The process to sell Nestle’s skin health division is off to a good start, with strong interest in the business following an overhaul, the chief executive said on Thursday.
“We’ve seen very, very strong interest in this process, and literally people lining up around the block to be part of this process,” Chief Executive Mark Schneider told analysts in a conference call.
First round bids for the unit, which is expected to fetch around 7 billion Swiss francs ($7 billion), are due on 6 March, two sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
Nestle declined to comment on the deadline.
Another source said the unit, which sells Cetaphil and Proactiv skin care products, Restylane wrinkle fillers and prescription dermatology medicines, is particularly attractive to private equity firms, since there are not many assets of this size available.
Reuters reported last month that private equity firms Cinven and Advent had teamed up to submit a joint offer, while several other firms were also expected to bid.
CEO Schneider said the business was operating from a position of strength following “significant, impressive progress” in performance over the past 2.5 years.
He said a similar turnaround had taken place at the Herta charcuterie business, which is also up for sale.
That business, which is particularly big in France but present in other parts of Europe, had sales of about 680 million Swiss francs last year, Schneider said.
Nestle shares were up more than 2 percent at 1445 GMT on Thursday after the company reported higher 2018 sales and forecast further growth this year, as Schneider’s overhaul takes hold. ($1 = 1.0057 Swiss francs)
By Martinne Geller and Arno Schuetze
Source: Reuters
The facility is designed to foster innovation and deepen collaboration with customers, by offering a range of new services and solidifying its role as a central hub for customer support. Tereos’ team, supported by a network of 50 scientists, will ensure customers can innovate and meet the rising consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable products.
Glanbia has agreed to acquire Flavor Producers from Aroma Holding for an initial consideration of $300 million. Flavor Producers is a US-based flavour platform, providing flavours and extracts to the F&B industries, with a focus on organic and natural ingredients.
Lesnard, who previously worked at Nike, The North Face and Sephora, has a mission to “grow and sustain GODIVA’s position and expertise in the premium chocolate category, leveraging ongoing support from pladis to take GODIVA and its legendary chocolate to new heights.”
