Ahold Reported to Agree to Delhaize-appointed Head, If Merger Happens
AMSTERDAM -- Royal Ahold NV here would potentially have a c.e.o. appointed by Brussels-based Delhaize Group, if the two companies agree to a merger. Also, the sale of Ahold’s U.S. operations is still on the table, according to published reports in Europe.
Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad, citing sources familiar with the continuing merger discussions, added that Ahold would also accept Brussels as the merged companies' headquarters, and that the two companies have also given the okay to a new organizational model.
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The financial details of the proposed deal are apparently the main barrier to a merger, though, as Delhaize is said to want a merger of equals, in spite of the fact that Ahold is twice as large as Delhaize, the newspaper said. For that reason, the two conglomerates are thinking about offering a one-time 'super dividend' financed by the sale of some of Ahold's U.S. operations.
Despite such progress, the merger is by no means a done deal, however, the newspaper's sources cautioned.
Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad, citing sources familiar with the continuing merger discussions, added that Ahold would also accept Brussels as the merged companies' headquarters, and that the two companies have also given the okay to a new organizational model.
(Story continues below.)
The financial details of the proposed deal are apparently the main barrier to a merger, though, as Delhaize is said to want a merger of equals, in spite of the fact that Ahold is twice as large as Delhaize, the newspaper said. For that reason, the two conglomerates are thinking about offering a one-time 'super dividend' financed by the sale of some of Ahold's U.S. operations.
Despite such progress, the merger is by no means a done deal, however, the newspaper's sources cautioned.