-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, M5zqoa2i0/Ynf1RGoZR0Ka8W1s7T98mE79Risv91AExkB/MOzrRMC3oaNssv7oLQ q1knj1taTtJ66PP7LHsVUw== 0001104659-07-036041.txt : 20070504 0001104659-07-036041.hdr.sgml : 20070504 20070504162205 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-07-036041 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 FILED AS OF DATE: 20070504 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070504 GROUP MEMBERS: CHRISTEN SVEAAS GROUP MEMBERS: KISTEFOS AS SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: TRICO MARINE SERVICES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000921549 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WATER TRANSPORTATION [4400] IRS NUMBER: 721252405 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-49411 FILM NUMBER: 07820724 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 250 N AMERICAN COURT CITY: HOUMA STATE: LA ZIP: 70363 BUSINESS PHONE: 713 780 9926 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3200 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY STREET 2: SUITE 2950 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77027 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: TRICO MARINE SERVICES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000921549 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WATER TRANSPORTATION [4400] IRS NUMBER: 721252405 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 250 N AMERICAN COURT CITY: HOUMA STATE: LA ZIP: 70363 BUSINESS PHONE: 713 780 9926 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3200 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY STREET 2: SUITE 2950 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77027 SC 13D/A 1 a07-13334_1sc13da.htm SC 13D/A

 

 

UNITED STATES

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION

 

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO
RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(a)

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 11)*

Trico Marine Services, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

 

Common Stock, $.01 par value

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

896106200

(CUSIP Number)

 

Frode Jensen, Esq.

Holland & Knight LLP

195 Broadway, 24th Floor

New York, NY 100007

212-513-3200

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

May 4, 2007

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. o

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See §240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 




 

CUSIP No.   896106200

 

 

1.

Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only)
Kistefos AS

 

 

2.

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

 

 

(a)

 o

 

 

(b)

 ý

 

 

3.

SEC Use Only

 

 

4.

Source of Funds (See Instructions)
WC

 

 

5.

Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)     o

 

 

6.

Citizenship or Place of Organization
Norway

 

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With

7.

Sole Voting Power
-0-

 

8.

Shared Voting Power
3,000,000

 

9.

Sole Dispositive Power
-0-

 

10.

Shared Dispositive Power
3,000,000

 

 

11.

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
3,000,000

 

 

12.

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)   o
NOT APPLICABLE

 

 

13.

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) o
20.2%

 

 

14.

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO, IV

 

2




 

 

 

1.

Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only)
Christen Sveaas

 

 

2.

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

 

 

(a)

 o

 

 

(b)

 ý

 

 

3.

SEC Use Only

 

 

4.

Source of Funds (See Instructions)
WC

 

 

5.

Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)     o

 

 

6.

Citizenship or Place of Organization
Norway

 

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With

7.

Sole Voting Power
-0-

 

8.

Shared Voting Power
3,000,000

 

9.

Sole Dispositive Power
-0-

 

10.

Shared Dispositive Power
3,000,000

 

 

11.

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
3,000,000

 

 

12.

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)   o
NOT APPLICABLE

 

 

13.

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) o
20.2%

 

 

14.

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IN

 

3




 

Item 1.

Security and Issuer

The title of the class of equity securities to which this statement relates is the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued by Trico Marine Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).  The address of the principal executive office of the Company is 2401 Fountainview, Suite 290, Houston, Texas  77057.

Item 2.

Identity and Background

(a)          Name of Persons Filing (the “Reporting Persons”):

Kistefos AS
Christen Sveaas

(b)         Business address of Reporting Persons:

Stranden 1
N-0250 Oslo
Norway

(c)          Christen Sveaas’ principal occupation is as the chairman and sole owner of Kistefos AS.  Kistefos AS’ address is Stranden 1, N-0250 Oslo, Norway.

Kistefos AS is a privately owned investment company with a portfolio of listed and unlisted companies in the offshore services, shipping, property development and IT/telecommunications sectors.

(d)         During the last five years, neither Christen Sveaas, Kistefos AS nor their affiliates has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

(e)          During the last five years, neither Christen Sveaas, Kistefos AS nor their affiliates were a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

(f)            Citizenship.

Christen Sveaas is a citizen of Norway.
Kistefos AS is a Norwegian aksjeselskap (stock company).

 

4




 

Item 3.

Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

Prior to March 15, 2005, Kistefos AS was the owner of $53,040,000 of the Company’s then outstanding $250 million 8-7/8% senior notes due 2012 (the “Notes”). Pursuant to a “pre-packaged” plan of reorganization of the Company under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code, each holder of the Notes received on the “Effective Date”, in exchange for its total claim (including principal and interest), its pro rata portion of new common stock of the reorganized Company. The Effective Date occurred on March 15, 2005 and, as such, Kistefos AS became the owner of 2,121,600 shares of the Company’s common stock on that date. The purchases of the Notes previously owned by Kistefos AS were funded with working capital.

On October 6, 2005, the Reporting Persons acquired 172,400 shares of common stock of the Company.  The price per share was $26.6517 for a total purchase price of $4,594,753.08.  The purchase was funded with working capital.

On October 19, 2005, the Reporting Persons acquired 200,000 shares of common stock of the Company in a public offering at the price of $24.00 per share.  The purchase was funded with working capital.

During the period from October 20 through 24, 2005, the Reporting Persons acquired 356,894 shares of common stock of the Company through open market purchases.  The prices ranged from $24.052 to $24.856 per share for a total amount of $8,695,680.79.  The purchases were funded with working capital.

On February 1, 2007, the Reporting Persons acquired 141,380 shares of common stock of the Company through open market purchases. The price per share was $31.081 for a total purchase price of $4,394,231.70.  On February 2, 2007, the Reporting Persons purchased an additional 7,726 shares of common stock of the Company through open market purchases.  The price per share was $30.9952 for a total purchase price of $239,468.91.  The purchases were funded with working capital.

Kistefos AS is the holder of the Company’s common stock. The sole owner of Kistefos AS is Christen Sveaas.

Item 4.

Purpose of Transaction

The Reporting Persons acquired and continue to hold the shares of common stock reported herein for investment purposes. Depending on market conditions and other factors that the Reporting Persons may deem material to their investment decision, the Reporting Persons may purchase additional securities of the Company in the open market or in private transactions. Depending on these same factors, the Reporting Persons may sell all or a portion of the securities of the Company that they now own or hereafter may acquire on the open market or in private transactions. The Reporting Persons intend to review their investment in the Company from time to time on the basis of various factors, including the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, general economic and industry conditions, the securities markets in general and those for the Company’s common stock in particular, as well as other developments.

On March 22, 2005, the Reporting Persons requested that the Company meet with the Reporting Persons. Subsequently, the Reporting Persons did meet with the Chairman of the Board of the Company.

On June 10, 2005, the Reporting Persons requested that the Company consider including two candidates of the Reporting Persons on the Company’s board of directors. Thereafter, and in connection with this request, the Reporting Persons have met with and had telephone discussions with certain other stockholders of the Company.  However, at this time, the Reporting Persons do not have any agreements with other stockholders regarding their request.

On October 19, 2005, the Reporting Persons acquired 200,000 shares of common stock of the Company in a public offering at the price of $24.00 per share, or an aggregate amount of $4,800,000.  Based upon 14,204,442 shares of common stock outstanding, the Reporting Persons owned 17.56% of the shares of common stock of the Company, or 2,494,000 shares.  Such purchase was funded by working capital.

The Reporting Persons acquired 356,894 shares of common stock of the Company through open market purchases on October 20, 21 and 24, 2005 as set forth under Item 5 below.  Based upon 14,638,103 shares of common stock outstanding, the Reporting Persons owned 19.48% of the shares of common stock of the Company, or 2,850,894 shares.  Such purchases were funded by working capital.

On April 7, 2006 the Reporting Persons determined that they do not currently seek representation on the Company’s board of directors.

On June 13, 2006 Lars Erling Krogh, a representative of the Reporting Persons (the "Representative"), attended the annual meeting of the Company held in Houston, Texas (the "Annual Meeting").  The Representative made a statement to the Annual Meeting that the Company's board of directors and management should actively review certain of its strategies in order to enhance shareholder value.  The Representative stated that the Company should seek to strengthen its strategic market position by expanding its revenue base and by increasing its active fleet more rapidly through the acquisition of second hand tonnage or by building additional new vessels.  The Representative also recommended that the Company should seek to optimize its financing structure.  The Representative stated that the Company is net debt positive, and the Company will be generating significant free operating cash flow in 2006 and 2007. The Representative proposed that because there is significant surplus financial capacity in the Company, the board of directors should consider paying extraordinary dividends, buying back shares, and/or increasing market share through additional investments.

On February 1, 2007, the Reporting Persons acquired 141,380 shares of common stock of the Company through open market purchases. The price per share was $31.081 for a total purchase price of $4,394,231.70.  On February 2, 2007, the Reporting Persons purchased an additional 7,726 shares of common stock of the Company through open market purchases.  The price per share was $30.9952 for a total purchase price of $239,468.91.  The purchases were funded with working capital.

 

 

5




 

On March 1, 2007, Mr. Åge Korsvold, the Chief Executive Officer of Kistefos AS, made the following statements during the Company’s fourth quarter 2006 earnings conference call:

“While we, as shareholders in Trico, appreciate the beneficial effects of strong markets for your share price, we nonetheless think there are reasons for concern about the future direction of Trico.

We have repeatedly claimed that, with minimal debt and a significant cash position, Trico has been overcapitalized. No one has refuted that.

We were accordingly very surprised when Trico issued its recent convert. First, the financing adds cash to an already overcapitalized Company. Management, in our view, is not looking after shareholder interests simply by getting low-coupon capital just because it is available. That capital has costs above and beyond the low coupon. Depending on how Trico’s share price moves, the convertible will be dilutive to current shareholders. Additionally, the conversion price is significantly below what we believe is the Net Asset Value of the Company.

We also question whether management is exploring all avenues for maximizing value. From sources in Norway, we have been told that you have received an offer to sell your North Sea fleet at a highly attractive price. You did not explore this opportunity to find out what this offer might mean to you.

We also have reason to believe that you did not take up the option you had associated to your newbuilding contract, in spite of the fact that you could have resold the option with a profit of at least USD 5-6 million.

Summing up, it is unclear to us what you wish to do with our company. If you wanted to invest, you have missed opportunities. If you wanted to divest, you have also missed opportunities. How can we trust that you will run the company in the best interest of all shareholders?

As we have discussed with you before, please consider one or more of the following actions:

·         Return cash to shareholders through a special dividend or buy back program of own shares. The Company has more  than $16 per share of cash on its balance sheet.

·         Sell the company, in whole or in parts.

·         Sell the US operation in order to remove the Jones Act restrictions on marketability of Trico shares.

Last, but not least: If you believe that you have another strategy that will create better value for shareholders than the proposals above, communicate it in a comprehensible and credible manner so that shareholders can start to monitor your progress.”

On May 4, 2007, Mr. Korsvold delivered a letter to the Board of Directors of the Company reviewing its previous recommendations to the Company to enhance shareholder value and asking the Board to rescind the poison pill plan it put in place on April 9, 2007. A copy of the letter is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3

6




 

 

Except as set forth in this Item 4, the Reporting Persons have no present plans or proposals that relate to or that would result in any of the actions specified in Item 4 of Schedule 13D, but the Reporting Persons reserve the right to propose or undertake or participate in any such actions in the future.

Item 5.

Interest in Securities of the Issuer

Kistefos AS is the owner of 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.  These shares represent approximately 20.2% of the Company’s common stock computed in accordance with Rule 13d-3. Kistefos AS has shared voting and dispositive power with Christen Sveaas with respect to these shares.

Kistefos AS is directly owned 63.2% by Christen Sveaas, 32.3% by Svolder Holding AS, a Norwegian aksjeselskap (stock company), and 4.5% by an entity directly owned by Christen Sveaas. Mr. Sveaas indirectly owns Svolder Holding AS.

As the sole beneficial owner of Kistefos AS, Christen Sveaas is the beneficial owner of 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. These shares represent approximately 20.29% of the Company’s common stock computed in accordance with Rule 13d-3. Christen Sveaas has shared voting and dispositive power with Kistefos AS with respect to the shares it owns due to his ownership control of Kistefos AS.

The Reporting Persons acquired the 172,400 shares of common stock of the Company on October 6, 2005 through open market purchases.  The price per share was $26.6517.

The Reporting Persons acquired 200,000 shares of common stock of the Company in a public offering at the price of $24.00 per share on October 19, 2005.

The Reporting Persons acquired the following number of shares of common stock of the Company at the following prices through open market purchases on the dates set out below:

 

Date

 

No. of Shares

 

Price/Share

 

Aggregate Price

 

10/20/05

 

25,000

 

$

24.052

 

$

601,290.00

 

10/20/05

 

217,394

 

$

24.219

 

$

5,265,152.24

 

10/21/05

 

68,000

 

$

24.609

 

$

1,673,439.20

 

10/24/05

 

46,500

 

$

24.856

 

$

1,155,799.35

 

 

The Reporting Persons acquired 141,380 shares of common stock of the Company on February 1, 2007 through open market purchases. The price per share was $31.081. The Reporting Persons acquired an additional 7,726 shares of common stock of the Company on February 2, 2007 through open market purchases. The price per share was $30.9952.

The calculation of the percentages of beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock set forth herein is based upon 14,817,866 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding as of February 12, 2007, as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

Item 6.

Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer

Except as otherwise set forth in this Schedule 13D, none of the Reporting Persons has any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship (legal or otherwise) with any person with respect to any securities of the Company, including but not limited to, any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship concerning the transfer or voting of any securities of the Company, finder’s fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guaranties of profits, division of profits or loss or the giving or withholding of proxies.

Item 7.

Material to Be Filed as Exhibits

1. An Agreement for Joint Filing pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(i) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (incorporated by reference from the initial Schedule 13D filed by the Reporting Persons on March 25, 2005).

2. A power of attorney dated as of October 7, 2005 naming Frode Jensen, Esq. and Neal Beaton, Esq. as attorneys-in-fact for Kistefos AS and Christen Sveaas.

3. A letter dated May 4, 2007 from Mr. Age Korsvold, Chief Executive Officer of Kistefos AS to the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

7




 

SIGNATURES

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned persons, each of the undersigned persons certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Dated: May 4, 2007

 

 

 

 

Kistefos AS

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Frode Jensen

 

 

 

Frode Jensen, Esq.

 

 

Attorney-in-fact for Kistefos AS

 

 

 

 

 

Christen Sveaas

 

 

 

 

/s/ Frode Jensen

 

 

 

Frode Jensen, Esq.

 

 

Attorney-in-fact for Christen Sveaas

 

 

The original statement shall be signed by each person on whose behalf the statement is filed or his authorized representative.  If the statement is signed on behalf of a person by his authorized representative (other than an executive officer or general partner of this filing person), evidence of the representative’s authority to sign on behalf of such person shall be filed with the statement, provided, however, that a power of attorney for this purpose which is already on file with the Commission may be incorporated by reference.  The name of and any title of each person who signs the statement shall be typed or printed beneath his signature.

 

Attention: Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal criminal violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001).

8



EX-99.2 2 a07-13334_1ex99d2.htm EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.(2)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

The undersigned, Kistefos AS, the principal business address of which is Stranden 1, N-0250 Oslo, Norway, and Christen Sveaas, the Chairman and Sole Owner of Kistefos AS, do hereby appoint Frode Jensen, Esq. or Neal Beaton, Esq., c/o Holland & Knight LLP, 195 Broadway,  24th Floor, New York, NY, 10007, as attorney-in-fact, to execute and cause to be filed or delivered, as required by Sections 13(d), 13(g) and 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, any number, as appropriate, of originals and copies of the Securities and Exchange Commission Schedule 13D or 13G, as the case may be, and Forms 3, 4 or 5, as the case may be, any amendments thereto, in respect of the shares of Trico Marine Services, Inc. common stock, par value $.01 per share, owned by the undersigned and generally to take such other actions and perform such other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in all respects as it could do if the undersigned were personally present.

 

 

Signed as of the 7th day of October 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

KISTEFOS AS

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Christen Sveaas

 

 

 

Name: Christen Sveaas

 

 

Title: Chairman

 

 

 

CHRISTEN SVEAAS

 

 

 

/s/ Christen Sveaas

 

 

Sole Owner of Kistefos AS

 

 



EX-99.3 3 a07-13334_1ex99d3.htm EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.(3)

[Letterhead of Kistefos AS]

May 4, 2007

Board of Directors
Trico Marine Services, Inc.
2401 Fountainview
Suite 920
Houston, TX 77057
Attn:  Corporate Secretary

Gentlemen:

As you know, Kistefos AS owns 3,000,000 shares or approximately 20.2% of the outstanding common stock of Trico Marine Services, Inc. (the “Company”), making Kistefos by far the Company’s largest individual shareholder.

On numerous occasions, dating back to March 22, 2005, we have privately and publicly urged the Company’s Board of Directors and management to pursue policies which we believe would enhance shareholder value.  On June 13, 2006, we attended the Company’s annual meeting and asked management, based on the Company’s strong cash position and healthy cash flow generation, to return cash to shareholders through a special dividend or stock buy back program. We further stated that the Company should seek to strengthen its strategic market position by expanding its revenue base, increasing its active fleet and increasing market share through additional investments.  More recently, we publicly asked management to consider selling the Company, in whole or in parts, or to consider selling the US operation in order to remove the Jones Act restrictions on the marketability of the Company’s shares.  We pointedly asked management whether  it has another strategy that will create greater value for shareholders than our proposals, and, if so, to please communicate it in a comprehensible and credible manner so that shareholders can start to monitor its progress.

The Company’s board of directors has failed to seriously or effectively respond to any of our requests or recommendations. In February 2007, the Company sold $150,000,000 in principal amount of convertible debentures, at a conversion price we believe is significantly below the net asset value of the Company.  While this increased the cash position of the Company, Trico already had a substantial cash balance and it is difficult to understand the rationale for diluting shareholders without having communicated a credible strategic plan for the use of the proceeds.

On April 9, 2007, the Board announced by press release that it had adopted a poison pill plan.  We are writing to express our extreme opposition to this development. Not only does the poison pill discriminate particularly against Kistefos in that it prevents us alone among all shareholders from acquiring more shares, it also does not in any way benefit our fellow shareholders. The principal purpose of the poison pill is to insulate and entrench the incumbent Board and management, thereby making you less accountable to us, the shareholders.

As you well know, poison pills can and do significantly reduce shareholder value by the following:

·                  Poison pills are not really aimed at stopping hostile acquirers or coercive or unfair bids as you have alleged in your justification for the pill, but are aimed at concerned shareholders who challenge management to increase the value of their investment. There is no compelling evidence that poison pills enhance shareholder value or lead to “fairer” transactions.




 

·                  We believe that fundamentally  shareholders  should be entitled to decide for themselves on what is a fair  price for  their  holdings.  However,  as a  consequence  of the poison pill, potential bidders for the Company’s stock are forced to negotiate with management,  and are effectively precluded from taking their offer directly to the shareholders.

·                  Moreover, your plan chills the right of shareholders to form groups to vote together on basic matters of corporate governance, such as the election of directors. Following the adoption of your plan, any group of shareholders that includes Kistefos and  gathers enough votes to make a difference risks being labeled a group, triggering the pill, having its vote taken away and the value of its investment significantly and wrongfully diminished.

·                  The poison pill is a cushion which allows the Board to neglect value-enhancing measures such as improving results, communicating better and building credibility with shareholders, structuring the balance sheet for maximum shareholder return and actively seeking investors and acquirers.

·                  Through the combination of the poison pill and your classified board as well as the chilling effect of the pill not only on acquisition activities but also on Kistefos’ participation in the corporate governance of the Company,  you have essentially disenfranchised your largest stockholder, which can never be a healthy thing for a company to do.

We urge the Company’s independent directors to act immediately to rescind the pill and put shareholder value first. While it is true that the shareholders have benefited from the positive effects of a strong market, you have missed numerous opportunities to grow and enhance the profitability of  the Company . You have confirmed to us that you did not consider reselling the option associated with your newbuilding contract in Norway that you had decided not to exercise, when you could have resold the option into the market for a significant profit.  Furthermore, by raising dilutive capital which you do not need and putting in place deliberate obstructions to enhanced value, we, the stockholders have been losing. Only by placing the shareholder first, by revoking the pill and actively seeking out opportunities for enhanced returns, can management and the shareholders both truly “win”.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Åge Korsvold

Åge Korsvold
Chief Executive Officer

 



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