Breaking news

Mars Buys The Maker Of Pringles In A Mega Deal For $36 Billion

The family-owned giant Mars, whose portfolio includes the popular chocolate desserts Twix, Snickers and M&M’s chocolate candies, is acquiring Pringles maker Kellanova. The deal will be completed in the first half of 2025.

KEY FACTS 

  • The deal is valued at nearly $36 billion and will bring together under one roof popular consumer brands including Mars’ Twix, Bounty and Milky Way chocolates, as well as Kellanova’s portfolio of Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies Treats and Eggo frozen waffles.
  • This is the largest deal in the packaged food sector and will allow Mars to diversify its business by expanding its operations. Kellanova manufactures products in 21 countries and markets them in over 180 countries. 
  • Mars will pay $83.50 per share for Kellanova, which represents about a 33% premium to Kellanova’s closing price on Aug. 2. Kellanova shares rose as much as $80.45 in premarket trading. 
  • According to the calculations of the “Reuters” agency, the value of the company’s shares is 28.58 billion dollars.
  • The deal comes at a time when growth in the U.S. packaged food sector is slowing due to inflation and the incomes of consumers who prefer cheaper products.
  • The acquisition is not expected to face too many regulatory hurdles. The acquisition will test regulators’ willingness to allow consolidation in the packaged foods sector.

THE BIG NUMBER

47 billion dollars. This is the size of the annual turnover of Mars. The family-owned company is based in Virginia and began selling buttercream candies from a small kitchen in 1911.

UAE Job Trends For 2025: High-Demand And Lucrative Roles Revealed

The UAE’s flourishing asset management sector, bolstered by rising investor interest, regulatory advancements, and a surge in Family Offices and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), is driving demand for banking and finance talent.

Roles in fundraising and institutional sales are particularly sought after, with professionals in these fields highly valued for their regional networks and industry expertise, according to Michael Page’s UAE 2025 Salary Guides. The comprehensive report, which includes insights from 17 industries, offers an overview of current hiring trends, salary benchmarks, and the recruitment challenges businesses face.

Banking And Finance In High Demand

The report highlights a significant need for compliance professionals, especially those with experience in Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) regulations. Chief Compliance Officers and Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs) are among the most lucrative roles in the sector. Jon Ede, Regional Director UAE at Michael Page, pointed out that in 2024, the UAE’s workforce grew by 9%, and the number of new companies increased by 14.5%, showing the success of the nation’s strategic initiatives.

Sales, Marketing, And IT Growth

The sales and marketing sector has seen steady growth, especially in B2B industries like technology, real estate, energy, and logistics. Roles such as Business Development Manager, Chief Commercial Officer, and Strategic Sales Director are in demand, with a premium placed on business development, key account management, and communication skills.

The IT sector, meanwhile, continues to evolve rapidly, with high demand for positions like Head of Software Development, Full-Stack Software Engineer, Agile Product Manager, Senior DevOps Engineer, and Digital Adoption Specialist. The report underscores the significant shift in the UAE talent market for digital professionals in recent years.

Navigating The Skills Shortage

The study also highlights the growing skills shortage, with businesses grappling to find candidates with the right expertise. A staggering 37% of business leaders reported challenges in finding skilled talent, while nearly a third (30%) struggled with employee retention. Nearly half (48%) of employers also cited aligning salary expectations with candidates as a key obstacle.

Ede suggests that businesses can overcome these challenges by offering competitive packages that include benefits, career development opportunities, and workplace incentives, positioning themselves as attractive employers in the competitive UAE job market.

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