Waterford Wedgwood - Deal Close - According To Reports

According to The Times, 21 February, Waterford Wedgwood is set to be sold to a US private equity fund for an undisclosed sum. Administrators Deloitte were in discussions with KPS Capital Partners, with an announcement expected on 21 February 2009, the paper said. Citing a source close to the deal, it said KPS and Deloitte were close to signing a US-style "binding agreement to sell", which means the sale is all but complete, subject to a month's due diligence. Waterford Wedgwood, which owns Waterford Crystal, Wedgwood, Royal Doulton and Rosenthal, has about 8,000 employees worldwide.