M&A Deal Summary

The Invus Group Acquires WW International

On July 23, 1999, private equity firm The Invus Group acquired consumer services company WW International from Heinz for 735M USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is The Invus Group’s 1st transaction in the Consumer Services sector.
  • This is The Invus Group’s largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is The Invus Group’s 1st transaction in the United States.
  • This is The Invus Group’s 1st transaction in New York.
Investment Fate
  • WW International went public in 2001.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 1999-07-23
Target WW International
Sector Consumer Services
Buyer(s) The Invus Group
Sellers(s) Heinz
Deal Type Divestiture
Deal Value 735M USD

Target

WW International

New York, New York, United States
Weight Watchers location in Atlanta, Georgia.
Weight Watchers location in Atlanta, Georgia.
WW International is a commercial provider of weight management services, operating globally through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. WW International was founded in 1961 and is based in New York, New York.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

The Invus Group

New York, New York, United States

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1985
PE ASSETS 10.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

The Invus Group is a private, global investment firm that makes equity investments in private and public companies. For private companies, Invus seeks control as well as minority investments in high-growth companies where the firm can add strategic value. For public companies, Invus looks to invest in small to mid-cap stocks that are trading below the firm's assessment of their intrinsic business value. Areas of interest include consumer products and services, food, specialty retail, software, biotech, medical devices and products and services to professionals. Invus typically targets investments in the US, Europe, and Asia. The Invus Group was formed in 1985 and is based in New York City.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 2 of 9
Sector (Consumer Services) 1 of 1
Type (Divestiture) 1 of 1
State (New York) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 1 of 8
Year (1999) 1 of 1
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 2
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
1998-01-01 Odontoprev

Barueri, Brazil

Odontoprev develops, operates, manages, and sells dental care plans in Latin America. Odontoprev offers pre-paid dental plans, which cover its member's dental care costs, including treatments and long-term management of their oral health and costs relating to the administration of such plans; and post-paid dental plans, which provide actuarial risks of the contract and the costs of the services. Odontoprev was founded in 1987 and is based in Barueri, Brazil.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2001-09-29 WW International

New York, New York, United States

WW International is a commercial provider of weight management services, operating globally through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. WW International was founded in 1961 and is based in New York, New York.

Sell -

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

Heinz

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Category Company
Founded 1869
Sector Food
Employees32,200
Revenue 11.6B USD (2012)
DESCRIPTION
Heinz headquarters at One PPG Place in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Heinz headquarters at One PPG Place in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Heinz is a condiments and food processing company. The company was formed in 1869 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 2 of 8
Sector (Consumer Services) 1 of 1
Type (Divestiture) 2 of 7
State (New York) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 2 of 6
Year (1999) 1 of 1
Size (of disclosed) 2 of 2
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
1998-08-10 Milnot Holding

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Milnot produces leading regional branded food products and private-label food products for national distribution. Milnot owns and markets the Beech-Nut brand of baby food.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2001-06-01 Ethnic Gourmet Foods

Boulder, Colorado, United States

Ethnic Gourmet Foods, Inc. is a manufacturer of frozen natural ethnic food. EGF manufactures frozen entrees and pizzas and shelf-stable grocery products under three brand names: Taj Gourmet, Thai Chef, and Bravissimo!.

Buy -