DEERFIELD, ILL. — Mondelēz International, Inc. and D.E Master Blenders 1753 B.V. have finalized the combination of their respective coffee businesses to create Jacobs Douwe Egberts (J.D.E.), the world’s leading pure-play coffee company with annual revenues of more than €5 billion ($5.5 billion).
Upon closing, Mondelēz received cash of approximately €3.8 billion ($4.2 billion) and a 44% interest in the new joint venture. Acorn Holdings B.V. (A.H.B.V.), which owns Amsterdam-based D.E. Master Blenders 1753, will have a 56% share in J.D.E.
The new company will be based in The Netherlands and hold a leading market position in 18 countries with a strong presence in emerging markets. The joint venture’s portfolio of brands includes Jacobs, Tassimo, Moccona, Senseo, L’OR, Douwe Egberts, Kenco, Pilao and Gevalia.
The cash-and-equity consideration paid to Mondelēz was reduced from previous estimates to reflect the Deerfield-based company retaining its interest in its Korea joint venture, Dongsuh Foods Corp.
With the deal closed, the maker of Oreo cookies and Ritz crackers becomes a more snack-focused company, with approximately 85% of net revenues from biscuits, chocolate, gum and candy. By retaining a significant stake in J.D.E., Mondelēz may continue to benefit from growth of the coffee category.
The companies first agreed to combine their businesses in May 2014, but the transaction hit a snag in December when the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether the joint venture was in line with the E.U. Merger Regulation. The E.C. granted its approval of the transaction after J.D.E. agreed to divest the Carte Noire brand throughout the European Economic Area, the Merrild brand in Denmark and the Baltics, and licensing of the Senseo brand to a third party in Austria.