Asciano in August rejected a takeover approach by private equity...

Asciano in August rejected a takeover approach by private equity firms TPG Capital and Global Infrastructure Partners worth $3.1 billion or $4.40 a share.

The indicative, non-binding offer appeared to be revisited last month when the firms called Asciano saying they might seek further talks.

Mr Poole told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting on October 22 that the parties were not interested in a hostile takeover and wanted to "work in a friendly way."

He also said the offer $4.40 a share undervalued the company's assets.

At the time of the meeting, Asciano securities were trading around $2.75.