The six-month battle to secure the goose that lays the golden crème egg (sorry) of Cadbury’s is now over, and the winner is Kraft. This comes after many derisory verbal comments in the press from Cadbury’s, and other suitors like Hershey’s, which have been sniffing around the table also trying to win the proverbial hand of the lady.
What this means for British jobs is uncertain. Kraft has said that it aims to keep the thousands of Cadbury’s employees, but cut jobs at the Uxbridge headquarters. This new partnership will amount to over $50 billion in annual sales for Kraft which will now boast the fabled crème egg and Trident gum amongst its confectionary arsenal. But, what I’m wondering is how this will play out culturally? How does the Oreo cookie and processed cheese sit alongside the priggish chocolates of Cadbury’s?
Already, there have been snide comments from the chocolate snob quarters. The Cadbury family have reacted with “horror” that the “plastic cheese company” has put an end to two hundred years of independent Cadbury history. The great granddaughter of George Cadbury, Felicity Loudon, has lambasted the partnership saying, “They will cut corners, they will sell out. To me they are a plastic cheese company and this is the jewel in the crown.” Ouch. Others, including Cadbury’s chairman and many business analysts, believe the offer is an excellent result for shareholders who will receive 840 pence a share, 500 pence in cash, and the rest in shares.
It’s true that Kraft will have to generate money to deal with its debt of acquisition, and that will mean cost cuts, but nevertheless the investors and shareholders have spoken. As for the ‘quality’ of Cadbury’s vs. Kraft? After living in the UK for half my life, as an American, I can say, without reservation or a hint of jingoism, that dairy milk, crème eggs, and Cadbury’s flake are RUBBISH!
If you want real chocolate, get it from Belgium. End of discussion.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Like Chocolate And Cheese
What this means for British jobs is uncertain. Kraft has said that it aims to keep the thousands of Cadbury’s employees, but cut jobs at the Uxbridge headquarters. This new partnership will amount to over $50 billion in annual sales for Kraft which will now boast the fabled crème egg and Trident gum amongst its confectionary arsenal. But, what I’m wondering is how this will play out culturally? How does the Oreo cookie and processed cheese sit alongside the priggish chocolates of Cadbury’s?
Already, there have been snide comments from the chocolate snob quarters. The Cadbury family have reacted with “horror” that the “plastic cheese company” has put an end to two hundred years of independent Cadbury history. The great granddaughter of George Cadbury, Felicity Loudon, has lambasted the partnership saying, “They will cut corners, they will sell out. To me they are a plastic cheese company and this is the jewel in the crown.” Ouch. Others, including Cadbury’s chairman and many business analysts, believe the offer is an excellent result for shareholders who will receive 840 pence a share, 500 pence in cash, and the rest in shares.
It’s true that Kraft will have to generate money to deal with its debt of acquisition, and that will mean cost cuts, but nevertheless the investors and shareholders have spoken. As for the ‘quality’ of Cadbury’s vs. Kraft? After living in the UK for half my life, as an American, I can say, without reservation or a hint of jingoism, that dairy milk, crème eggs, and Cadbury’s flake are RUBBISH!
If you want real chocolate, get it from Belgium. End of discussion.
Share this:
Like this:
Leave a Comment
Filed under Business, Business Commentary, Food and Beverage
Tagged as Business, Cadbury, Felicity Loudon, George Cadbury, Hershey, Kraft, partnership, Trident, UK