Swiss court backs sale of Sika stake to Saint-Gobain
The Burkard family claim victory over sale described by some as bad corporate governance.
Photo: Sika
The family controlling Sika has claimed a legal victory over the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Cascade Investment, which challenged plans to sell the Swiss chemicals company to France’s Saint-Gobain.
According to the Financial Times, the Swiss federal administrative court confirmed that Saint-Gobain was entitled to buy the stake owned by the Burkard family without making an offer to public shareholders. The so-called “opting out” clause has been vigorously opposed by the Gates foundation trust and Cascade, which are Sika shareholders.
The Burkard family are relatives of Kaspar Winkler, who founded Sika in 1910.
The Gate
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