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KKR and Campbell Soup Company Sign Definitive Agreement for Sale of Arnott’s and Certain Campbell International Operations for $2.2 Billion

August 2, 2019

  • KKR to acquire portfolio that includes iconic Arnott’s biscuits and Campbell’s simple meals and snacking brands in markets including Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, and manufacturing operations in Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia
  • Investment to transition certain Campbell International operations to a standalone company with access to significant capital and operational resources to support long-term growth and innovation

SYDNEY–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Global investment firm KKR and Campbell Soup Company (“Campbell”) today announced the signing of a stock and asset purchase agreement under which KKR will acquire certain international operations from Campbell (“Campbell International”) for an enterprise value of approximately US$2.2 billion.

Campbell International is a high-quality business that includes snacking and meal brands in the Asia Pacific region with leading manufacturing capabilities and distribution channels in attractive core markets. The majority of Campbell International’s sales are generated by Arnott’s, the iconic Australian biscuit brand with over 150 years of heritage. Arnott’s commitment to quality, innovation and manufacturing excellence is a hallmark of the business, alongside its product range of household names including Tim Tam and Shapes. Campbell International also comprises the regional portfolio of Campbell brands spanning soup, stock, juice and ready meals in markets including Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. KKR will also acquire Campbell International’s manufacturing operations in Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Under the terms of the agreement, KKR and Campbell will enter into a long-term licensing arrangement for the exclusive rights to use certain Campbell brands, including Campbell’s, Swanson, V8, Prego, Chunky and Campbell’s Real Stock, in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and other select markets in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

David Lang, Member at KKR, said, “Campbell International represents a unique portfolio of iconic brands that are known and loved by consumers in Australia and across the world. We are privileged and excited to have the opportunity to invest in and grow Arnott’s as an independent business in Australia, in addition to further developing Campbell’s trusted brands across the broader Asian market. This is a milestone investment for KKR, and we look forward to working closely with the Campbell International management team to seek out new and exciting opportunities.”

KKR is making its investment primarily through its Core Investments strategy, which represents capital targeting longer-term opportunities. The Transaction is expected to close within the next six months, subject to customary closing conditions. Further details of the transaction are not disclosed.

KKR was advised by Jefferies, as its financial advisor, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Allens, as its legal counsels.

About Campbell International

Campbell International’s operations include Campbell’s simple meals businesses in Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan, and manufacturing in Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia. The centerpiece of the business is Arnott’s, which Campbell acquired in 1997, and is one of Australia’s most iconic brands. Arnott’s regional headquarters are based in Sydney with operations in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Indonesia. Arnott’s and Campbell International operations (excluding the Kelsen Group) had combined net sales of approximately $885 million in the latest 12 months and employ approximately 3,800 people.

About Campbell Soup Company

Campbell (NYSE:CPB) is driven and inspired by our Purpose, “Real food that matters for life’s moments.” For generations, people have trusted Campbell to provide authentic, flavorful and affordable snacks, soups and simple meals, and beverages. Founded in 1869, Campbell has a heritage of giving back and acting as a good steward of the planet’s natural resources. The company is a member of the Standard and Poor’s 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. For more information, visit www.campbellsoupcompany.com or follow company news on Twitter via @CampbellSoupCo.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate and credit, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns for its fund investors by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside the capital it manages for fund investors and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc (NYSE:KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

Media Contact:
KKR Asia Pacific:
Anita Davis, +852 3602 7335
Anita.Davis@KKR.com
Or
Miles Radcliffe-Trenner (Sard Verbinnen & Co.), +852 3842-2200
KKR-SVC@sardverb.com

KKR Americas
Kristi Huller / Cara Major, +1 212-750-8300
Media@KKR.com

Source: KKR


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Media Contacts

Americas

Kristi Huller
Julia Kosygina
Liidia Liuksila
Telephone: +1 (212) 750-8300

Email: media@kkr.com

EMEA

Annabel Arthur
Miles Radcliffe-Trenner
Julia Leeger
Telephone: +44 20 7839 9800

Email: kkrpr-uk@kkr.com

Asia-Pacific

Wei Jun Ong
Telephone: +852 3602 7335

Email: media@kkr.com

Investor Relations

‍Craig Larson
Telephone: +1 (877) 610-4910
Outside US: +1 (212) 230-9410
Facsimile: +1 (212) 750-0003
Email: Investor-Relations@kkr.com

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This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements pertaining to KKR & Co. Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively “KKR”), including certain investment funds, vehicles and accounts that are managed by KKR (each, a “fund”). Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements are based on KKR’s beliefs, assumptions and expectations of its future performance, taking into account all information currently available to it. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to KKR or are within its control. If a change occurs, KKR’s business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, including but not limited to, assets under management, fee paying assets under management, after-tax distributable earnings, capital invested, syndicated capital, uncalled commitments, cash and short-term investments, fee related earnings, fee and yield segment EBITDA, core interest expense and book value, may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to vary from the forward-looking statements: whether KKR realizes all or any of the anticipated benefits from converting to a corporation and the timing of realizing such benefits; whether there are increased or unforeseen costs associated with the conversion, including any adverse change in tax law; the volatility of the capital markets; the general volatility of the capital markets; failure to realize the benefits of or changes in KKR’s business strategies including the ability to realize the anticipated synergies from acquisitions or strategic partnerships or other transactions; availability, terms and deployment of capital; availability of qualified personnel and expense of recruiting and retaining such personnel; changes in the asset management industry, interest rates or the general economy; underperformance of KKR's investments and decreased ability to raise funds; and the degree and nature of KKR’s competition. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. KKR does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date on which such statements were made except as required by law. In addition, KKR’s business strategy is focused on the long-term and financial results are subject to significant volatility.

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