Ardagh has restructured its proposed acquisition of the Verallia North America (VNA) business. It plans to sell four glass container manufacturing plants as a standalone business to a single buyer. It is in negotiations with a number of potential buyers, each of whom is well capitalised and owns and operates other industrial businesses in the USA. The plants to be included int he standalone business are Ardagh's Jacksonville, FL and Warner Robbins, GA facilities and the plants currently operated by VNA at Dolton, IL, and Wilson, NC. Ardagh said the sale of the standalone business will create a strong, viable competitor for the manufacture and sale of glass containers in the USA, in particular in the beer and spirits sectors. The manufacturing capacity 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.
