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Family business roundup: Merck acquires a supplier, Soros invests in TV

December 6, 2013

Germany’s Merck bulked up its materials and specialty chemicals business with purchase of high-tech electronic materials company and George Soros bought into Australia’s Nine Entertainment’s IPO.

Merck
German pharmaceuticals and chemicals business Merck, which is 70% owned by the eponymous founding family, is to buy Britain's AZElectronic Materials for £2.6 billion (€3.1 billion).

Forbes family prepares to sell media empire

November 18, 2013

Forbes is set to become the latest high-profile publication to leave family ownership, with its parent company, Forbes Media, confirming the business is up for sale.

In an email to staff on Friday, chief executive Mike Perlis – the first non-family member to run the company in its 96-year history – said it had hired bankers to “test the waters regarding a sale”.

According to the Wall St Journal, the company hopes the sale will yield more than $400 million.

AB InBev eyeing another major acquisition

October 29, 2013

AB InBev, the largest brewery company in the world and producer of brands such as Stella Artois, Budweiser and Beck's, may be preparing to buy its closest rival in one of the largest mergers in history.

According to media reports, the Belgian family-controlled AB InBev has its eye on London-based SABMiller as its next major acquisition, following its purchase of Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo in June of this year.

AB InBev was formed in 2008 when InBev purchased Anheuser-Busch Companies – a US family brewing business, with roots dating back to 1852.

Family business roundup: America Movil, Sirivadhanabhakdi, Pritzker Organization, Maple Leaf Foods, L’Oreal

August 28, 2013

America Movil backs sweetened Telefonica deal, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi looks to reduce debt with IPO, Pritzker Organization takes timber services company private, Maple Leaf Foods sells biodiesel and rendering business, and the Bettencourts rule out a L'Oreal sale.

America Movil
Telefonica has received the support of Dutch telecommunications company KPN’s biggest investor, America Movil, to acquire its German mobile unit E-Plus.

Family Business Roundup: America Movil, 21st Century Fox, Boehringer Ingelheim, Hutchinson Whampoa

August 22, 2013

America Movil secures funding for KPN, Rupert Murdoch invests in alternative media group, Boehringer Ingelheim breaks ground on animal pharmaceuticals plant in China, and Hutcinson Whampoa receives preliminary bids for supermarket chain.

America Movil
America Movil said it had secured funding for a €7.2 billion bid to further its stake in Dutch telecom company Royal KPN.

Family business roundup: Thornton & Ross, Carlos Slim, L’Oreal and James Packer

August 19, 2013

British pharmaceutical company leaves founding family’s hands, Carlos Slim launches new satellite, L’Oreal bids for Chinese business, and James Packer has high hopes for his gambling empire’s expansion into Japan.

Family Business Roundup: Berjaya Group, NewsCorp, Zalando

August 15, 2013

Malaysia’s Berjaya Group takes next step in the listing of its 7-Eleven franchise, NewsCorp invests in online sports videos and Bestseller next-gen invests in online fashion brand.

Berjaya Group
Family-controlled Berjaya Group has appointed UBS and Maybank Investment Bank, among others, to manage an initial public offering of its 7-Eleven convenience-store franchise.

Family business roundup: Massmart and America Movil

August 12, 2013

Wal-Mart mulls buyout of one of several family-owned supermarkets in Kenya; and America Movil moves to buy remaining shares in Royal KPN.

Massmart
South Africa’s Massmart Holdings, a unit of Wal-Mart, is considering the buyout of one of several family-owned retailers in Kenya, as it tries to make inroads into the African nation.

According to Nairobi-based newspaper Business Daily, Naivas, Tuskys and Nakumatt, the family-owned businesses that dominate the sector, are the main targets for the food and household-goods retailer.

Family business roundup: American Greetings, Wal-Mart and Hero MotoCorp

August 9, 2013

American Greetings Corporation returns to full family ownership, Wal-Mart mulls bid for Hong Kong supermarket chain, and Indian family firm announces expansion plans.

American Greetings Corporation
American Greetings Corporation has returned to private ownership, following a $612 million (€458 million) buyout by the Weiss family – descendants of Jacob Sapirstein who founded the company in 1906.

Family business roundup: Jindal family eye Stemcor assets, America Movil resists KPN deal

July 26, 2013

Jindal family compete for Stemcor's assets, America Movil reluctant to give blessing to KPN deal, Rodale third-gen steps down as president.

Stemcor/ Jindal Group
Two companies from different branches of the family-controlled OP Jindal Group are tussling over the Indian assets of the Oppenheimer family's steel trading company Stemcor.