Campbell Soup Company and Snyder’s-Lance announced that the companies have entered into an agreement for Campbell to acquire Snyder’s-Lance for $50.00 per share in an all-cash transaction. The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 27% to Snyder’s-Lance’s closing stock price on Dec. 13, 2017, the last trading day prior to media reports regarding a potential transaction. The acquisition, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, will enable Campbell to expand its portfolio of leading snacking brands.

Snyder’s-Lance is a leading snacking company that manufactures and markets snack food throughout the United States. The company’s portfolio includes well-known brands such as Snyder’s of Hanover, Lance, Kettle Brand, KETTLE chips, Cape Cod, Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, Pop Secret, Emerald and Late July. Snyder’s-Lance has leading market positions in its core categories including pretzels, sandwich crackers, kettle chips, deli snacks and organic and natural tortilla chips.

Acquisition and Snyder’s-Lance Highlights:

• Combines the strengths of both organizations to drive sales growth and expand Campbell’s footprint in the $89 billion US snacking market, which had a three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly three%.
• Snyder’s-Lance reported $2.2 billion in net sales for the trailing 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2017
• From calendar 2012-2016, Snyder’s-Lance net sales grew at an 11.5% CAGR; organic net sales outpaced category growth with a 4% CAGR

The acquisition of Snyder’s-Lance will accelerate Campbell’s access to faster-growing distribution channels including the convenience and natural channels.

Strengthening Campbell’s Portfolio in Faster-Growing Categories

Denise Morrison, Campbell’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The acquisition of Snyder’s-Lance will accelerate Campbell’s strategy and is in line with our Purpose, ‘real food that matters for life’s moments.’ It will provide our consumers with an even greater variety of better-for-you snacks. The combination of Snyder’s-Lance brands with Pepperidge Farm, Arnott’s and Kelsen will create a diversified snacking leader, drive sales growth and create value for shareholders. This acquisition will dramatically transform Campbell, shifting our center of gravity and further diversifying our portfolio into the faster-growing snacking category. We look forward to welcoming Snyder’s-Lance’s employees and their trusted family of leading brands to our company.”

Campbell’s baked snacks product portfolio generated approximately $2.5 billion in net sales in fiscal 2017. With the addition of Snyder’s-Lance’s complementary portfolio, snacking would represent approximately 46% of Campbell’s annual net sales (previously 31%) on a pro forma basis. Campbell’s soup portfolio, including the recent acquisition of Pacific Foods, would represent approximately 27% of the company’s annual net sales.

Brian J. Driscoll, President and Chief Executive Officer of Snyder’s-Lance, said, “Following a thorough review process of strategic options, we believe this transaction maximizes value for our shareholders through an immediate and certain cash premium. The transaction also unlocks the value of our portfolio, reflecting the progress we have made planning and executing our transformation. We are excited to join Campbell and to continue to provide great products to our consumers with an uncompromising focus on ingredients, quality and taste.”