CAMDEN, NJ & CHARLOTTE, NC—Campbell Soup Company and Snyder’s-Lance announced that the companies have entered into an agreement for Campbell’s to acquire Snyder’s-Lance for $50.00 per share in an all-cash transaction. The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 27 percent to Snyder’s-Lance’s closing stock price on Dec. 13, the last trading day prior to media reports regarding a potential transaction. The acquisition, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, will enable Campbell’s to expand its portfolio of leading snacking brands.
Snyder’s-Lance is a leading snacking company that manufactures and markets snack food throughout the United States. The company’s portfolio includes well-known brands such as Snyder’s of Hanover, Lance, Kettle Brand, KETTLE chips, Cape Cod, Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, Pop Secret, Emerald and Late July. Snyder’s-Lance has leading market positions in its core categories including pretzels, sandwich crackers, kettle chips, deli snacks and organic and natural tortilla chips.
Denise Morrison, Campbell’s president and chief executive officer, said, “The acquisition of Snyder’s-Lance will accelerate Campbell’s strategy and is in line with our purpose, ‘real food that matters for life’s moments.’ It will provide our consumers with an even greater variety of better-for-you snacks. The combination of Snyder’s-Lance brands with Pepperidge Farm, Arnott’s and Kelsen will create a diversified snacking leader, drive sales growth and create value for shareholders. This acquisition will dramatically transform Campbell’s, shifting our center of gravity and further diversifying our portfolio into the faster-growing snacking category. We look forward to welcoming Snyder’s-Lance’s employees and their trusted family of leading brands to our company.”
Brian J. Driscoll, president and chief executive officer of Snyder’s-Lance, said, “Following a thorough review process of strategic options, we believe this transaction maximizes value for our shareholders through an immediate and certain cash premium. The transaction also unlocks the value of our portfolio, reflecting the progress we have made planning and executing our transformation. We are excited to join Campbell’s and to continue to provide great products to our consumers with an uncompromising focus on ingredients, quality and taste.”
Snyder’s-Lance will become part of Campbell’s Global Biscuits and Snacks division, which includes the company’s Pepperidge Farm, Arnott’s and Kelsen businesses, and the simple meals and shelf-stable beverages business in Australia, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The division is led by Luca Mignini, president. The division will combine Snyder’s-Lance’s portfolio with Campbell’s snacking brands including Goldfish crackers, Tim Tam biscuits, Milano cookies and Kjeldsens butter cookies.
Mignini said, “Campbell’s expertise in brand-building, R&D, and supply chain and operations, coupled with Snyder’s-Lance’s well-known portfolio, distribution system and history of strong sales growth, will allow us to create a differentiated, branded snacking business with greater scale. The combined portfolio will be even more relevant to consumers who are increasingly seeking better-for-you snacks.”
Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Snyder’s-Lance has approximately 6,000 employees and operates 13 manufacturing centers throughout the United States and United Kingdom.
Campbell’s hosted a conference call Dec. 18. Access to a replay of the call is available at investor.campbellsoupcompany.com.