Partner Article

SSL to change hands

THE multinational firm behind Durex condoms, which employs around 250 people at its County Durham factory, is set to be sold for £2.54bn.

Durex-to-Scholl footcare firm SSL International is reportedly set to be snapped up by Reckitt Benckiser - the firm behind Cillit Bang cleaner and Finish dishwasher tablets.

Reckitt Benckiser, whose other brands include Nurofen and Gaviscon, said the purchase would offer a “step change” in its health division.

It added the deal would boost its business in China and Japan.

Anglo-Dutch group Reckitt will pay 1163 pence per share for SSL under the agreed takeover deal - and will also pay a final dividend due for SSL investors.

SSL employs about 10,000 people worldwide. In the UK it has headquarters in London and manufacturing bases in Manchester, Peterlee in County Durham, and Redruth in Cornwall.

It has operations in more than 30 countries - and manufactures goods in China, India and Thailand as well as the UK.

Slough-based Reckitt employs almost 25,000 people globally. Its other well-known brands include Strepsils, Vanish and Dettol.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .