation details will be published shortly.

The sale of the Telematics business is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2019, followed by the capital repayment combined with a share consolidation to be executed in the third quarter of 2019.

Barclays acted as exclusive financial advisor and Allen & Overy LLP as legal advisor to TomTom. Lazard acted as independent advisor to the Supervisory Board.

TomTom will release its Q4 2018 and full year 2018 financial results on 6 February 2019.

***​ 

​This document contains inside information as meant in clause 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation. This public announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities. 

ENDS

About TomTom

TomTom is the leading independent location technology specialist, shaping mobility with highly accurate maps, navigation software, real-time traffic information and services.
To achieve our vision of a safer world, free of congestion and emissions, we create innovative technologies that keep the world moving. By combining our extensive experience with leading business and technology partners, we power connected vehicles, smart mobility and, ultimately, autonomous driving.
Headquartered in Amsterdam with offices in 30 countries, TomTom’s technologies are trusted by hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
www.tomtom.com

About Bridgestone Corporation

Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world. 

About Bridgestone in Europe, Middle East and Africa

We're the EMEA business of the world’s largest tyre and rubber company. For almost 90 years, we've been providing the confidence to get people and goods where they need to go as conveniently as possible, without interruption. That’s as true today as ever and means we’re trusted where it matters most: where the vehicle meets the road. We’re brilliant chemists, engineers and data scientists with some of Europe’s most advanced factories and world-beating technology. We’re uncompromisingly focused on providing real solutions to the real problems that drivers face on the road every day. We keep them going, no matter what.

We’re present in 38 countries in EMEA, employing more than 18,300 people. We have 15 tyre plants in the region, a major R&D centre, and a proving ground. We’re proud to be the largest R&D spender in our industry, investing over €790 million over the past year.

For more information about Bridgestone in EMEA, please visit www.bridgestone.eu and www.bridgestonenewsroom.eu. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Linkedin.

For further Information:

Bridgestone Europe
Corporate Communications
Liesbeth Denys
+32 478 78 26 22