While Ardagh continues to defend its acquisition of Verallia N America in litigation with the Federal Trade Commision in the USA, the group is restructuring its proposal and looking to sell four plants as a standalone business to a single buyer. Ardagh is currently in negotiations with a number of potential buyers, each of whom is understood to be well capitalised and owns and operates other industrial businesses in the USA. Plants to be included in this standalone business are Ardagh's Jacksonville, Florida and Warner Robins, Georgia facilities and the plants currently operated by VNA at Dolton, IL and Wilson North Caroline. It is suggested that the sale will create a viable competitor for the manufacture and sale of glass containers in the USA, in particular the beer and spirits sectors. The manufacturing sector of the standalone business is equivalent to more than 100% of Ardagh's existing beer business and more than 100% of VNA's existing spirits business.
