14/12/2009

Cadbury Defends Takeover Refusal

Chocolatier giant Cadbury has claimed an international food conglomerate attempted to buy it "on the cheap".

Cadbury rejected Kraft Foods's hostile takeover bid last month, describing it as "derisory".

Board members turned down the £10bn offer, suggesting sales in the last year have indicated there are "exceptional growth opportunities" in its market.

Chairman Roger Carr wrote to shareholders today stressing the significance of Cadbury's brands.

"Cadbury is an exceptional business worth much more than the offer put forward by Kraft," he said.

"Kraft is trying to buy Cadbury on the cheap to provide much needed growth to their unattractive low-growth conglomerate business model. Don't let Kraft steal your company with its derisory offer."

Shareholders have until 5 January 2010 to vote on the deal, which Kraft said was in the "best interests" of both companies.

Cadbury is said to be in talks with US confectionery producer Hershey about an alternative takeover deal.

Cadbury Chief Executive Todd Stitzer said sales performance would continue to "exceed expectations".

He suggested revenues would grow from anywhere between 5% and 7% over the next several years.

He did not comments on the speculation surrounding the Hershey counter-offer.

(PR/BMcc)

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