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Case Study

Nestlé-Rowntree (A)

By Peter J. Killing, James C. Ellert and Dana G. Hyde

32 pages

August 1990

Reference: IMD-3-0423

Nestle SA is the world’s largest food company; its acquisition of Rowntree Plc in 1988 was, at L 2.5 billion, the largest-ever foreign takeover of a British company. The case is the first in a three-part case series positioned before, during, and after the acquisition of Rowntree by Nestle, and gives an ‘inside look’ at a major international acquisition. The (A) case includes a note on the world chocolate industry, and ends at the point when Nestle must decide whether to launch a hostile bid for Rowntree. The case is written from Nestle’s point of view, and provides the opportunity to consider the benefit of various acquisition possibilities in the industry. The case also raises questions as to why Rowntree became a takeover target, and as to Nestle’s policy of not making hostile takeovers.

Keywords

Organizational Structure, Chocolate

Settings

Europe
Nestlé
1988

Type

Field Research

Available Languages

English

Related material

Teaching note, Video

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This case study is part of a series

Nestlé-Rowntree (A)
Nestlé-Rowntree (A+B)

1997 ECCH AWARD WINNER (Policy & General Management)

1992 ECCH AWARD RUNNER-UP (Policy & General Management)

1990 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Mergers & Acquisitions)

Best-selling Case Study

This case study is part of a series

Nestlé-Rowntree (A)
Nestlé-Rowntree (A+B)

Nestlé-Rowntree (A+B)

By Peter J. Killing James C. Ellert and Dana G. Hyde
Case reference: IMD-3-0520 ©1989

Summary

The case is a condensed version of the Nestle-Rowntree (A) and (B) cases. It is intended for use by instructors who wish to move directly to the ac...

Reference IMD-3-0520

Organization Nestlé

Industry Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

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