With its famous brands seemingly in demand from overseas suitors, undercapitalization still prevalent and profit margins remaining squeezed, a wave of takeovers is set to change the UK’s Food Manufacturing sector forever.
The ongoing story of United Biscuits being courted by prospective new owners suggests that British brands remaining in high demand from major overseas players. Overall, UK based Food Manufacturers are facing weak growth and the prospect of a double dip recession. So, should UK based manufacturers be openly courting the attentions of buyers now to get the best value for their shareholders?
For example, should other major players such as Northern Foods (who posted their half year results today) also explore the possibility of attracting outside investment into the company to help it prosper in a difficult market?
93 UK based manufacturers would benefit from being taken over – Click here to find out who.
Showing posts with label food manufacturing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food manufacturing. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Monday, 4 October 2010
UK Food Brands - How many more will be lost to overseas suitors?
With news that Premier Foods is open to offers for Quorn (its meat free brand) as part of a debt reduction strategy, it poses the question, "Are UK's Food Manufacturers set to clean out their cupboards?"
Plimsoll has identified 153 of the UK's leading food manufacturers that need to to take urgent and radical steps need to be taken. With so many manufacturers in difficulty, there is a growing sense that we will see some famous brands changing hands as companies try to get debts back under control.
How many of these brands will be lost to overseas suitors is difficult to say but the recent flirtations between United Biscuits and Bright Foods seems to indicate a serious appetite for western brands among eastern groups. Plimsoll has also identified 93 other UK companies that are vulnerable to takeover. In many cases, whole companies will be acquired rather than just individual brands.
The latest Plimsoll Analysis has analysed the 500 largest Food Manufacturers in Britain and rated each one on its performance, likelihood of being taken over and what its future prospects are.
Click here to find out which companies could be bought out, those set to fail and those powering ahead
Plimsoll has identified 153 of the UK's leading food manufacturers that need to to take urgent and radical steps need to be taken. With so many manufacturers in difficulty, there is a growing sense that we will see some famous brands changing hands as companies try to get debts back under control.
How many of these brands will be lost to overseas suitors is difficult to say but the recent flirtations between United Biscuits and Bright Foods seems to indicate a serious appetite for western brands among eastern groups. Plimsoll has also identified 93 other UK companies that are vulnerable to takeover. In many cases, whole companies will be acquired rather than just individual brands.
The latest Plimsoll Analysis has analysed the 500 largest Food Manufacturers in Britain and rated each one on its performance, likelihood of being taken over and what its future prospects are.
Click here to find out which companies could be bought out, those set to fail and those powering ahead
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
United Biscuits – Are Bright Foods set to pay too much for their Jaffa Cakes?
United Biscuits – Are Bright Foods set to pay too much for their Jaffa Cakes?
With Bright Foods, the Chinese food giant in talks to acquire United Biscuits we have to ask one pertinent question - Is United really worth the reported £2bn?
According to our calculations, the company is probably worth closer to £1.5bn. After its assets and liabilities have been taken into account its equity value is probably closer to £1.2bn. So, while United has increased in value in each of the last 2 years, the current owners, it is worth considerably less than the rumoured price – the current owners are getting a good deal.
Clearly, Bright Foods are after United for its portfolio of brands rather than for short term financial gain and they are prepared to pay a premium for it. Hopefully, the jobs and investment will stay in the UK and not be moved overseas like in other takeovers of this type. Will new owners at United Biscuits do the same thing that Kraft did at Cadburys?
Click here to see which of the UK’s Food Manufacturers is likely to be the next big takeover story
With Bright Foods, the Chinese food giant in talks to acquire United Biscuits we have to ask one pertinent question - Is United really worth the reported £2bn?
According to our calculations, the company is probably worth closer to £1.5bn. After its assets and liabilities have been taken into account its equity value is probably closer to £1.2bn. So, while United has increased in value in each of the last 2 years, the current owners, it is worth considerably less than the rumoured price – the current owners are getting a good deal.
Clearly, Bright Foods are after United for its portfolio of brands rather than for short term financial gain and they are prepared to pay a premium for it. Hopefully, the jobs and investment will stay in the UK and not be moved overseas like in other takeovers of this type. Will new owners at United Biscuits do the same thing that Kraft did at Cadburys?
Click here to see which of the UK’s Food Manufacturers is likely to be the next big takeover story
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