Groupe Danone, Paris, France, and Royal Numico, Schiphol, The Netherlands, have jointly announced the impending purchase of Numico by Groupe Danone for $16.7 billion. According to the two companies, the acquisition of Numico will further reinforce Danone’s positioning as a global leader in the consumer goods industry, with a growing emphasis on healthy nutrition. Numico’s presence in attractive and growing markets in baby food and clinical nutrition around the world will provide Danone with an additional pillar to drive future growth and profitability. Danone recognizes the long history and successful business strategy of Numico and intends to maintain the current organization of its businesses intact and operate them as a new division within the enlarged Danone group.
Numico will continue to be headquartered at Schiphol.

Both companies assert that this purchase is not expected to have significant negative consequences on the employment situation of the combined business. Commenting on the proposed offer, Franck Riboud, chairman and CEO of Danone, said, “The price Groupe Danone is offering today is a reflection of the outstanding quality and positioning of Numico as one of the world’s leaders in healthy nutrition. The combination of the two groups will create a unique food company—one with the clearest and most powerful health positioning in the world. With this project, we are designing a new Groupe Danone, enhancing dramatically its growth profile and its growth potential for the years to come.”

Also commenting on the proposed offer, Jan Bennink, CEO and president of Numico, said, “We are all very proud of Numico’s achievements over the last few years. Numico enjoys today very strong market positions and very attractive prospects, and the proposed offer by Danone is a recognition of the strength and quality of the group. I am confident that a combination with Danone and the position of Numico within the enlarged Danone group will ensure its continued growth momentum for the future. This deal is a very attractive proposition for all of our stakeholders, including our employees and shareholders.”