Berkshire Hathaway Inc. announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Procter and Gamble whereby it will acquire the Duracell battery business from Procter & Gamble. Pursuant to the agreement, in exchange for a recapitalised Duracell Company, which will include approximately US$1.7bn in cash at closing, P&G will receive shares of P&G’s common stock currently held by Berkshire Hathaway having a current value of approximately US$4.7 bn. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2015 and is subject to obtaining various regulatory approvals as well as certain other customary closing conditions.
“I have always been impressed by Duracell, as a consumer and as a long-term investor in P&G and Gillette,” commented Warren E. Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway chief executive officer. “Duracell is a leading global brand with top quality products, and it will fit well within Berkshire Hathaway.”
“We thank the Duracell employees for their many contributions to the business. They’ve made Duracell the global market leader in the battery category,” said A.G. Lafley, P&G chief executive officer. “I’m confident this new ownership structure will provide strong support for Duracell’s future growth plans.”
