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Kraft Heinz Withdraws Unilever Bid

Polman warns of foodmaker's cost-cutting culture.

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By: TOM BRANNA

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After being criticized by Unilever's CEO, Kraft Heinz officially withdrew its $143 billion offer to purchase the world's No. 2 FMCG company. The Wall Street Journal reported that Unilever CEO Paul Polman warned investors and board members that a culture of cost-cutting at Kraft could damage Unilever’s brands.


Polman also said Kraft, which sells products like Velveeta and Jell-O, had a lack of experience in personal-care and household goods, reported the Journal, which quoted people familiar with the situation. Unilever sells brands such as Dove, Suave and Lever.


On Friday, Unilever rejected a $50-a-share buyout offer from Kraft Heinz, which is jointly based in Chicago and Pittsburgh.


Unilever said it believed the offer was undervalued and had no merit for its investors. Kraft Heinz put an 18% premium on Unilever’s stock.


Even so, the price would be the highest paid for a British company, according to Thomson Reuters, and the third-largest deal in history.

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