The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has announced that it will seek to block ASSA ABLOY´s proposed acquisition of the HHI division of Spectrum Brands. ASSA ABLOY and Spectrum Brands strongly disagree with the Department of Justice’s characterization of the proposed transaction, and will vigorously contest in court this effort by the DOJ to oppose the transaction. On September 8, 2021, ASSA ABLOY announced it had signed an agreement to acquire the HHI division of Spectrum Brands (NYSE:SPB) for a purchase price of MUSD 4,300 on a cash and debt free basis. "We believe strongly in the