Marubeni pegged as Gavilon finalist

Omaha — Major news reports last week had Japan’s largest grain trader, Marubeni Corp., as the finalist to buy U.S.based Gavilon Group LLC for approximately $5 billion,
including debt. Gavilon would allow Marubeni to expand its grain business into the U.S. Even so, sources cautioned that it was not a done deal, and the parties themselves had no comment on the matter. Marubeni issued a statement May 8 acknowledging the reports, but said they do not constitute official announcements by the company. It said no facts related to this matter have been confirmed, and that the company will promptly announce any matters that require disclosure. Other companies reportedly interested in earlier rounds of negotiations included two other Japanese giants, Mitsubishi Corp. and Mitsui & Co., as well as other Asian-based firms, Noble Group and Wilmar International Ltd.