Campbell Soup Co makes a play for United Biscuits
The US food corporation, the Campbell Soup Company, is reportedly planning to launch a break up bid for UK-based United Biscuits. After initially considering listing the business, overseas owners Blackstone (a US investment firm) and PAI Partners (French buyout experts) officially put United Biscuits up for sale last month.
A leading British brand, United Biscuits makes everything from Jaffa Cakes, BN and McVitie's biscuits to snacks such as Hula Hoops, KP Nuts, Jacob's Cream Crackers, The Real McCoy's crisps and Twiglets. Campbell Soup Co is allegedly more interested in purchasing the biscuit side of United - which makes up 75 per cent of the business - rather than the snacks and crisps arm.
Other industry rumours state that Campbell's has been seeking advice on a prudent break-up bid from financial advisors Centerview Partners, the same firm who masterminded Kraft's controversial takeover of Cadbury.
Campbell's will not be alone in seeking a piece of United Biscuits, however, as Kellogg, Pepsico and the aforementioned Kraft are all rumoured to be interested in buying out parts of the business. It doesn't seem as if any parties are interested in buying United as a whole, which could leave the food jobs of the firm's existing employees in jeopardy.
A leading British brand, United Biscuits makes everything from Jaffa Cakes, BN and McVitie's biscuits to snacks such as Hula Hoops, KP Nuts, Jacob's Cream Crackers, The Real McCoy's crisps and Twiglets. Campbell Soup Co is allegedly more interested in purchasing the biscuit side of United - which makes up 75 per cent of the business - rather than the snacks and crisps arm.
Other industry rumours state that Campbell's has been seeking advice on a prudent break-up bid from financial advisors Centerview Partners, the same firm who masterminded Kraft's controversial takeover of Cadbury.
Campbell's will not be alone in seeking a piece of United Biscuits, however, as Kellogg, Pepsico and the aforementioned Kraft are all rumoured to be interested in buying out parts of the business. It doesn't seem as if any parties are interested in buying United as a whole, which could leave the food jobs of the firm's existing employees in jeopardy.
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