Louis-Dreyfus minority shareholders to be bought out by Margarita Louis-Dreyfus for EUR 900m (translated)
08 NOV 2018
Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, Chairperson of Louis Dreyfus Company Holdings B.V. (LDCH) announced that Akira B.V., the Group’s majority shareholder, has secured the arrangements necessary to buy out the minority shareholders who so desired.
“I am very pleased to have completed this process, reconfirming my commitment to safeguarding the Louis-Dreyfus heritage and shaping its long-term future,” commented Ms. Louis-Dreyfus. “With a stable ownership structure secured, we are well positioned to accelerate the execution of our growth strategy,” she said.
LDCH is the holding company of global merchant and processor of agricultural goods, Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC). “As part of LDC’s long-term strategy, the goal of the past three years has been to refocus the priority on its core business. This goal has been successfully achieved, as we are on track for solid results in 2018 and beyond. Now, we can proceed to the next stage of our long-term vision, which is sustainable growth. We have a highly experienced management team in place and I am fully confident that we can deliver according to expectations,” Ms. Louis-Dreyfus said.
“As we look to implement our ambitious growth plans, I also wish to keep all options open in terms of strategic partnerships, if appropriate for the business, always placing the interest of the company first,” she added.
Margarita Louis-Dreyfus also confirmed that LDC does not intend to depart from its long-standing dividend practice, consisting of a pay-out of up to 50% of net earnings and ad hoc extraordinary dividends related to strategic divestments, subject – as usual - to the needs of the business.
This development was also reported in daily Les Echos, which said that Akira will pay about EUR 900m to acquire 17% of the shares in LDCH. After completion of the deal, Akira will own 97% of the group, the report said.
Link to press release