France-based MW Brands, owner of John West , Petite Navire, Hyacinthe Parmentier and Mareblu, reportedly is seeking $609 million (€491 million), according to media reports last month.
Because the company is well-run, the private equity firm that owns MW Brands -- Trllantic Capital Partners -- is seeking to sell it at a premium price, and that is keeping the big tuna companies from jumping in, although some remain interested, the tuna executive, speaking on background, told IntraFish.
“Thai Union is taking a hard look at it, but the value they [MW] are looking for is more than Thai Union wants to pay,” the executive said, adding Thai Union doesn’t have great synergies with John West, since tuna coming through Thailand is subject to a 24 percent duty in the European Union.
Thai
