The Kraft–Heinz merger: Overview of Heinz
Kraft’s (KRFT) and Heinz’s portfolio of brands are highly complementary, which is a big reason for the Kraft–Heinz merger.
April 9 2015, Updated 1:55 p.m. ET
Heinz is a major multinational food company
The H. J. Heinz Company manufactures and markets an extensive line of food products throughout the world. The company’s principal products include ketchup, condiments and sauces, frozen food, soups, beans, pasta meals, infant nutrition, and other food products.
Heinz was taken over in 2013 by a consortium led by Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) and 3G Capital. Kraft’s (KRFT) and Heinz’s portfolios of brands are highly complementary, which is a big reason for the Kraft–Heinz merger.
Heinz products
Heinz divides its operations by geography. Here are the brand names by segment—quoted from the company’s 10-K filing. Please note that asterisks indicate lines where Heinz is licensing the brand name.
- North America: Heinz, Classico, Quality Chef Foods, Jack Daniel’s*, Catelli*, Wyler’s, Heinz Bell ’Orto, Bella Rossa, Chef Francisco, Ore-Ida, Tater Tots, Bagel Bites, Weight Watchers* Smart Ones, Poppers, T.G.I. Friday’s*, Delimex, Truesoups, Escalon, PPI, Todd’s, Nancy’s, Lea & Perrins, Renee’s Gourmet, HP, Diana, Bravo, Arthur’s Fresh
- Europe: Heinz, Orlando, Karvan Cevitam, Brinta, Roosvicee, Venz, Weight Watchers*, Farley’s, Plasmon, Nipiol, Dieterba, Bi-Aglut, Aproten, Pudliszki, Ross, Honig, De Ruijter, Aunt Bessie*, Mum’s Own, Moya Semya, Picador, Derevenskoye, Lea & Perrins, HP, Amoy*, Daddies, Squeezme!, Wyko, Benedicta
- Asia / Pacific: Heinz, Tom Piper, Wattie’s, ABC, Chef, Craig’s, Winna, Hellaby, Hamper, Farley’s, Greenseas, Gourmet, Nurture, Ore-Ida, SinSin, Lea & Perrins, HP, Classico, Weight Watchers*, Cottee’s, Rose’s*, Complan, Glucon D, Nycil, Golden Circle, La Bonne Cuisine, Original Juice Co., The Good Taste Company, Master, Guanghe
- Rest of World: Heinz, Wellington’s, Today, Mama’s, John West, Farley’s, Complan, HP, Lea & Perrins, Classico, Banquete, Wattie’s, Quero
Merger arbitrage resources
Other important merger spreads include the deal between Time Warner Cable (TWC) and Comcast (CMCSA) as well as the merger between Pharmacyclics (PCYC) and AbbVie (ABBV). For a primer on risk arbitrage investing, read Merger arbitrage must-knows: A key guide for investors.
Investors who are interested in trading in the consumer discretionary sector should look at the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) or the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (KXI).