Sharechat Logo

Murray Goulburn enters binding agreement to sell to Saputo for A$1.3 billion

Friday 27th October 2017

Text too small?

Murray Goulburn Cooperative, Australia's largest milk processor, has entered a binding agreement to sell all its operating assets and liabilities to Canada's Saputo for A$1.31 billion, it told shareholders at their annual meeting.

"The transaction has the full support of the board, including supplier directors, who believe that the Saputo transaction represents the best available outcome for our suppliers and our investors, providing real value for shareholders and rewarding our loyal suppliers through the milk supply commitments," it said. 

The deal requires shareholder and foreign investment board approval as well as clearance by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Saputo said in a statement that the purchase price will be financed through a newly committed bank loan. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of calendar 2018.

"The acquisition of Murray Goulburn will add to and complement the activities of Saputo's dairy division," it said. "By acquiring a well-established industry player, the company reinforces its commitment to strengthen its presence in the Australian market. Saputo intends to continue to invest in its Australian platform and contribute to the ongoing development of its domestic and international business." 

In 2014 Saputo acquired a controlling stake in Victoria dairy producer Warrnambool Cheese and  Butter and by 2017 held all remaining shares. 

The agreement with Murray Goulburn includes a series of commitments from Saputo ensuring milk collection and market pricing into the future, the Australian dairy company said. For its part, Murray Goulburn will increase its 2018 milk payout by 40 Australian cents to A$5.60 per kilogram of milk solids supplied from Nov. 1. Active MG suppliers will receive a 40 Australian cents-per-kilogram of milk solids retrospective backpay amount in respect of all qualifying milk solids supplied between July 1 and Oct. 31, it said.

Murray Goulburn's prior forecast payment for the current season at A$5.20 per kilogram of milk solids was below the forecast payouts of rivals, including Fonterra and Saputo's Warrnambool and Bega Cheese.

Active MG Suppliers will also receive a loyalty payment of 40 Australian cents per kilogram of milk solids for all milk supplied in 2018, subject to completion of the transaction, it said.

The estimated net value per unit is A$1.10 to A$1.15 after working capital adjustment and other costs, it said. MG Unit Trust rose 7.2 percent to 89 Australian cents on the ASX. The company also said the estimated initial distribution would be approximately 75 Australian cents per unit to be paid shortly after completion.

Murray Goulburn will retain all assets and liabilities associated with the MG Unit Trust and any liability in relation to the current ACCC proceedings, ASIC investigation and unit holder class action, which is why it will retain part of the proceeds of the transaction until those matters are concluded. 

In April, the ACCC filed Federal Court proceedings against Murray Goulburn for breaching Australian consumer law. An investigation was launched when Murray Goulburn abruptly slashed its forecast payout for its farmer shareholders in April last year and the ACCC alleges Murray Goulburn "engaged in unconscionable conduct and made false or misleading representations. " 

Murray Goulburn and Fonterra are the biggest dairy processors in Australia, each handling about 2 billion litres of milk a year in a market characterised by a shortage of milk and too much processing capacity. 

Murray Goulburn announced a strategic review in June after last year's slump in global milk prices wrong-footed the dairy cooperative. At the time it said the review would look at all aspects of MG's strategy and corporate structure, including the profit sharing mechanism and capital structure and Deutsche Bank - which was advising the cooperative - then said received a number of confidential unsolicited proposals including full takeover from third parties.

Other interested bidders reportedly included China's Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group as well as Bega, Parmalat, Fonterra and Arla Foods.

(BusinessDesk)



  General Finance Advertising    

Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:
Your name:
Your email:
Not displayed to the public
Comment:
Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved.

Related News:

SML - Synlait Milk Limited - Trading Halt of Securities
AIA - Auckland Airport announces board chair changes
AIA - Auckland Airport announces board chair changes
CEN - Tauhara commissioning progress update
FPH initiates voluntary limited recall
March 28th Morning Report
KFL Celebrates 20 Years of Excellence in Investment Mgmt.
SVR - Savor FY24 Earnings Guidance & Change in Banking Partner
NZK - NZ King Salmon Investments Limited FY24 Results
March 27th Morning Report