Mattel, the Barbie manufacturer, is a popular takeover candidate
Mattel, the US toy manufacturer, is reportedly coveted. L Catterton, the investment firm with Bernard Arnault, the LVMH major shareholder, behind it, has signaled interest in an acquisition to insiders. This puts Hasbro under pressure.
According to insiders, the American-French investment firm L Catterton has signaled interest in acquiring the US toy giant Mattel. Hasbro, Mattel's rival, has also taken notice of L Catterton's interest and is now considering whether to present a competing acquisition offer for the "Barbie" manufacturer, one of the insiders said. However, it's unclear if Mattel will enter into negotiations.
There have already been several failed attempts at a merger between Mattel and Hasbro. Mattel's stock jumped by more than five percent. The company, best known for its "Barbie" dolls, is valued at over five billion dollars on the stock exchange.
Behind L Catterton is the French billionaire and LVMH major shareholder Bernard Arnault. In Germany, the investor is best known as the majority shareholder of Birkenstock, the cork sandal manufacturer. Birkenstock has indirect connections to Mattel: Last year, Birkenstock placed its sandals in the "Barbie" film and significantly increased its recognition in the US just before its New York stock market debut.
Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz emphasized last year that the "Barbie" film had become a "cultural phenomenon." He wants to transform Mattel from a toy manufacturer into an entertainment company. More than a dozen other films around Mattel toys have already been announced - for example, about Hot Wheels cars and Polly Pocket figures.
"We're not claiming that every film will be as successful as 'Barbie,'" Kreiz said on the US business network CNBC. "But we'll approach them with the same strategies. With 'Barbie,' Mattel gave the filmmaker Greta Gerwig free rein to tell a feminist story - and had no problem with a lot of laughs at the expense of the company's board in the film."
The potential acquisition of Mattel by L Catterton could have significant implications for the toy industry, potentially leading to mergers and acquisitions within the sector. Furthermore, Birkenstock's partnership with Mattel on the "Barbie" film indicates that toy manufacturers may be looking beyond traditional toy sales to diversify their revenue streams, potentially including tie-ups with other industries.
