General Mills Completes Yoplait Acquisition

General Mills announces the completion of its acquisition of a 51 percent controlling interest in Yoplait S.A.S., and a 50 percent interest in a related entity that holds the worldwide Yoplait brands, from PAI Partners and Sodiaal in a transaction valued at approximately $1.2 billion. The remaining ownership stakes in both entities will continue to be held by Sodiaal, France’s leading dairy cooperative.

 

“Yoplait is a fantastic global brand with tremendous potential,” says Ken Powell, chairman and CEO, General Mills. “General Mills and Sodiaal are well-positioned to advance and grow the Yoplait brand around the world. It is an exciting combination. ”

 

Headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, Yoplait is the second-largest brand in the global yogurt market. The business will be governed by a supervisory board with representation from General Mills and Sodiaal. Chris O’Leary, General Mills’ executive vice president and chief operating officer, International, will have management oversight responsibility for General Mills, with Lucien Fa continuing as Yoplait’s executive chairman.

 

General Mills has licensed the Yoplait brand from Yoplait since 1977, and operates the Yoplait business in the United States. Today, General Mills’ Yoplait USA business holds the No. 1 brand position in the U.S. yogurt category.