H.J. Heinz Co. will buy three top sauce brands from Groupe Danone for $855 million.
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| Heinz’s purchase strengthens its lead in the U.K. |
The purchase includes Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce and HP savory sauce, and a perpetual license to market Amoy Asian sauces in Europe. The three brands have combined worldwide sales of about $300 million, per Heinz; the purchase makes Heinz the leading sauce marketer in the U.K.
Amoy sells in 40 countries and continues to expand beyond its flagship soy sauce with stir-fry sauces and noodles. Heinz’s license enables it to sell products beyond sauce under the Amoy name.
The purchase is expected to close over the next few months. Heinz said in May (after a global strategic review) that it will focus on four core businesses: ketchup, condiments & sauces; meals & snacks; infant nutrition; and foodservice.
Heinz will focus on its large markets, including the U.S., U.K. and Canada, and four developing markets: Russia, Indonesia, China and India.
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