Premier Foods today (14 September) revealed that talks to acquire the UK and Ireland biscuits and snacks business of United Biscuits have collapsed.


Premier’s withdrawal from negotiations follows reports in the UK press that the company had failed to secure sufficient funding for the venture after the withdrawal of private equity partners Lion Capital.


The UB businesses up for grabs included well-known brands such as McVitie’s, Jacobs and Jaffa Cakes and have been valued at GBP1.7bn (US$3.2bn).


“Premier continues to consider acquisitions to be an important part of its overall strategy and evaluates potential acquisition opportunities according to its strict set of acquisition criteria,” Premier said in a statement.


Premier’s withdrawal from the race appears to leave the way clear for US private equity group Blackstone which has also been in talks with UB.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.