$1.62 billion transaction included several well-known cheese brands
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP has advised its long-time client, Parmalat Canada and parent company Lactalis Group, in its acquisition of Kraft Heinz Canada’s natural cheese business.
The $1.62 billion transaction, which includes well-known brands such as Cracker Barrel, P’tit Québec and aMooza!, signifies a significant investment by the Lactalis Group in the Canadian dairy industry, a statement from the law firm said. Parmalat Canada’s business currently has 3,000 employees, 16 dairy processing plants and a dedicated research and development facility.
Numerous Norton Rose Fulbright lawyers, mostly from its Toronto office, participated in the transaction. It was led by Walied Soliman, global and Canadian chair of Norton Rose Fulbright, and Paul Fitzgerald, partner. The Toronto-based team included Bruce Sheiner, Trevor Zeyl, Joseph Palmieri (corporate, M&A and securities); Barry Segal (tax); Kevin Ackhurst, Michael Brown (Investment Canada and competition/antitrust); Eric Reither (commercial); Jung-Kay Chiu (intellectual property); Michael Lieberman (real estate); Lisa Cabel, Ryan Freeman (employment and labour); and Janet Bobechko (environmental). Members from other offices included Martin Masse (lead, competition/antitrust, Ottawa) and Erika Woolgar (competition/antitrust, Ottawa), and Martin Rochette (pensions and benefits, Quebec City).
Meanwhile, Andrea D’Ambra (New York), Florinda Baldridge (Houston) and Sam Sessler (Dallas) of Norton Rose Fulbright’s global e-discovery services team supported Parmalat Canada and its parent, Lactalis Group, in responding to extensive information requests from the Canadian Competition Bureau.
“Parmalat has had a presence in the Canadian food and dairy industry for nearly 140 years and we were pleased to help build upon that tremendous foundation by acting as counsel on this transaction,” said Soliman. “We extend our congratulations to Parmalat and its parent, Lactalis Group, for the successful expansion of its business.”
