Manufacturers: Oberthur's takeover bid on De La Rue
- The banknote manufacturer De La Rue has recently been facing difficulties. Oberthur Technologies proposed a 750 million pounds takeover offer (about 870 million Euros). De La Rue describes this as a "highly preliminary and opportunistic approach" but does not provide any indication as to its success.
- The British world number one has recently had to face a series of production incidents in two English factories. Among these incidents, one was considered the result of internal malicious intent. All in all, they led its CEO to quit.
- Its French rival is one of the world largest card manufacturers.
- This new attempt reminds one of the recently witnessed concentrations in the field of terminal manufacturers with Verifone (and Ingenico – see below). Oberthur was seemingly long trying to grow stronger and make this purchase. The explanation requests it sent to its target proves it fears that this external growth may not last.
- De La Rue's new CEO, Nicholas Brookes, announced they rejected Oberthur's bid, which they considered was under-evaluated. He then explained that De La Rue's commercial activity level could be compared to last year's, except for the (supposedly) lost invitation to tenders in India.