The 2012 trend for major cross border merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the UK food and drink industry is set to continue in 2013.
That’s the view of expert Andrew McLean, a partner at law firm Stephenson Harwood, in this exclusive video for FoodManufacture.co.uk
McLean was speaking at Food Manufacture’s annual Business Leaders’ Forum in central London last week, where senior executives met to discuss the major issues affecting the sector.
Private equity
Watch the video to find out what he thinks is making UK food and drink manufacturing firms so attractive to overseas buyers, and whether he thinks there will be a resurgence in private equity activity in 2013.
Last year – which saw the highest amount of M&A activity in the food and drink sector for three years – was driven by a number of major trade deals, largely from overseas buyers.
In addition to iconic British brand Weetabix being snapped up by Chinese conglomerate Bright Food Group , KP Snacks, the maker of Hula Hoops, was bought by German firm Intersnack .
Watch the video to find out what 2013 has in store for M&A activity.
There will be more stories from Food Manufacture’s Business Leaders’ Forum -sponsored by legal firm Stephenson Harwood, business improvement specialist Acumen and recruitment expert Goldteam -later this week.
