Italy-based confectioner Ferrero has confirmed it has made a formal bid to acquire Belgian biscuits maker Delacre, which is part of Pladis, the newly-formed biscuits and chocolate subsidiary of Turkish conglomerate Yildiz Holding.
A Ferrero spokesperson told just-food: “We confirm that a Ferrero-affiliated entity has made an offer to acquire the manufacturers of Delacre and Delichoc biscuits, Biscuits Delacre and United Biscuits Industries from United Biscuits.”
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“Standard procedures and steps for a transaction of this nature are being followed and the parties will provide further updates in due course,” the spokesperson said.
Ferrero’s interest in Delacre had been rumoured for several weeks, although the company had made no official comment on the matter.
Pladis, home to business including United Biscuits, Godiva and Ulker, started operations in January. Named after the Pleiades star, Yildiz said Pladis’ mission is to “bring happiness to the whole world in every bite”.
Yildiz said in June that it planned to list Pladis in London by 2020. The Turkish group said the move was part of a push to become the world’s largest snack group. A spokesperson for the company told just-food the IPO would be used to raise funds for expansion, with Yildiz retaining a majority stake.
