Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital have completed the previously announced $28bn acquisition of American food company HJ Heinz.
The consortium had entered into an agreement on 14 February to acquire Heinz for $28bn, including the assumption of outstanding debt.
Under the terms of the agreement, Heinz shareholders will receive $72.50 in cash for each share of common stock they owned as of the effective time of the merger, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes.
With the completion of the merger, the common stock of Heinz will no longer be listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange and the company expects no further trading following the closure of business on 7 June 2013.
Centerview Partners and BofA Merrill Lynch acted as financial advisers to Heinz. Lazard served as the lead financial adviser, and JP Morgan and Wells Fargo also acted as financial advisers to Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital.
Pittsburgh will be maintained as the food company's global headquarters by the investment consortium. Bernardo Hees has become chief executive officer of Heinz with immediate effect.
HJ Heinz is a global company that produces and markets foods specialising in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. The company reported sales of $2.83bn in the second quarter of fiscal 2013, up from $2.81bn in the previous year.