Alpina Savoie moves to serve Malma a'la Francaise

As recently as 2005, Malma held 19 percent of the Polish pasta market but, struggling under a mountainous zl.150-million debt, it was forced to halt production earlier this year. Alpina's move is designed to keep its chances of acquiring Malma alive after its three takeover bids were rejected by Malma's owner and employees, not least because of concern about Alpina's poor record in Poland so far. Alpina recently bought a small portion of Malma's debt to gain the status of creditor, thus opening the way for the court challenge. Yet even if the court declares Malma bankrupt and puts it on auction, Alpina is bound to face stiff competition, with major players such as Makarony Polskie and Lubella understood to be likely bidders. (Puls Biznesu, p. 11) R.M.