(Reuters) – J M Smucker, the maker of Folgers coffee, said it would buy pet food maker Big Heart Pet Brands, known for brands such as Meow Mix and Milk-Bone, for $3.2 billion to enter the pet food market.
Smucker said it would offer about 17.9 million shares to Big Heart’s shareholders and pay $1.3 billion in cash.
Big Heart, formerly Del Monte Corp, changed its name following the sale of its fruit, vegetable, and other consumer foods business in February last year.
San Francisco-based Big Heart is jointly owned by private equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co LP, Vestar Capital Partners, Centerview Capital and AlpInvest Partners Inc.
Smucker (SJM) said it would assume about $2.6 billion of net debt of Big Heart, bringing the total deal value to about $5.8 billion.
Smucker said it expects to incur about $225 million in one-time costs related to the transaction. The transaction is expected to close by April.
