Danone and Unimilk Finalize Merger Creating the New Leader for Dairy Products in the CIS Area

The new entity, controlled by Danone with a 58% equity interest and in which former shareholders of Unimilk own 42%, is headed by a board of directors.

01 Dec 2010 --- Danone and Unimilk have finalized the merger of their Fresh Dairy Product businesses in Russia and other CIS member countries.

The new entity, controlled by Danone with a 58% equity interest and in which former shareholders of Unimilk own 42%, is headed by a board of directors. Three of its members, including the Chairman, Andrey Beskhmelnitsky, represent Unimilk, and four members, including Bernard Hours and Pierre-André Terisse, represent Danone.

Filip Kegels, previously General Manager of Danone Fresh Dairy Products in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, is in charge of operational management.

An integration committee has been set up to coordinate Danone and Unimilk teams during the integration phase and ensure that business targets are met.

The new entity will be consolidated in Danone financial statements from December 1, 2010.