The FINANCIAL — The Kraft Heinz Company is pleased to announce the successful completion of the merger between Kraft and Heinz.
The transaction creates the third-largest food and beverage company in North America and the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world with an unparalleled portfolio of iconic brands. The complementary nature of the two brand portfolios presents substantial opportunity for synergies, which will result in increased investments in marketing and innovation. This historic transaction unites two powerful businesses and iconic brands, and provides a platform for leadership in the food industry both domestically and internationally, according to Heinz.
Management and Governance
As previously announced, The Kraft Heinz Company’s Board of Directors is comprised of the following 11 directors: Alex Behring (who will serve as Chairman of the Board), Gregory Abel, Tracy Britt Cool, Warren Buffett, John T. Cahill (who will serve as Vice Chairman of the Board), L. Kevin Cox, Jeanne P. Jackson, Jorge Paulo Lemann, Mackey J. McDonald, John C. Pope, and Marcel Telles.
Also as previously announced, Bernardo Hees is Chief Executive Officer of The Kraft Heinz Company. The rest of the Kraft Heinz Company senior leadership team was announced on June 29, 2015.
“I am honored and humbled to be the CEO of The Kraft Heinz Company,” said Mr. Hees. “Kraft and Heinz are both world-class organizations with storied pasts and together, an even brighter future.”
KHC
Effective as of the close of trading today, July 2, 2015, Kraft Foods Group, Inc. common shares will cease trading on the NASDAQ. The Kraft Heinz Company common shares will begin trading on the NASDAQ under the trading symbol KHC on Monday, July 6, 2015.
Dividend
On July 31, 2015, The Kraft Heinz Company will pay a cash dividend of $0.55 per share to all stockholders of record at the close of business on July 27, 2015. This dividend will be in lieu of the dividend declared on June 22, 2015, by Kraft to its shareholders of record as of July 27, 2015, the payment of which was conditional on the merger not having closed by that date.
Next Steps
The Company’s immediate focus is on integrating the two businesses and establishing a new organizational structure, while delivering its financial objectives for 2015.
The Kraft Heinz Company remains committed to its hometowns with co-headquarters in Pittsburgh and the Chicago area. The Heinz brand and business will remain headquartered in Pittsburgh and the Kraft brand and business will remain headquartered in the Chicago area.
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