8-KMaterial AgreementsFinancial EventsRegulation FD+1

Mondelez International, Inc. 8-K Report, Material Agreement (May 7, 2014)

Filed May 7, 2014For Securities:MDLZ

Summary

Mondelēz International, Inc. (MDLZ) announced a significant strategic transaction on May 7, 2014, through an 8-K filing. The company entered into a Global Contribution Agreement (GCA) to combine its wholly-owned coffee business (excluding France) with Acorn Holdings B.V.'s coffee operations to form a new joint venture named Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE). This move represents a strategic divestiture of a substantial portion of Mondelēz's coffee portfolio, aiming to streamline operations and focus on its core snack and confectionery businesses. In conjunction with this transaction, Mondelēz will receive approximately €4 billion in cash and a 49% stake in the new JDE entity, while Acorn will hold the remaining 51% and receive approximately €2.5 billion in cash. The filing also disclosed a significant restructuring program approved by the Board of Directors, involving $3.5 billion in costs and aimed at generating at least $1.5 billion in annualized savings by 2018. These actions signal a major strategic shift for Mondelēz, focusing on cost reduction and portfolio optimization.

Key Highlights

  • 1Mondelēz International is combining its non-French coffee business with Acorn Holdings B.V. to create a new coffee joint venture, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE).
  • 2The company expects to receive approximately €4 billion in cash and a 49% ownership stake in JDE.
  • 3Acorn Holdings B.V. will contribute its coffee business, receive approximately €2.5 billion in cash, and hold a 51% stake in JDE.
  • 4Mondelēz's Asian joint venture partners in the coffee business have been invited to join JDE.
  • 5A new restructuring program has been approved with estimated costs of $3.5 billion, aimed at reducing operating costs.
  • 6The restructuring program is projected to generate at least $1.5 billion in annualized savings by 2018.
  • 7The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and completion of employee consultation requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of the GCA is to combine Mondelēz International's wholly-owned coffee business (outside of France) with Acorn Holdings B.V.'s coffee operations to create a new, independent coffee venture named Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE). This is a strategic move to divest the coffee business and focus on other core segments.

Mondelēz International expects to receive approximately €4 billion in cash upon completion of the transaction. Additionally, the company will retain a 49% ownership stake in the newly formed Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) joint venture.

Mondelēz approved a $3.5 billion restructuring program (comprising $2.5 billion cash and $1.0 billion non-cash costs) aimed at reducing operating costs to best-in-class levels. The program is expected to generate annualized savings of at least $1.5 billion by 2018 and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2018.

The transaction is subject to several closing conditions, including obtaining necessary regulatory approvals and completing required employee information and consultation processes with Works Councils and employee representatives.