FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of July
Commission File Number
WATERFORD WEDGWOOD PLC
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
EMBASSY HOUSE, HERBERT PARK LANE, BALLSBRIDGE,
DUBLIN 4, IRELAND
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X...
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS NOT FOR RELEASE,
PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR
JAPAN.
21 July, 2005
WATERFORD WEDGWOOD PLC ('Waterford Wedgwood' or 'the Company')
RIGHTS ISSUE - SIR ANTHONY O'REILLY AND MR PETER JOHN GOULANDRIS INCREASE
SHAREHOLDING TO 51.35%
Waterford Wedgwood announces that the 7 for 11 Rights Issue of 1,691,857,115
Rights Issue Units at EUR 0.06 per unit to raise approximately EUR 101 million
gross of expenses, closed at 11.00 a.m. on 18 July, 2005. Details of the Rights
Issue were contained in the Listing Particulars dated 27 June, 2005. The Company
received valid acceptances in respect of 528,540,678 Rights Issue Units from
Qualifying Stockholders, representing an aggregate take-up of approximately
31.24 per cent of the total number of Rights Issue Units offered. Birchfield
Holdings Limited (a company owned and controlled by Sir Anthony O'Reilly and Mr.
Peter John Goulandris, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman respectively) which
underwrote 100% of the Rights Issue is subscribing for the balance of
1,163,316,437 Rights Issue Units in accordance with the terms of the
Underwriting Agreement. Therefore, following the Rights Issue the aggregate
holdings of Stock Units by entities beneficially owned and controlled by Sir
Anthony O'Reilly and/or Mr. Peter John Goulandris stands at 51.35%. The number
of Stock Units in issue following the completion of the Rights Issue will be
4,350,489,725.
Redmond O'Donoghue, Chief Executive of Waterford Wedgwood said: "We are pleased
to have the resources to fund the important restructuring programme which we
detailed on 4 May. Our Chairman and Deputy Chairman have once again demonstrated
their commitment to this Company."
This announcement should be read in conjunction with the Listing Particulars
dated 27 June, 2005. Terms defined in the Listing Particulars have the same
meaning in this announcement.
Enquiries:
Davy + 353 1 679 6363
Hugh McCutcheon
Stephen Barry
Powerscourt (UK/International media) +44 207 236 5615
Rory Godson +44 7909 926 020
Dennehy Associates (Ireland) +353 1 676 4733
Michael Dennehy +353 87 2556923
Davy, which is regulated in Ireland by the Financial Regulator, is acting for
Waterford Wedgwood and Waterford Wedgwood U.K. plc and no one else in connection
with the Rights Issue and Admission and will not be responsible to anyone other
than Waterford Wedgwood and Waterford Wedgwood U.K. plc for providing the
protections afforded to its customers or for providing advice in relation to the
Rights Issue and Admission.
This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, an offer of, or the
solicitation of any offer, to subscribe for or buy any of the Rights Issue Units
to be issued or sold in connection with the Rights Issue. Offers should be made
only on the basis of the information contained in the Listing Particulars issued
in connection with the Rights Issue and any supplements thereto. The Listing
Particulars contain detailed information about the Rights Issue, Waterford
Wedgwood and its management, as well as financial information.
The offer of the Rights Issue Units in certain jurisdictions may be restricted
by law and therefore potential investors should inform themselves about and
observe any such restrictions. This announcement does not contain or constitute
an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities referred to
herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'U.S. Securities Act') and may not be
offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from
registration under the U.S. Securities Act. This announcement and the
information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution in
or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Waterford Wedgwood PLC
(Registrant)
By: Patrick Dowling
(Signature)*
Date: 21 July 2005