Reckitt Benckiser Signs Merger Agreement To Acquire Schiff Nutrition

SLOUGH, England, Nov. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC ("Reckitt Benckiser") (LSE: RBL) today announces it has signed a definitive merger agreement with Schiff Nutrition International, Inc. ("Schiff") (NYSE:SHF) a leading provider of branded vitamins, nutrition supplements and nutrition bars in the United States and elsewhere. The Board of Directors of Schiff has approved the transaction and will recommend that its stockholders tender their shares into Reckitt Benckiser's previously announced cash tender offer of $42.00 per share, valuing Schiff at $1.4 billion.  Reckitt Benckiser's tender offer will expire at 11:59 p.m. New York City time, on December 14, 2012, unless extended in accordance with the merger agreement and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.   Reckitt Benckiser will finance the transaction with cash and existing credit facilities. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings on an adjusted basis.

Rakesh Kapoor, Reckitt Benckiser Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial agreement with Schiff and are excited to enter the $30 billion global vitamins, minerals and supplements market with such a strong portfolio of high quality branded business in the USA.  Schiff's portfolio is an excellent fit with our strategic focus on health and hygiene, where in health care in the USA we already have Mucinex, Delsym, Cepacol and Durex as major brands."

"The sub-categories within which Schiff operates have strong growth momentum and to this we expect to combine Reckitt Benckiser's strong go to market capabilities as well as proven skills in branding, innovation and consumer communication and education."

"The integration process will be undertaken promptly following completion of the transaction, so that the business can continue its growth trajectory with minimum disruption and realize synergies as soon as possible.  Reckitt Benckiser expects the tender offer to close before the end of calendar year 2012."

1 2 3 Next › Last »