Heinz will lead Polish ketchup market thanks to takeover

CEP-Pudliszki Holdings, a subsidiary of U.S. HJ Heinz, will finalize in a few days the takeover of two food processing companies belonging to Dom Inwestycyjny Kuchnia Polska. The latter will receive Pudliszki shares in return, but their value has not been disclosed. If the deal is approved by the Interior Ministry, the two plants will become part of Pudliszki Holdings, allowing the group to become the leader of the ketchup and instant dinner market segments in Poland. In order to complete the transaction, Pudliszki will raise its capital by over zl.11.8 million, and at least part of the money will be invested in the new acquisitions. "We have to analyze carefully how to spend money and how to divide production among three companies producing the same instant dinner products," said Pudliszki president Wojciech Olejniczak. It is still unknown whether all three brands will remain on the market or whether only Pudliszki will remain. (Puls Biznesu, pp.1, 3) M.M