Report: Herff Jones set to be sold for $1.5 billion
Class ring maker Herff Jones is set to be acquired by a private-equity group for about $1.5 billion, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the deal.
Mergers & Acquisitions
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Maker of class rings may fetch $1 billion
Herff Jones might be on the verge of a sale for as much as $1 billion. The 94-year-old maker of class rings and yearbooks, quietly renamed Varsity Brands Inc. in June, has hired the investment banking firm Jefferies to explore a sale, unidentified sources told Reuters.
European regulators OK Lilly’s $5.4B Novartis deal
The European Union's antitrust authority has approved the $5.4 billion sale of Novartis' animal health division to Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and Co.
UPDATE: Angie’s suitors could include Amazon, Yelp, IAC
Amazon has been developing its own local services marketplace. Yelp is the leading consumer-review service in the retail space. Website Holding company IAC, meanwhile, has a big stash of cash and owns competitor HomeAdvisor.com.
LDI acquisition could be latest springboard for growth
Indianapolis-based private investment company LDI Ltd. has acquired a small biotech manufacturer in a deal it says could be the launching point for many more acquisitions.
Simon spinoff plans $4.3B merger with Ohio mall firm
Washington Prime Group Inc. has agreed to buy Glimcher Realty Trust of Columbus, Ohio, in a deal valued at about $4.3 billion when including assumed debt. As part of the transaction, Simon Property Group will acquire two malls for $1.09 billion in cash.
Demise of Radio Disney causing static; local station in play
Walt Disney Co. announced earlier this month that it would sell its 23 radio stations that target children ages 3 to 15. The only Radio Disney outpost on the FM dial, WRDZ-FM 98.3 in Indianapolis, could be particularly sought after if the stations are sold individually.
Insurance agencies Shepherd, Consolidated merge
Two local insurance agencies with long histories and well-known leaders have merged, creating a firm with eight Indiana offices, 145 agents and more than 160 employees.
Lilly among those eyeing antibiotic maker Cubist, analyst says
The rising threat from drug-resistant germs and increasing calls from global health groups for more potent antibiotics is placing a premium on companies such as Cubist. The $4.8 billion drug developer is preparing to introduce four new medicines by 2020.
Mainstreet’s Turner to sell REIT in $2.3B deal
HealthLease Properties REIT, which is led by Mainstreet Property’s Zeke Turner, will be sold to Ohio-based Health Care REIT Inc., along with 17 projects Mainstreet has under construction. The deal includes 45 future projects.
KAR Auction Services makes $30M acquisition
Carmel-based KAR Auction Services Inc., which released a solid quarterly earnings report Tuesday, acquired a 50-percent stake in Toronto-based Nth Gen Software Inc., which makes the TradeRev automotive remarketing system.
WRTV Channel 6 parent grows in major media merger
Journal Communications Inc. and E.W. Scripps Co. have an agreement to merge broadcasting operations while spinning off newspaper holdings into a separate public entity, the companies announced late Wednesday.
Hunt Construction acquired by L.A. engineering firm
The city’s largest construction contractor, whose local projects include Lucas Oil Stadium and the JW Marriott hotel, has been acquired by Los Angeles-based engineering firm Aecom Technology Corp.
First Merchants acquires Noblesville-based bank
Muncie-based First Merchants Corp. has agreed to acquire Noblesville-based Community Bancshares Inc. for about $46 million in stock, the companies announced Tuesday.
ExactTarget acquisition boosted Indy’s tech mojo, local execs say
Near the first anniversary of ExactTarget’s $2.5 billion purchase by Salesforce.com, local tech gurus explain how the acquisition lifted all ships by bringing new prestige, investment and expertise to the city.
Telemon unit acquires automotive manufacturer
Westbrook Mfg., founded in 1977, makes electro-mechanical assemblies and wiring harnesses for the automotive industry at its manufacturing plant in Fresnillo, Mexico. The company has about 400 workers.
OneAmerica acquires California retirement business
OneAmerica Financial Partners Inc. announced Wednesday that it will acquire a San Diego-based retirement business, gaining access to another large market.
Carmel firm acquired by Silicon Valley company
Anacore Inc., which develops software for touch-screen programs, has been acquired by Prysm Inc., a San Jose, Calif.-based company that makes big-screen video walls that use Anacore’s technology.
Medtronic to acquire device maker Covidien for $42.9B
Medtronic Inc., the second-largest maker of medical devices, will be based in Ireland after the acquisition for tax advantages.
Sale ends 83-year run for Indy’s Harlan Laboratories
Whether the merger of the former rivals is good for Indianapolis will play out in the coming months. Huntingdon has 1,200 employees, most of them in the United Kingdom and Princeton, N.J. Harlan has about 2,300 employees worldwide, including 300 locally.