As multi-billion-dollar mergers and acquisitions restructure the industry, Food Engineering's annual Manufacturing Survey explores the impact
Although the total number of food-manufacturing mergers and acquisitions dipped slightly in 2000 for the first time since 1995, the scope and value of major deals has skyrocketed. This past year has been marked by multi-billion-dollar mega mergers not seen since there were Barbarians At The Gate (KKR's notorious $25-billion leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco in 1989). Between June 2000 and June 2001, food mega mergers were announced in almost staccato succession: