Danone snaps up nutrition business of India's Wockhardt
Reported Aug 2, 2011
French food conglomerate Danone said Tuesday it had agreed to buy Wockhardt's
nutrition business and brands for 250 million euros ($355 million), gaining an
entry into India's baby nutrition markets.
"The strong brand awareness of Wockhardt?s Dexolac, Farex and Nusobee baby
nutrition products and their credibility with healthcare professionals will
accelerate Danone?s entry into the country?s baby nutrition market," Danone said
in a statement.
With over 25 million children born each year, India is the fastest-growing
infant nutrition market in the world, noted Danone, which makes the Bebelac
infant formula.
Danone, known best for its yoghurt as well as Evian water, said the deal would
give it access to a distribution network that stretches across India.
Despite being present in over 120 countries and generating half its sales in
emerging countries, Danone has so far had little presence in India's large and
fast-growing market.
Its rival Nestle dominates the baby nutrition market with three-quarters of
sales.
Danone said under the deal it will also acquire the nutritional supplement brand
Protinex that will give it a strong foundation for developing its medical
nutrition business.
An Indian-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology, Wockhardt employs 6,500 people
worldwide and has 14 manufacturing plants in India, Britain, Ireland, France and
the United States.
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