Mars and Buffett bid $23bn for Wrigley.

Mars, the world's largest chocolate maker, and the investor Warren Buffett confirmed on 28th April 2008 that they would pay $23 billion (£11.5 billion) cash for Wrigley in an agreed deal with America's largest chewing-gum maker. A combined Mars-Wrigley entity would overtake Cadbury Schweppes as the world's biggest confectionery company.
Shares in Wrigley rose 23.5 per cent to $77.13 after the $80-a-share cash deal was announced.
Mars is offering a substantial premium for Wm Wrigley Jr, which had a stock market value of about $17.3 billion at Friday's $62.45 closing price. The offer price represents a 28.1 per cent premium. Under the terms of the agreement, Wrigley will become a standalone subsidiary of Mars.
Berkshire Hathaway, Mr Buffett's investment vehicle, has agreed to provide financing to Mars for the deal alongside Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, and will take a minority equity stake in the Wrigley subsidiary. Mr Buffett is well-known for his preference for strong consumer brands; however, he usually embarks on acquisitions without a partner.
Analysts said that if the deal went ahead, Mars would be the biggest player in the global confectionery industry with a market share of 14.4 per cent, overtaking Cadbury's 10.1 per cent.

The Tatas

The center of attraction for January 2008 in automobile sector, surely, would be Tata Motors. The company is inching closer and closer to bag the two iconic brands, Jaguar and Land Rover.
Secondly, the most eagerly awaited One Lakh car would be displayed in Delhi Auto Expo on 10th January. The car is believed to be Chairman of Tata Group, Mr. Ratan Tata's dream project.

Last year, Tata group was again in news, when Tata Steel announced to acquire Corus Steel. Though it all started with a friendly bid, went on to finish with a hostile takeover.

Surely, Tatas have drawn a road map for each of its companies to go global, and things are unfolding slowly but steadly.