PE Firms, Asahi Group In $1.2B Deal Talks

Private equity firms Unitas and Pacific Equity Partners are in discussions to sell New Zealand beverages group Independent Liquor to Japan’s Asahi Group Holdings.

Private equity firms Unitas and Pacific Equity Partners are in discussions to sell New Zealand beverages group Independent Liquor to Japan’s Asahi Group Holdings, Reuters reports. The deal is expected to value Independent Liquor at about $1.2 billion. China’s Bright Food Group was also considered a possible buyer for the beverage company. UBS was appointed by the private equity firms to find strategic partners for the business earlier in 2011. The firms bought Independent Liquor in 2006 for more than $1 billion.

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