1 Oct - Groupe Danone is believed to have identified six possible buyers as it bids to sell off its Australasian soft drinks subsidiary Frucor for an estimated A$800 million.
The French company, along with its advisor JP Morgan, has short-listed Kirin Holdings, Coca-Cola Amatil, CCMP, Asahi Breweries, P&N Beverages and Pacific Equity Partners, according to sources.
It is understood the final six were chosen from an initial list of 14.
Frucor operates in both Australia and New Zealand and is best known for its energy drink V. Danone bought the company in 2002 for US$150 million.