Business leaders in Birmingham are urging Kraft Foods to spell
out their plans should their bid for Cadbury be successful.
Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (BCI), is seeking clarification on several
issues to ensure that Cadbury "continues to make a positive
contribution to our business life".
Mr Blackett has written to Irene Rosenfeld, chairman and chief
executive of Kraft pointing out that Cadbury is a great British
success story.
He adds: "It is crucial for Birmingham and the West Midlands
that Cadbury continues to make a positive contribution to our
business life, including maintaining levels of employment and
investment in research and development.
"Whilst it is easy to understand the manifold attractions of
purchasing Cadbury PLC with its track record in growth and profits,
a takeover that did not add value to the company and by extension
to the West Midlands' economy could destabilise its existing
operations and current success.
"As such, I would like to ascertain from you what a successful
Kraft Food Inc bid for Cadbury PLC would do to make the business
even more compelling and competitive as well as understand more
clearly your plans for its West Midlands' operations.
"I am also keen to secure your assurances that you will seek to
resolve Kraft Food Inc's interest in Cadbury PLC as speedily as
possible to avoid damaging uncertainty, which is all the more
important given the poor global economic outlook."