Mergers & Acquisitions

On Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, Scottish & Newcastle plc (S&N) accepted a $15.5 billion takeover bid from the boards of Sunrise Acquisitions Limited.

The Alberto-Culver Company appoints Gina Boswell to the position of president of global brands. Reporting to V. James Marino, president and chief executive officer, Boswell will oversee global brands such as Alberto V05, TRESemme, St. Ives and Nexxus, research and development, and consumer insights.

Diageo and the Nolet family will form a new 50/50 company, which will own the perpetual exclusive global rights to sell, market and distribute the successful super-premium Ketel One vodka.

James R. Ridings has informed Craftmade International Inc.'s Board of Directors that he will retire as the company's chief executive officer, effective June 30, 2008.

The Coca-Cola Company and Honest Tea Inc. have completed an agreement resulting in Coca-Cola holding approximately 40 percent interest in the fast-growing maker of certified organic beverages, including the best-selling Honest Tea

NexCen Brands Inc. has acquired the Great American Cookie Company from Mrs. Fields Famous Brands LLC for $93.7 million, which consists of approximately $89 million of cash and NexCen common stock valued at approximately $4.7 million.

Reckitt Benckiser Group plc successfully completed its acquisition of Adams Respiratory Therapeutics Inc. through a cash tender offer followed by a short- form merger of its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Twickenham Inc., with and into Adams.

Dassault Systemes (DS), a provider of 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, forms a business alliance agreement with Integware Inc., a PLM services and solutions provider for the life sciences and consumer packaged goods markets