A2 to double holdings in Synlait Milk

AUCKLAND: a2 Milk will buy another 8.2% of Synlait Milk, doubling its stake in the company.

The milk marketing firm will buy the shares at $10.90 apiece, down 2.3% from the NZX one month volume weighted average price of $11.16, for a total of $161.8 million.

The shares will come from Tokyolisted Mitsui & Co, a general trading company which invests across sectors and bought 8.4% of Synlait at the company’s initial public offering in 2013.

a2 already held 8.2% of Synlait, which it bought from Dutch dairy processor Royal FrieslandCampina in March 2017, building on the existing supply agreement between the milk marketer and dairy processor.

Last month, the companies agreed to extend their infant formula supply deal and increase the volume of formula Synlait will supply as the two continue to focus on sales in the lucrative Chinese market.

‘‘This investment in Synlait is consistent with the a2 Milk Company’s commitment to longterm supply arrangements with highquality partners such as Synlait Milk and Fonterra Cooperative Group,’’ a2’s managing director Jayne Hrdlicka, who took over the role on July 16, said in a statement.

‘‘This supply agreement will continue to be the cornerstone of the commercial relationship between the two parties. a2 has no plans to further increase its shareholding in Synlait,’’ she said.

Synlait’s shares recently traded at $11.07, up 3.5% and have gained 49% this year. a2 shares rose 1.2% to $10.56. — BusinessDesk