Nestlé is in talks with the Paris-based private equity firm FNB regarding the potential sale of its infant nutrition division in France.
In an official statement, the French branch of the Swiss multinational confirmed its plans to transfer its range of infant products manufactured in France and distributed worldwide.
These include the NaturNes baby pots, flavored cereal powders such as Babicao and Babivanille, and P’tit yogurt pots. Notably, the sale will exclude the infant formula line.
The manufacturer of Chocopic cereal stated that the sale would enable it to allocate additional resources to its infant formulas, emphasizing them as a “strategic and historical pillar for the group.”
The deal is expected to close by the first half of 2024, subject to “a mandatory consultation period with staff representatives, regulatory approval, and the negotiation of sale agreements.”
Around 230 individuals are involved in the production and marketing of the affected baby food brands, with operations taking place at locations in Issy-les-Moulineaux and Arches.
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The company asserted that the transaction would “have no impact on the concerned jobs.”
“It also would not change the company’s relationship with its customers, partners or local suppliers.”
Jobs at the baby food plants in Issy-les-Moulineaux and Arches will continue to operate fully as part of the Nestlé Group until FnB and Nestlé France have finalized an agreement.
The sale would represent FnB’s second acquisition of a Nestlé France business. In 2022, the investment group successfully obtained the mashed potato brand Mousline for an undisclosed amount.
In June last year, the private equity fund also entered the drinks market, securing a majority stake in coffee supplier Cafés Legal.
FnB refrained from providing comments on the news.
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