Hero Acquires Bledina Infant-Nutrition Licences from Groupe Danone

As part of this transaction Danone and Hero have entered into legal agreements by which Hero will be granted a five-year license to use the Bledina brand in Belgium and the Netherlands.

13/06/08 Hero announced that the European Commission has approved the takeover of the Bledina Infant-Nutrition licences in Belgium and the Netherlands from Groupe Danone.

European Union competition authorities required Groupe Danone to divest the Bledina positions in Belgium and the Netherlands as a condition for its approval of Danone's acquisition of Royal Numico N.V. in November 2007. As part of this transaction Danone and Hero have entered into legal agreements by which Hero will be granted a five-year licence to use the Bledina brand in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Stefan F. Heidenreich, Hero's CEO commented: "Bledina is a strong #2 position in Belgium. This transaction represents another important step in Hero's continuing development as an international infant-nutrition player.