16 Nov Atlas Advisors advised Groupe Danone on the sale of DS Waters to Kelso

Excerpt of Press Release by Groupe Danone

Groupe DANONE, the world’s leader in fresh dairy products and bottled water (in volume terms), and #2 in the biscuit market worldwide, announced today it has finalized the sale of DS Waters to investment fund Kelso & Company.

DS Waters was set up in November 2003 by combining the Home and Office Delivery (HOD) business of Groupe DANONE in the U.S. with all operations of Suntory Water Group. The company’s revenues come to nearly USD 800 million.

The agreement with Kelso covers 100% of DS Waters equity and includes the purchase by Groupe DANONE of the interest held by Suntory Limited in DS Waters, in keeping with the terms of the sales option agreed earlier.

For DANONE, final conditions set for the sale of DS Waters will mean booking an additional one-time charge of around EUR 100 million net of tax for the second half of 2005.

Atlas Advisors acted as financial advisor to Groupe Danone in connection with this transaction.

Atlas Advisors is the marketing name for Atlas Advisors, LLC and Atlas Strategic Advisors, LLC. Atlas Strategic Advisors, LLC provides financial advisory services in connection with mergers, acquisitions and other similar transactions. Atlas Strategic Advisors, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Advisors, LLC and a member of the FINRA.

None of the information contained in this release constitutes a recommendation, solicitation or offer by Atlas Strategic Advisors, LLC or its affiliates to buy or sell any securities, futures, options or other financial instruments or provide any investment advice or service.