Reckitt Benckiser, which owns Durex condoms and Varnish laundry detergent for instance, has identified American children’s food manufacturer Mead Johnson Nutrition as a potential acquisition target and is willing to pay more than 15 billion euro.
15.5 billion euro
The British consumer goods manufacturer will pay 90 dollars per share, in cash, to acquire Mead Johnson Nutrition, leading to a total sum of 16.7 billion dollars (15.5 billion euro). Up until 2009, the American children’s food specialist was part of the Bristol-Myers group.
The company has been around for more than 110 years and sells about 70 pediatric products across more than 50 markets. In 2016, its annual turnover reached 3.75 billion dollars (3.5 billion euro), down 8 % compared to 2015 (and – 3 % with level exchange rates). Its EBITDA reached 926.8 million dollars (nearly 860 million euro).
If it is successful, Reckitt Benckiser will have beaten French Danone to the punch, because there are rumours saying it is also interested in Mead Johnson Nutrition.
