UK shopper items main Reckitt Benckiser is reportedly contemplating suspending plans to promote its infant-formula unit.
News company Bloomberg, quoting unnamed sources conversant in the scenario, stated the sale, seemingly value US$7bn, has fallen sufferer to “chaos within the trade and worsening financing markets”.
The firm reportedly kicked off plans to sell its remaining businesses in infant formula in April and was stated to be working with advisers on strikes to promote the belongings, which embrace the Enfamil model. Numerous private-equity companies, together with Clayton Dubilier & Rice, had been linked with a potential acquisition.
A sale would mark Reckitt’s exit from toddler method 5 years after shopping for US producer Mead Johnson. Last 12 months, the corporate sold its infant-formula operations in China to local investment firm Primavera Capital Group. Reckitt Benckiser stored an 8% stake within the enterprise.
However, final month it was reported that potential buyers had been spooked by a US scarcity of infant-nutrition merchandise brought on by the closure of an Abbott Laboratories plant following a salmonella scare.
Ironically, Reckitt Benckiser is likely one of the firms that has elevated the manufacturing of its merchandise to assist preserve grocery store cabinets stocked.
But, in line with Bloomberg’s report, talks between the London-listed firm and potential acquirers have stalled in latest weeks.
Aside from the baby-formula disaster, the media outlet cited disagreement over valuation and a scarcity of obtainable funding for causes no deal has been sealed.
The construction of the sector can be coming under increased scrutiny by regulators, eager to make sure that shortages don’t happen sooner or later.
The report stated Reckitt Benckiser has not but made a ultimate resolution on whether or not to formally pull the sale.
Just Food has requested Reckitt Benckiser to touch upon the Bloomberg story.
Just Food analysis: Why there’s no single formula to fix US infant-milk market
https://www.just-food.com/news/reckitt-benckiser-sale-infant-nutrition/
