Rumours are being more and more reported than Danone Group would be acquired by Pepsico. We will know in the future if this is just a rumour. But what makes me crazy already is that the french government declares himself preoccupied by this potential operation and even wonders if they can prevent it. What the hell do they think they are doing? Danone is a privte company and is playing by the rules of the market. If someone wants to buy them respecting the rules and applications of the market (monopoly,…) why the french government should get involved in that? Why France should be an exception to what happens everyday? Let me guess ? Because we are better than these americans? Because France must stay French? Don t you understand that this could be a great opportunity for Danone and France?
I would like to remind a few simple facts to the french government:
- Danone is not so french as you think, its capital, privately is mostly owned by hedge fund, most of them are foreigners…
- Just for the sake of it, Danone is originally spanish, more precisely from Barcelona, a few years later after its creation, BSN, a glass company looking for diversification, aquired Danone (a diminutive name of Daniel the son of the founder)
- Most activities, subsidiaries of Danone group are not located in France. most of its brands are not french or at least international. Just for the anecdot, even some advertising you see in France are created abroad (in Israel or the US for example)
- By “protecting” Danone from the “terrible” american you will not avoid that this company is already behaving like most american companies: closing factories (LU episode), delocalizing production, firing people…(that the french government never stops btw)
Actually if Danone was only or mostly french, it would have disappeared a long time ago. So Mr Chirac what is it exactly you are defending here?
[update 22 july : France Telecom is buying the spanish mobile operator AMENA, no comment in the French Political class]
Comments