Madrid, 30 March 2010. Ebro Puleva (www.ebropuleva.com) and Lactalis (www.lactalis.fr) have signed the sale and purchase agreement of the Ebro Puleva dairy division. As announced on 8 March, the transaction is valued at ¿630 million and its ultimate conclusion is subject to approval by the European anti-trust authorities.
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Selling the dairy business marks the beginning of a new development era for Ebro Puleva; a period in which its main aim will be to consolidate its position as a major global operator in meal solutions, offering a broad portfolio of products based on the concepts of health, pleasure and convenience.
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To quote Antonio Hernández Callejas, Chairman of Ebro Puleva, ¿We are very satisfied with the agreement reached with Lactalis, as it guarantees Puleva a significant development potential; its incorporation in the most important group in the European dairy sector will undoubtedly give it a firm platform for growth. At the same time, this divestment puts our company in an ideal position to take off on major projects within the worldwide meal solutions segment¿.
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M Jaouen, CEO of Lactalis, has declared that ¿this acquisition will reinforce the position of Lactalis and its brands as a major player on the Spanish market in order to create added value for the Spanish dairy sector¿.
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About Ebro Puleva
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Ebro Puleva (www.ebropuleva.com) is the leading Group in the Spanish food sector in terms of turnover, profit, market capitalisation and international presence. Ebro Puleva is world leader in the rice sector, the second group in the international pasta sector and number 1 on the Spanish dairy product market. It has leading brands in each of these sectors, including: Panzani®, Ronzoni®, Skinner®, Healthy Harvest®, American Beauty®, Saint Giorgio®, Catelli®, Lancia®, Birkel®, 3 Glocken®, Schuele®, Minuto® and Nudel Up® in pastas and sauces; Mahatma®, Success®, Carolina®, Minute Rice®, Lustucru®, Taureau Ailé®, Oryza®, Bosto®, Reis-Fit®, Riceland®, Danrice®, Risella®, Brillante®, Nomen®, La Cigala® and La Fallera® in the rice sector; and Puleva®, Ram® and El Castillo® in the dairy sector.
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About the Lactalis Group
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The Lactalis Group (www.lactalis.fr) is the world¿s third leading dairy group. With a global turnover of ¿8.5 billion and 37,000 employees in 25 countries worldwide, it has a strong presence in Spain on the cheese, milk and milk drinks through the brands Lauki®, Chufi®, Choleck®, Président®, Galbani®, El Ventero®, Gran Capitan®, Don Bernardo® and Lactel®; it also sells yoghurts and fresh dairy desserts under the La Lechera® brand. After this acquisition, it will have twelve factories in Spain, 2,700 employees and a turnover of approximately ¿1.2 billion.
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For more information
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Communication Department
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Tel. +34.91.724.53.78 — +34.91.724.52.64
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comunicación@ebropuleva.com
