Lactalis Makes Offer For Yoplait
French dairy group Lactalis is reported to have made an offer for Yoplait, the international dairy business, to create a big French dairy sector champion worldwide. Such a deal, which values Yoplait at about Eur1.3b, would also and retain the Yoplait brand under French ownership.
Operating through a franchise system and marketed in over 75 countries worldwide, Yoplait had sales of Eur3.8b in 2009. Lactalis reported sales of Eur8.5b last year with 56% generated beyond France.
Yoplait was put in play earlier this year when private equity company PAI Partners decided to sell its 50% stake. However, Sodiaal, the French co-operative, maintains that is does not want to dispose of its 50% stake and Yoplait chief executive Lucien Fa values Yoplait at Eur1.5b.
In addition to Lactalis, other parties interested in Yoplait include Nestle, Arla Foods and General Mills, which operates the Yoplait franchise in the US, along with a number of private equity companies.
