GfK Shareholders Accept Acquisition Offer

GfK shareholders have accepted an offer from US-based private equity firm KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) for 18.54 percent of the business. The buy is part of an agreement with majority shareholder GfK Verein to support the group's long-term growth strategy.

First announced in December, KKR's offer is for all outstanding GfK shares, at a price of EUR 43.50 per share, all in cash. The acceptance period for the offer closed yesterday at midnight, and GfK Verein remains the majority shareholder in GfK with 56.46%.

In a statement, Gerhard Hausruckinger (pictured), Speaker of the Management Board and CCO, said: 'We are very pleased that our shareholders accepted the offer from KKR. We now have strong partners at our side to implement our growth strategy quickly and consistently. Together, we will make GfK fit for the future and offer our clients outstanding products and solutions'.

Web site: www.gfk.com .