Bruce Engler and George Martin Offer M&A Insight in Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

Mergers and acquisitions activity had a slow start last year, following a slew of deals at the end of 2012 due to capital-gains tax increases which took effect in 2013. Despite a relatively slow M&A year both locally and nationally, however, Faegre Baker Daniels was involved in several positive deals in Minnesota. Bruce Engler, Partner and M&A Practice Leader, and George Martin, Partner, spoke with the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reflecting on 2013 and looking ahead to 2014 for M&A.

Martin, who led the FaegreBD deal team representing Hormel Foods Corporation in its acquisition of Skippy® in 2013, said the success of that purchase exceeded expectations. "Hormel's acquisition of Skippy® was a tremendous boost to the company," Martin said. "It enjoyed immediate economic results, and I think the investor community resounded very favorable to the decision."

Engler explained that the Hormel/Skippy® deal benefitted Unilever, the seller, as much as the buyer. "It's a more efficient use of that asset," Engler said. "Unilever just didn't think it was getting a return on that, and it's been a tremendous acquisition for Hormel."

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